Is Chiang Mai the next great cycling destination?

Compared to western cities Chiang Mai is quite small, although it is fast expanding. With a population of roughly 150,000 Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand. It was once the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom of northern Thailand and the city earned the nickname the “Rose of the North” from its beautiful surroundings and cooler climate (compared to Bangkok at least).