A peripatetic south to Surin to see Bikesncats

[KTMphil]

We'd been planning to head there a week ago for the Prasat Bike Week but due to some mechanical problems with the bikes, it had to be delayed.


With some free time on our hands & seasonal transition progress, it should be a beautiful ride south through Isaan.





DSC_1769_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







...more to come

 

[KTMphil]

A delayed 1st day with flat tires, looked like a split valve stem. The Metzler Karoo 3's ride reall well flat we found out, did not break the bead with a 6km ride flat

In fact the guys as the bike shop could break the bead with a vise, they had to take the wheel to a car tire changer to get it off, turns out the rim tape had been installed incorrectly

Great mechanic by the way, location:



N18.28523



E99.51450

 

[KTMphil]

A fun night in Phrae, then a scoot along the Laos border through the Phu Soi Dao National Park


DSC_1675_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





The rivers still silt brown but starting to empty out


DSC_1676_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Another fun night in Udon, starving, the Irish Clock does a great mixed grill

 

[KTMphil]

The Phrathat Si Mongkhon Stupa on R 227, somewhat unusual



DSC_1679_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1680_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1682_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1681_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Further along the same road, we started to question if we were going the right way, Mr. Garmin said don't worry, so we carried on. After a squall this would have been a chuckle for sure

DSC_1684_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1683_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Surin, went fancy with a 1,000 Bht a night hotel, ok value for how good the room was



DSC_1686_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1685_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





There's a decent German restaurant just around the corner, who stocks a vast array of German pickled products. Food is good would go back.

A look out of the Surin hotel window in the morning, it doesn't get much flatter than this




DSC_1687_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Headed from Surin to check out the new Buriram Race Circuit, we stumbled upon this new beauty, very tastefully done


DSC_1688_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




DSC_1702_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1690_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1692_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1693_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1695_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1696_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1697_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1698_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1699_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1700_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1703_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1704_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1706_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

It's only about 65km west of Surin to get to the Buriram International Circuit, "The destination of speed"


DSC_1711_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





The owner also owns the Buriram FC soccer club and stadium which is on the same huge premises





DSC_1707_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





The first race is on 5th or 6th December 2014, we were not allowed to ride around the track




DSC_1708_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1710_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr








Work was frantically underway



DSC_1712_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1713_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1714_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1716_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1718_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

We'd made arrangements with Alex & he had the piglet marinating in a beer concoction



DSC_1728_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1729_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





All his dogs had a great temperament and looked healthy. watch how someone treats animals, tells you a lot about the person.


DSC_1730_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1731_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







His house is over a lake, making for some fun fishing



DSC_1732_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Time to get that piglet cooked



DSC_1744_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1746_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Motorcycle luggage always spurs some interesting debates




DSC_1747_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





A great evening

 

[KTMphil]

Said our goodbyes and headed northwest, the plan initially was the Loei area, which then changed to Khao Kho, Phetchabun.



Near Dan Khun Thot, Korat, a new little beauty nearly finished


DSC_1751_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1753_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




DSC_1754_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1756_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1757_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Beautiful emerald Buddha inside



DSC_1763_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




DSC_1759_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

North to Phetchabun & west to Khao Kho, the scenery gets beautiful



DSC_1766_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd....9_10153329030358345_7313326887119857063_o.jpg




Into Khao Kho and we look around looking for the best camping spot. View Suai Ta Ley Mor seems to be the best with a smokin view. .... more on this camp site in detail in the link below:



http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...accessible-motorcycle-thailand.html#post48077




Sun was getting low, needed to click our heels and get rigged up for the night



DSC_1773_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1774_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





My Mountain Hardware Viper 2 tent


DSC_1776_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Bob's MSR Hubba Hubba, which has one of the highest ratings as an adventure tent



DSC_1777_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Beautiful view as the sun went down


DSC_1778_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Inflatable sleeping pad, one of the most important things to keep you insulated and comfortable



DSC_1779_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Ban Rut Ta Nai Reservoir

DSC_1780_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr








DSC_1783_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

We woke up to this stunning sea of mist

DSC_1796_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Many boutique resorts in the region which get away with charging 5,000 Bht a night



DSC_1799_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1801_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







Got the Swedish Army alcohol stove out and made a cup of tea to enjoy this scenery




DSC_1805_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1806_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1808_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1804_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1802_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






By 8am it was almost all gone




DSC_1809_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[bsacbob]

Great to catch up with Alex. Safe to say he's a dog lover, two of them are expecting so should make life interesting.



Unusual roof shape



BMW fitted with Karoo 3 tyres, very pleased so far



Beautiful Buddha



A Buddha within a Buddha



Whilst at Alex's home i had the opportunity to visit his local Wat



Very interesting Cambodian style architecture








Funeral in progress of very well respected local monk



On the way back home we stopped at some very nice campsites, this one had spectacular views

 

[KTMphil]

Wat Khao Kho Pattanaram, an amusing collection of signage


DSC_1810_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Great place to eat in Khao Kho that really hustles, co-ords:



N16.64711


E101.01139




DSC_1811_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





Excellent pork steak



DSC_1812_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1813_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Leaving Khao Kho, more great views



DSC_1815_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



DSC_1814_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





In for gas, someone asked if this could turn into a magic carpet?



DSC_1816_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Bob's bike was losing coolant and the overheating light came on. Was pretty difficult to identify the leak, but look like it was coming from the waterpump

DSC_1817_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

There was a campsite near Phrae Bob had seen before, so we aimed for that as tonight's camping spot



DSC_1824_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





More detail on the camp site below, its a good one.



http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...accessible-motorcycle-thailand.html#post48073




Right next to the Yom River, a nice spot


DSC_1823_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




We didnt have time to explore, but the NP map looks like there's plenty to see here



DSC_1829_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1830_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






New Exped inflatable sleeping pad on its first trip. I dont like it, the tubes running longitudinally are not as comfortable as the Thermarest Neo Air which run across your body





DSC_1831_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






DSC_1832_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






Ready for the 2am-5am cold but it didnt come. Only a liner was needed to sleep in


DSC_1833_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1834_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





DSC_1836_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr





The Old Ban Ngao, iron suspension bridge, now only open to foot passengers



DSC_1838_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr







DSC_1839_edited by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr






So, a successful trip, Bob has an intermittent cooling system issue, doesn't look too serious, everyone home safe

 

[bill]

Phil.Bob
What was the tire setup on the bike that had the flat.
Tubed wheels running tubeless tires, or fully tubeless with some sort of spoke sealing arrangement ?

 

[KTMphil]

Had tubes with rim tape

 

[merantau]

Great camera work. You capture the whole gamut of the ride. Photojournalism done skillfully. Made me want to be part of the trip. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bikesncats]

Great camera work. You capture the whole gamut of the ride. Photojournalism done skillfully. Made me want to be part of the trip. Thanks for sharing.

I must agree...I must have hundreds of pics of my dogs but not one single shot that is as good as the few Phil took. Amazing job with the camera I must say...makes me want to learn about photography.

 

[WarProfiteer]

Awesome TR Phil... looks like a great trip, despite a few difficulties.