216 KM Houay Xai To A Wet Night In The Jungle

[bsacbob]

Well not quite, next Saturday i head off for a nice ride in Laos, should be fun since breaking my wrist earlier in the year, here is my intended route with a few deviations along the way and a little music for you guy's to get you in the spirit.

Will try to cross at Chiang Khong by bridge and if knocked back Marcel has kindly offered to piggyback the bike in the back of his pickup.



[video=youtube_share;xqmFxgEGKH0]http://youtu.be/xqmFxgEGKH0[/video]

 

[Lone Rider]

That is quite a ride - most probably will be crossing into Laos on Saturday as well on my way to Phongsali, the Chinese border and the Nam Ou.

 

[crs]

Have a good'un, Bob.

 

[KTMphil]

How many km Bob?

 

[Pounce]

I'll take a punt & say 4 weeks, maybe 4000klm's?
Chok dee Bob

 

[The Bigfella]

Enjoy, Bob.

I'll be there in about a month. CNX in a couple of weeks and then into Laos

 

[KMA]

Enjoy Bob and keep the rubber side down!!

 

[bsacbob]

I'll take a punt & say 4 weeks, maybe 4000 km's?
Chok dee Bob

Route comes out at around 3400 KM's i reckon on 16 days give or take a week or so...

 

[bsacbob]

Huay Xai Day 1 216 KM Houay Xai to Wet Night





GpxViewer


Arranged to meet up with my friend Auke and together we would cross the new bridge at Chiang Khong, i was wearing my best smile for the day and fingers crossed.
Initially, the immigration guy was OK for me to cross alone and pay 1000 baht for the escort. There was squeaking on his radio and then he changed his mind and told me i would have to use the ferry, around the same time a minibus full of Thais showed up for pictures with the staff so i guess if they hadn’t shown up i would have been sorted.

I then asked if i could put my bike in a pickup and he was ok with that idea.









Big smiles and looks of disbelief as myself and Auke enlisted some locals to bump the bike in the pickup, i sat with the bike for the crossing immigration and customs thought it was highly amusing.





















Back on the Laos side we drove into town for a coffee and baguette from the paper bagged-faced owner of the Riverside GH (note to self never to stop there) and we parted company.








Onto the trail, one of my favourites, nice easy run along the Mekong, some evidence of the landslides that had Phil turning back at the end of the rainy season, but otherwise it was relatively unchanged from last year.
















Lovely views along the way.












































Xiengdao Stupa.

















If you time it right this is a great trail which i am sure will end up paved someday.



























Since i was making good time i arrived at Xiang Kok and intended to head to the new friendship bridge between Laos and Myanmar to get some pictures for Auke, at the same time do the trail heading East from Xiang Kok coming into Long from the North. I stopped for some gas and heard the rumble of thunder so decided to hit the trail and miss the bridge out and push past the storm.











If you haven’t done this trail then you should, it’s a great mix of single and dual track and was pushing along at a great pace UNTIL i heard the sound of the torrential rain coming behind me even through my helmet.









The trail turned into the oncoming storm and that was the end of my riding day. It rained like a bitch and hailstone too, in seconds the trial was unrideable and now resembled a flowing river not a trail.

















Frantically tried to find a spot under cover but it was impossible, about then i was kicking myself as i had passed through a small village a few km’s back and could have had a nice night !!







I walked slipping and sliding down the hill from where i had managed to find a spot to rest the bike in search of some cover as it was getting dark, with nowhere to sling a hammock just bamboo scrub.

Then i noticed an old farmer's bamboo shelter, it was semi-complete and most of the floor was gone but it would have to do.













So imagine the scenario i am totally pissed wet through, i hiked back up the hill (twice) to unpack my bike which had fallen over in the now mud and left the bike, i figured nobody could even get near it, let alone steal it.

So now i’m trying to get a square peg in a round hole the tarp and the hammock are way too big for the bamboo hotel, i managed to rig it up in a fashion.

I jumped in fully clothed boots and all (time about 18.30) it was going to be a long night. As darkness fell i was shaking like a leaf with cold so whipped out my sleeping bag and in no time at all it was as wet as me.

That was the longest night of my life and doubt if i got 30 minutes of sleep cursing and muttering to myself as my day one came to a damp conclusion.

 

[LivinLOS]

You have just validated every choice of mine to spend my nights in at least accommodation, instead of the bivvy option.

 

[Lightemup]

Ahh, but then you miss out on the stories of how these nights was spent.
But then again, knowing you, there will be other stories about these nights LOL

Seems like you had a great time, Bob

 

[bsacbob]

Well it wasn't quite how I planned but then again nothing ever is ☺

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[2wheels]

Struth Bob; puts a new meaning to 'wet dreams'!
Perhaps we need an annual 'Roughing It' award.

