As a physician at the busy Ubonrak Thonburi Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani, Dr Chaweng Likkasit sees plenty of patients suffering from such mode-day diseases as diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure and obesity.

Rather than prescribe them lots of different medications, he tells them to get on a bicycle.

"Of course, I don't actually provide them with bicycles though it's probably not a bad idea," he says laughing, during a break in the recent Trek Shimano Probike Century Ride.

"Those who suffer from these chronic diseases usually have them for life as there are no miracle cures. Drugs can control the symptoms and perhaps prevent life-threatening episodes such as heart attack or stroke, but they can't solve the underlying problems. A doctor will recommend that the patient changes his or her diet, limits food intake and starts exercising. I suggest they take up cycling to help their metabolism."

Chaweng acknowledges, however, that most people prefer swallowing pills to exercising, an attitude he deplores.

"It's vital that people with these chronic diseases take exercise seriously as it decreases the number of pills they need to take while increasing the production of hormones."

The 53-year-old physician has always been an enthusiastic sportsman, enjoying running, jogging, tennis, badminton and shooting. In 2005, he tued to cycling as an efficient way to bu excess calories, shed body fat and improve cardiovascular health while taking in the great outdoors.


Bicycling also works to strengthen the core of the body, as well as the abdominal and back muscles. A strong core is essential for good balance and posture, and beneficial for all the activities of our daily lives.

"I knew I was getting older - I could feel it in my body. My shoulder was painful from playing tennis and my heels and knees hurt from jogging even after I bought the best running shoes. A young colleague suggested I try riding a bike and it took off from here," he says.

He paid more than Bt10,000 for his first Trek mountain bike and because he didn't want to be a burden to other riders, cycled alone through the countryside early in the moing. Within a couple of months, he was ready to join a group.

"A mountain bike is the way to start because our roads are not too smooth. It's easier to ride than a road bike and can go everywhere. As soon as I felt confident enough, I changed to a new and more efficient bike. All exercise is good for the health, but cycling adds friendship, the chance to socialise and have fun and sightsee at the same time."

In 2011, Chaweng set up the Ubonrak Cycling Club. Starting with just 10 members, it now boasts 35 regular riders, among them senior officers, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and accountants from the hospital as well as civil servants and businessmen of all ages. Road trips are organised every second and fourth Sunday of the month.

"We're always trying to recruit more members by uploading pictures and videos on our Facebook page and to YouTube. We also asked the hospital's savings and loan cooperatives to provide Bt15,000 credit to purchase bicycles and safety gear and allow repayment in 15 instalments. We're planning to form a group of a volunteers to ride out to rural health stations and villages and raise awareness about the health benefits," he says.

The Ubonrak Thonburi Hospital physician has taken part in the quarterly Trek Shimano Probike Century Ride since 2010. Today, he is moulding himself into a "domestique", the term used for a road racer who works for the benefit of his team.

"The Century Ride is very motivating," says Chaweng, who now rides a Trek Madone road bike. "It's a great way of seeing new places and making new friends. I also want to improve. When I started cycling, I fell and was bitten by a dog. Since tuing professional, I've fractured five ribs and hurt my fingers. That's sheer carelessness on my part!"

As both physician and rider, he's pleased to see an ever-increasing number of people taking up cycling.

"I think people are becoming aware that cycling is healthy and bike distributors are also organising more activities to persuade people to tu to cycling. I think that's terrific."


source:NST