Russ McDermid
Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2011
- Location
- Chiang Mai & Hereford, UK.
- Bikes
- Honda Transalp XL700VA in the UK, and a CRF250L & V-strom in Thai.
russ 6 day rd.jpg[/attachment:31f9t334]
We headed out from CMX on the 108, with the valves bouncing all the way. Caught up with them in Hot where before I could catch their names, we were off again. Heard lunch was in Sariang and with some twisties coming up, the KLX was in with a chance of getting me there in time for the second course.
We split up for lunch to ensure we got served that day, and I ended up sitting next to a nice scouser (really !) called John. Later on he was going to achieve fame on our tour.
After lunch we took the 105 to our evening stop in Mae Sot. I was pedalling as fast as I could to catch up, when a friendly policeman flagged me down for "bad accident"... I soon recognised familiar bikes, jackets & helmets, and saw a very sorry looking ER6 lying in the field.
KTM Phil has the accident covered in a separate report, but suffice to say, John had over-cooked it on a bend and slid into & under a Songtuay.
Me & Jeff went ambulance chasing, and caught up with John at the local Government hospital, where he was undergoing major surgery - two aspirins & a splint ! Brings back memories of breaking my leg in Mae Sae last year, and nice not to be the centre of attraction in the Emergency Room this time.
Atfter doing all we could for John, we rode somewhat cautiously onto Mae Sot for a night at what the gang called the Teak Hotel, or First Hotel as its correctly known.
Day 2 - Some of the boyz got off to an early start while the remainder went for breakfast, followed by a visit to check on John in Mae Sot General Hospital. It was good see him in a much better state so we left him in the care of some pretty Thai nurses, and his girlfriend !
Heading out on the 105, we made for our next overnight stop at Loei. Passed a very happy looking cow, being taken for a drive.
After a few twisties, the road begins to straighten as it makes for Phitsanulok. It was at this stage the boyz opened the throttles, and I got a SMS from my engine “don’t even think about it !” So, I laid back in the saddle, jammed the throttle at 90kmh, and started to plan the evenings activities.
Eventually the long boring straights, turned into some twisty stuff after Phitsanulok and a road change to Hwy 12. Passed the Rain Forest resort (N16.86340 E100.62893) where I stayed on a previous occasion, and can recommend it; about 1200 Bht/night for a cabin, but the setting is very unique and I see Lonely Planet also rate it. Its right on the main road and easy to find.
Shortly after I turn onto the 2013 for Nakon Thai where I finally catch up with the boyz just finishing their lunch. Apparently I was only about 20 mins behind them, but I reckon it was less and they just eat like ravenous pigs ! Nice place for lunch next to the PTT (N17.10890 E100.85121).
I let the boyz go on to let my food go down, and to speak to the pretty girl who runs it, whose English is very good for someone this far in the sticks.
Caught up with a rather overloaded pick-up….. is she going over ??
Made it into Loei and checked into the King Hotel, where there was some confusion and they gave me the key to Jeff’s room…. Oh, the missed opportunity ! Finally got my own room, which was very nice, even if for the princely sum of 500 Bht. Shower, shit, & a shave, then found a bar, while the boyz finished off their beauty treatments, or massage as they call it.
That evening, I discovered the delights of Robot Nightclub ! It would be good to provide a detailed account of the evening, but piecing together the various bits of feedback just add to the confusion…. and the bit about disappearing at 4am on the back of a scooter driven by a lady-boy, just can’t be true…. Was it ?
Day 3
9.30am - The phone goes… it’s Jeff. “Were leaving now”. I roll over and grunt “See you in Nan”. Back to sleep.
12.00 noon – Reception; “would you like another night, Sir”. Ah, bugger it, better get on the road…. now where is this place they call Nan.
“Sally Satnav” comes to the rescue, telling me its 7 hours away. No way, never believe a woman !
She was right, and tells me I rode (rather briskly) via the 203-2294-1268-2195-1241-1123-1083-1026 and finally the 101 into Nan, if anyone is that interested. The days riding was cracking, going through some beautiful National Parks, complete with interesting signs….
Naturally I put my brakies on as I approached.
Fuelled up at some village where any big bike always attracts attention from the kids, who must get pretty bored.
Ended up in Nan a few mins before nightfall, after one of the best rides ever, and only a sore arse to show for it …. and No, I’m not referring to the activities at the lady-boy bar, either !
Stayed at the ever popular “Grand Mansion” hotel (N18.78632 E100.77694)
Although an exploratory visit to Fifth Nightclub was conducted, it was early and the place empty. So, 2 beers listening to some Thai band in a bar opposite, then bed.
Day 4 – Destination Chiang Rai. I decide that it might be nice to try and ride with the boyz today, and with a more relaxed pace, coupled with plenty of bends, Im in with a chance. We take the 1080 out of Nan, then onto the 1148 where the twisty stuff really starts. And now at least I have somebody to take photos of …..