 

[The Bigfella]

Geez Bob... I'd have at least snuggled up and kept you warm.... as long as you didn't tell anyone

 

[brake034]

It actually scares me you drive alone, as there is no fall back scenario, no band of brothers around you to help you.

I was really happy to see you safe and sound back at our place and I still owe you that bottle of Maa Jai Dum!

 

[Captain_Slash]

Rather you than me sleeping out there soaking wet Bob

 

[lakota]

I guess the Hardship made the rest of the trip sweeter and you more determined to complete it. At that stage and so early in your journey you could have just bugged out with your Tail between your legs and gone home . shame you couldn't have got some rain gear on and kept dry (ish) , easier said than done I know.

A goretex or similar type Bivi bag with your sleeping bag already stuffed inside may be the answer for next time but probably a bit bulky

 

[Lone Rider]

Huay Xai Day 1 216 KM Houay Xai to Wet Night

Big smiles and looks of disbelieve as myself and Auke enlisted some locals to bump the bike in the pick up, i sat with the bike for the crossing immigration and customs thought it was highly amusing.

Guess that not everyone shares in the spoils of the 1000 Baht they are charging to cross the bridge by bike. There were lots of smiles at customs and immigration when we drove off to the other side. The guys who collect the bridge toll (50 Baht for cars), when we asked how much it was for the bike to cross, were almost rolling with laughter when they said that the bike could cross for free.

 

[bsacbob]

Guess that not everyone shares in the spoils of the 1000 Baht they are charging to cross the bridge by bike. There were lots of smiles at customs and immigration when we drove off to the other side. The guys who collect the bridge toll (50 Baht for cars), when we asked how much it was for the bike to cross, were almost rolling with laughter when they said that the bike could cross for free.

Think they found the whole thing bewildering.

I guess the Hardship made the rest of the trip sweeter and you more determined to complete it. At that stage and so early in your journey you could have just bugged out with your Tail between your legs and gone home . shame you couldn't have got some rain gear on and kept dry (ish) , easier said than done I know.

A goretex or similar type Bivi bag with your sleeping bag already stuffed inside may be the answer for next time but probably a bit bulky

The problem was i got wet so quickly any kind of sleep system would have just as uncomfortable.

 

[crs]

The problem was i got wet so quickly any kind of sleep system would have just as uncomfortable.

You ought to of got your wet kit off and strung up then slipped into your nightie before climbing into your trusty sleeping bag/hammock/tarp rig, Mr Bob... A quick squirt of mossy repellant and that should have done. You could have scared off any night-time prowlers easy enough with a quick flash of ass. :kat

 

[KTMphil]

You ought to of got your wet kit off and strung up then slipped into your nightie before climbing into your trusty sleeping bag/hammock/tarp rig, Mr Bob... A quick squirt of mossy repellant and that should have done. You could have scared off any night-time prowlers easy enough with a quick flash of ass. :kat

I'm sold on my new cuben fiber tarp. Slept like baby and perfect temperature for the 1am to 6am critical period.

 

[lakota]

your right CRS, he should have got his wet kit off and slept in a pair of 'technical underpants' rather than a nightie with the added Bivi bag would have done the trick. but it's all hindsight when you've reached that stage where your prepared to sleep in your boots.

I've not slept in my boots for a long while , but remember the times vividly. at least in the UK you can grab a sheep to make the experience more bearable :

 

[bsacbob]

I can just see it i wake up in the morning and some twat has pinched my gear and i have ride in my nightie for the next 14 days

 

[lakota]

Thanks for the disturbing thought :kat

I guess that's where the Cuban tarp would come in handy

 

[crs]

a pair of 'technical underpants'

Is that 'Essential minimalists gear check list for jungle trail tours' code for a g-string?

I guess, 'technically' they are underpants - and they would pack smallest... But, I'd still prefer to pack swimming trunks to cover various contingencies myself.

 

[bsacbob]

I'm more of a thong man myself Chris the G string chafes a bit

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[crs]

I'm more of a thong man myself Chris the G string chafes a bit

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So I've heard...

 

[Gnasher328]

Great tale. Back in UK less than 3 weeks and already getting 'homesick'. Can do without the heat and smog though!

 

[bsacbob]

Here is a short video along the Mekong.

Warning if you feeling down the music is MIke Oldfield (sorry)

[video=youtube_share;cukXP6dzrPk]http://youtu.be/cukXP6dzrPk[/video]

 

[lakota]

Surprisingly Tubular bells really works. these Video's really take you with them. thanks for taking the time to do it.

 

[fabianfred]

I remember when Tubular Bells first came out... great stuff ..

 

[bsacbob]

Glad it brought back memories Fred :MJ

 

[bigntall]

Bob - Just getting started on your ride report. This is starting to look like a classic with a bivy already on the first day. I can't wait to read the rest of the report.

Hooked up with Chris and Rom in Chiang Rai last night sorry we called you too late to change your plans. next time.

 

[bsacbob]

No problem Justin, always a next time.