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Stampede Underground

The Passion Behind the Scene in Chiang Mai

Harry Virtanen

Though rapidly changing and maturing, bicycle culture as we know it in North America is well established. Some alleycats and recycled bike coops are well into their second decade, Critical Mass has come and gone from many a city’s radar as mainstream cycling advocacy has gained a political foothold. While bikes as transportation tools are common throughout Thailand, western style urban bike culture is just beginning to make an influence. Eighteen year old Kan Kyi Curwen’s passion for cycling has had a direct impact on a small underground scene in his hometown of Chiang Mai through his Stampede Underground events. Here we dicuss his cycling experience and the future of the culture in Chiang Mai.

When did you start biking?

I only started biking two years ago, I used to run 15 km a day. That’s how I would get around, I would jog everywhere, and my friends asked me why I don’t get a bike. So I thought why not and bought myself a really old bike and I rode it for a year. I rode it until everything was falling apart, so I bought a new one. That summer I rode to Laos, Cambodia and back here, the last day I rode 400 km.

What was your inspiration for the underground stampede race?

This race was inspired by the fixed gear culture and it was about having fun. I was watching a video called