A naked ride to Nan

[KTMphil]

4 naked bikes hoping for a gap in the previous 2 days torrential rain, so that we can blast from Chiang Mai to Nan and back, enjoying the dry race track.


West's Honda Hornet (a naked version of the Honda CBR 600 R). He says it's around 68 HP, I say a lot more from seeing what it can do on the hill climbs. Being 4 cylinder, it drinks the gas, from measuring consumption against the other bikes, it probably only gets 15km to 1 liter when ridden hard.


IMG_8205_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

Photo: West

 

[KTMphil]

So the fantastic Nan loop planned, outbound:


Chiang Mai - R 1001 - R 1150 - R 118 (to link to R 120) - R 120 - R 1 (to link to R 1021) - R 1021 - R 1251 - R 1091 - Nan




Return route:

Nan - R 1080 - R 1148 - R 1021 - R 1 - R 120 - R 118 - Chiang Mai



Interesting how similar the distances are for the two ways to Nan from Chiang Mai, see below:



cnx nan distance by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




The two routes we took on the map below:



nan loop map with txt by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



They're in the process of clearing a landslide on R 1150, watch out for the red road signs


IMG_8199_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Might have actually been nice to have some rain or at least cloud cover. Worried about the tanks boiling managed to find some shade even with the sun high in the sky at lunchtime

Everyone has a numb bum now, last stretch of R 1091 and we'll be there

Photo: Keld

 

[KTMphil]

The problem with most budget GH/ hotels is the beds. They are either too hard or filled with that coconut hair and feel very soft and strange. Bring in the BNW Hotel opposite Tony's Place in Nan. 500 bht with aircon, wifi & the beds are perfect, everyone agrees.

And not your usual, nasty Thai bathroom either, a pleasure to stay there

 

[KTMphil]

Called ahead and had arranged a monster sized roast dinner for everyone at Tony's Place in Nan.


First time Jim had been there and was amazed how good it was

Harry had been cutting wood all day & finished his in about 3 mouthfulls

All full and off to sleep it off. Next morning breakfast at Hot Bread in Nan. The ladies that own it are off to Iran for 6 weeks in a few days, so if they're shut you know why. "See you in July" they said as we left. The have good stock of Nan maps if you need one.

 

[KTMphil]

Onto the delicious R 1148, one of the best riding roads in SE Asia for sure.

 

[KTMphil]

The gas guzzling Hornet needed some juice, we hit the jackpot with a pump-up that had 95 benzine, 55 Bht a liter

Small rainshower on R 120 on the way back, apart from that, dry as a nuns, great 2 day ride had by all.








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[Loop]

the beds are perfect, everyone agrees.

I'll second that

When we were there in Jan it was 6*C outside and i went to bed with socks on until i warmed up!

 

[skeedary]

That is a great ride. That hotel the Ban naiwieng does has the most comfortable beds and glad you finally agree 555


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[KTMphil]

Something important I forgot to mention, in Chiang Kham (NW end of R 1148), there is now (again after the previous franchise closed) a KFC in the Tesco/ Lotus, its not been there long, brand new. Will be a great mid-way lunch stop between Chiang Mai & Nan.

 

[screamingeagle]

Something important I forgot to mention, in Chiang Kham (NW end of R 1148), there is now (again after the previous franchise closed) a KFC in the Tesco/ Lotus, its not been there long, brand new. Will be a great mid-way lunch stop between Chiang Mai & Nan.

Trust you to find it Phil!!
And a new up-market coffee and cake shop in the town centre making it 2 &1/2 and pretty good coffee.

 

[The Bigfella]

Great attitude from the owners at that hotel too. They saw I had issues starting the 525 when I was there (the start of the end for the main bearings)... and they volunteered to charge my bike battery. Dad broke out the biggest battery charger I've ever seen and seemed to enjoy helping.

 

[Loop]

^ the old man has an old Jeep and 1981 Honda GL500 Silver Wing parked in the property next door that he likes to show off.





Nice people.

 

[skeedary]

The Silver Wing looks in ok condition and wondered about the jeep.


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