The camp runs from 29 November to 6 December 2026. You arrive by noon on day one, get picked up at Chiang Mai International Airport by the group transfer, and spend the afternoon building your bike and having it checked over. There's an optional 30-minute spin to shake out the travel, then an evening briefing with the Barnowl crew before dinner.

The riding starts properly on day two: 50 km of fast flat roads to settle the group into its pace line, then the climb up Doi Suthep and on to the Doi Pui viewpoint, followed by the descent back into town. Day three is the first big mountain day, the Samoeng XL loop past Mon Cham, 108 km and 2,177 m. Day four eases off with a 96 km flat loop north through Mae Rim, past the Elephant Camp and back along Canal Road through farmland. Day five heads east to Mae Kampong, a mountain village with cafés and quiet roads, for 104 km and 1,250 m.

Day six is the hardest of the week: the Samoeng Mega loop, 126 km with 2,791 m of climbing, sustained ascents and technical descents. Pacing and eating on the bike matter here. Day seven you join the Saturday 55 Club ride, a fast local bunch ride of around 90 km out towards Chomthong and Tha Li, with a regroup stop mid-ride and a hard push home where speeds hit 45–50 km/h. The camp's second dinner is that evening. On the last morning you ride Doi Suthep one more time, a 30 km, 700 m outing, then return to shower, pack bikes with the crew's help, and take the group transfer to the airport.

What separates this from a typical cycling holiday is the approach. Most tours, including the operator's own others, carry a sag van. This one deliberately doesn't. The group rides together, regroups at key points, and the vehicle is there for supplies only. Riders who need to sit up and recover on their own will struggle. GPX files for every route are sent out before the camp so you can load your computer in advance.

Rides are led by the Barnowl team, who scout their routes themselves. The tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue. There's no on-road mechanical help during rides, so carry a tube, pump and basic tools. After each ride you get tech support at the hotel, which has secure bike storage and a dedicated wash bay with chain lube, a pump and tools.

Chiang Mai itself is a good base for a week like this. The old city has its moat, walls and temples, and the food scene is cheap and plentiful, from street stalls to cafés. Only two dinners are included, so most meals are yours to sort out, and the crew hand over a list of recommended local places at the start.

What's included

- Hotel stay in Chiang Mai (listed as 6 days / 5 nights) in twin or single room - 2 dinners - Bike setup on arrival - Daily post-ride tech support - Daily ride briefings - Group ride leadership by the Barnowl crew - GPX files for all routes, shared in advance - Support vehicle with water, fruit, electrolytes and essentials (not a sag vehicle) - Bike wash bay with chain lube, pump and basic tools - Secure bike storage - Bike packing help on departure day - Group airport transfer to the hotel on 29 Nov 2026 - Group airport transfer to the airport on 6 Dec 2026 - GST

What's not included

- International or domestic flights to/from Chiang Mai - Meals other than the 2 included dinners - Bike rental - On-road mechanical assistance during rides - Sag / pick-up support - Massage and recovery services - Laundry - Travel insurance - Personal expenses