A fast blast to Nan - 8 bikes

[KTMphil]

This was going to be a quick ride, 8 bikes all hoping for this fantastic route to be dry. We were blessed, basically dry all the way, even though we could see the black, moody clouds to either side of us.

 

[KTMphil]

Nice choices of machinery







...more to come

 

[KTMphil]

Mr Kelly rode down especially from Chiang Rai, he was a bit worried being the only one on a 250cc bike and knew it was a fast bunch

We had planned out a route the night before towards R 1148, taking the unusual shortcut of R 1092 instead of going through Chiang Kham (R 1021)

With a group that rides this fast, there's not much photo taking. You stop top admire the view and take a couple of snaps and you'll never catch up again.


IMG_8734_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






So this is what we ended up doing below:


map with txt by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

The Ducati Hypermotard isn't a good luggage carrying touring bike. Experimented with some Wolfman Luggage tank panniers and they did fine without frames. Pull them very high and the will stay in place.


WP_20140722_18_01_29_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




No need to have some racks made up, fantastic


WP_20140722_18_01_59_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





WP_20140722_18_01_42_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Dave's new Kawasaki Z 800 (right side)


IMG_8735_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



& below


IMG_8736_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





IMG_8737_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





A lot of the bikes had less than 200 km range, so to risk some fuel headaches we took on some pump up on R 1148, gave the pump up fuel lady a chuckle


IMG_8741_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





West filling up the Street Triple 675 R


IMG_8740_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Martin on the Africa Twin, Greg on the white Hypermotard\


IMG_8739_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Mr Kelly


IMG_8744_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





IMG_8738_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Fill up took a while winding that hand pump, West trying to stay cool in the shade, it's a pain for him to undress



IMG_8747_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Martin's first ride on his newly painted Africa Twin after it's engine rebuild


IMG_8748_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






IMG_8743_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Greg's Hypermotard 1100cc


IMG_8742_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







IMG_8746_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Got ahead of the second group and found a good corner on R 1148 for some leaning corner shots


IMG_8749_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Waited and waited and they didn't come, turned out that Martin's Africa Twin was burning oil heavily & cut out. It restarted but after a while, there was no oil level registering on the dipstick.




Edges of all our tires were pretty well scrubbed


IMG_8752_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





West's Pirelli Diablo rain track tires, super soft (He was secretly hoping for rain we think)


IMG_8753_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Greg went and took Martin some oil, the bike burned through 2 liters in 10km, so there wasn't much we could do, we took the back way into Nan, R 1081 - R 1169, much more enjoyable


r 1170 map with txt by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Martin turned up a little later. They had found a pickup that would take the bike from Nan back to Chiang Mai for 7,000 Bht

We'd called ahead and arranged dinner at Tony's Place, big roast was waiting for us, fantastic

There wasn't much talking for the next 10 minutes

 

[KTMphil]

R 1091 westwards the next morning, then Bob & I peeled off towards Chiang Rai (great immigration office there that's always empty).


The Kanlaya Hotel in Chiang Rai, near the gold clock tower is excellent for 600 Bht with aircon & wifi, great location


WP_20140724_19_57_45_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

Dinner in Chiang Rai on the Kok River at Chevit Thammada


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chivit-Thamma-Da-Coffee-House/178326392243321



Owned by a Swedish chap, it's very tastefully done. He has some interesting toys on display too.


WP_20140724_18_38_21_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



WP_20140724_18_41_46_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Really beautiful setting (bring mosquito spray)


WP_20140724_18_40_18_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




WP_20140724_18_52_43_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




WP_20140724_18_40_03_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Good salads

WP_20140724_19_09_18_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Huge measures of vodka


WP_20140724_18_55_20_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Beef was a little tough, on the menu as Angus, but not sure about that


WP_20140724_19_25_27_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Great decor inside


WP_20140724_19_42_56_Pro.jpg by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

The next day, time to head back to the big smoke. The back way on R 1211 takes you passed the Singha Farm, nice for a Kodak moment with your bike



IMG_8760_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8758_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8759_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




The new Buddha on R 118 is nearly finished, interesting that it has Burmese scripture, co-ords:



N19.47762

E99.48608





IMG_8762_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8763_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Nice views from the Buddha


IMG_8764_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8765_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Bike was pretty clean, might not need a wash when it gets back.



R 1150 changed all that, a new bridge under construction


IMG_8767_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Just missed the rain squall, the moisture lifting afterwards


IMG_8768_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




A few potholes still around on R 1150


IMG_8770_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Rain squall to the north


IMG_8771_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Vacuum behind the squall & great viz over the Phrao valley


IMG_8773_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




IMG_8774_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






IMG_8775_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

That's about it - We had great dry roads and a great bunch of guys for riding, one of the most fun road rides i've done in a long time.

 

[Gnasher328]

Looks good. How did the CRF fare in such company?

 

[KTMphil]

Tim, he screamed the knackers off it and kept up.

 

[Ally]

Nice pics Phil.

Ally

 

[Lightemup]

Great pics, Phil.

 

[The Bigfella]

Great stuff.

 

[WarProfiteer]

Very cool! Thanks for taking the pix & sharing...

 

[bsacbob]

Look's like you made the most of the ride back from Chiang Rai, amazed we never really got wet the whole trip