Go to Part 2.......
We headed out from CMX on the 108, with the valves bouncing all the way. Caught up with them in Hot where before I could catch their names, we were off again. Heard lunch was in Sariang and with some twisties coming up, the KLX was in with a chance of getting me there in time for the second course.
We split up for lunch to ensure we got served that day, and I ended up sitting next to a nice scouser (really !) called John. Later on he was going to achieve fame on our tour.
After lunch we took the 105 to our evening stop in Mae Sot. I was pedalling as fast as I could to catch up, when a friendly policeman flagged me down for "bad accident"... I soon recognised familiar bikes, jackets & helmets, and saw a very sorry looking ER6 lying in the field.
KTM Phil has the accident covered in a separate report, but suffice to say, John had over-cooked it on a bend and slid into & under a Songtuay.
Me & Jeff went ambulance chasing, and caught up with John at the local Government hospital, where he was undergoing major surgery - two aspirins & a splint ! Brings back memories of breaking my leg in Mae Sae last year, and nice not to be the centre of attraction in the Emergency Room this time.
Atfter doing all we could for John, we rode somewhat cautiously onto Mae Sot for a night at what the gang called the Teak Hotel, or First Hotel as its correctly known.
Day 2 - Some of the boyz got off to an early start while the remainder went for breakfast, followed by a visit to check on John in Mae Sot General Hospital. It was good see him in a much better state so we left him in the care of some pretty Thai nurses, and his girlfriend !
Heading out on the 105, we made for our next overnight stop at Loei. Passed a very happy looking cow, being taken for a drive.
After a few twisties, the road begins to straighten as it makes for Phitsanulok. It was at this stage the boyz opened the throttles, and I got a SMS from my engine “don’t even think about it !” So, I laid back in the saddle, jammed the throttle at 90kmh, and started to plan the evenings activities.
Eventually the long boring straights, turned into some twisty stuff after Phitsanulok and a road change to Hwy 12. Passed the Rain Forest resort (N16.86340 E100.62893) where I stayed on a previous occasion, and can recommend it; about 1200 Bht/night for a cabin, but the setting is very unique and I see Lonely Planet also rate it. Its right on the main road and easy to find.
Shortly after I turn onto the 2013 for Nakon Thai where I finally catch up with the boyz just finishing their lunch. Apparently I was only about 20 mins behind them, but I reckon it was less and they just eat like ravenous pigs ! Nice place for lunch next to the PTT (N17.10890 E100.85121).
I let the boyz go on to let my food go down, and to speak to the pretty girl who runs it, whose English is very good for someone this far in the sticks.
Caught up with a rather overloaded pick-up….. is she going over ??
Made it into Loei and checked into the King Hotel, where there was some confusion and they gave me the key to Jeff’s room…. Oh, the missed opportunity ! Finally got my own room, which was very nice, even if for the princely sum of 500 Bht. Shower, shit, & a shave, then found a bar, while the boyz finished off their beauty treatments, or massage as they call it.
That evening, I discovered the delights of Robot Nightclub ! It would be good to provide a detailed account of the evening, but piecing together the various bits of feedback just add to the confusion…. and the bit about disappearing at 4am on the back of a scooter driven by a lady-boy, just can’t be true…. Was it ?
Day 3
9.30am - The phone goes… it’s Jeff. “Were leaving now”. I roll over and grunt “See you in Nan”. Back to sleep.
12.00 noon – Reception; “would you like another night, Sir”. Ah, bugger it, better get on the road…. now where is this place they call Nan.
“Sally Satnav” comes to the rescue, telling me its 7 hours away. No way, never believe a woman !
She was right, and tells me I rode (rather briskly) via the 203-2294-1268-2195-1241-1123-1083-1026 and finally the 101 into Nan, if anyone is that interested. The days riding was cracking, going through some beautiful National Parks, complete with interesting signs….
Naturally I put my brakies on as I approached.
Fuelled up at some village where any big bike always attracts attention from the kids, who must get pretty bored.
Ended up in Nan a few mins before nightfall, after one of the best rides ever, and only a sore arse to show for it …. and No, I’m not referring to the activities at the lady-boy bar, either !
Stayed at the ever popular “Grand Mansion” hotel (N18.78632 E100.77694)
Although an exploratory visit to Fifth Nightclub was conducted, it was early and the place empty. So, 2 beers listening to some Thai band in a bar opposite, then bed.
Day 4 – Destination Chiang Rai. I decide that it might be nice to try and ride with the boyz today, and with a more relaxed pace, coupled with plenty of bends, Im in with a chance. We take the 1080 out of Nan, then onto the 1148 where the twisty stuff really starts. And now at least I have somebody to take photos of …..
Go to Part 2.......
