Chom Thong - Doi Tao October 2012

[Ally]

Took the canal road south to Sanpatong, then the 108 south to Chom Thong.

Great news, there is a new 7/11 & Amazon in the brand spanking new PTT on the southbound side of the 108 just before the Doi Inthanon junction.

Their Air Pump has been given a grand display case.


Just the other side of Chom Thong is the "Into the Garden" temple & Buddha image grounds, that you can see some of from the 108. It's still growing, the models have doubled in number since my last visit 3 years ago.

There was a massive ceremony going on at the temple and although the scene in the image looks tranquil, in reality it sounded like a day at Ascot race course of Camberley Car Auctions with the PA blaring loud conversation & prayers.




The road south of here is currently a mess. At times its almost 6 lanes across with no road markings and moments later it's single car width through unfinished construction. It will be a very fast road when finished. As it is, Hang Dong to Hot in 50 mins, I think that will be down to 40ish in a year.

Lunch at Hot and then onto Doi Tao.

There is water but by no means as much as a year ago. Letting the water flow down country earlier has perhaps made this difference. Today there was a lot of commotion from the very proud Bull, calling his herd. He was quite concerned about some stragglers that had not come down from the forest with him & the other 50 + so he was calling and running back up to the top to find the rest of his harem.


I never tire of the Doi Tao loop, the roads are relatively quiet and have many decent curves.

Up the 106 to Ban Hong and stopped at Phrakhru Ba Chao Si Wichai, anoth unusual in some respects temple with quite a mix of styles.






GpxViewer

Ally

 

[Just Bob]

For the rainy season your skies are looking pretty blue. Lighter rain this year or are you expecting more with the incoming storms? Hope to be there in 2-4 weeks.

 

[Ally]

Yes Bob, the days are bright, hot & skys are very blue.

Today there were a few showers in the east side of the ride but luckily I merely experienced a light misting on their periphery.

It's rained most evenings / overnight here in Chiang Mai for a while now, so no sign of a let up yet.

Get packing !!

Ally

 

[Captain_Slash]

No floods around the Doi Tao lake this year then Ally by the look of it

 

[KTMphil]

Interesting how low the resv'r is considering we're in the heart of rainy season, nice photo's Ally.

 

[Ally]

@ Phil & Colin

Yes indeed.

We hear in the media that northern reservoirs have this year been told to let the water flow earlier.

And we are constantly getting weather warnings, plus the skys still look ominous. So perhaps this year the late October rains won't do the damage down country they did last year.

Here was our ride last November to Doi Tao to see the high water there.

Ally

 

[harrygps]

Very very beautiful pictures. WOW, fantastic, Ally

 

[2wheels]

Nice Ally; those carvings are tremendous.

What's your opinion of the Versys after a few months of ownership?

 

[Ally]

Thanks Ron

Yes the wood carving panels on the doors of the main temple there are quite something. The themes of each panel are fascinating capsules. I like the car & train, very unusual to see in temple art work.

As for BB, the Versys was the right choice for me. I needed extra oomph than the 250 ranges and it certainly has that. I also bought it to stop myself going off road so much. And it certainly did that for me. The bike is too heavy and powerful to be messing about on loose or rough terrain.

On Sunday I rode BB with Took on her PCX, on her first real outing. I was therefore doing 40 - 60 much of the time. Gearing of the Versys means that you really need to be in 3rd or 4th and no higher at those speeds and that was quite a learning point for me.

Great bike.

:RO

Ally

 

[Captain_Slash]

I also bought it to stop myself going off road so much. And it certainly did that for me.



Ally

Thats sounds like the offroading is a thing of the past then Ally

 

[Loop]

The road south of here is currently a mess. At times its almost 6 lanes across with no road markings and moments later it's single car width through unfinished construction. It will be a very fast road when finished. As it is, Hang Dong to Hot in 50 mins, I think that will be down to 40ish in a year.Ally

Hi Ally,
When you say the road is a mess,does that mean it`s unsealed dirt? thinking of heading out there on my big Honda road bike but if there`s the risk of any mud might detour somewhere else.

 

[Ally]

Hi Ally,
When you say the road is a mess,does that mean it`s unsealed dirt? thinking of heading out there on my big Honda road bike but if there`s the risk of any mud might detour somewhere else.

Hi Loop

There is no mud surface except for what the trucks deposit when exiting side roads.

Perhaps I can detail the mess a bit more. There are long stretches of broad pristine tarmac approx 6 lanes wide. Lovely. Next moment, your back to 2 lane(old road surface) with the WTF!! 30cm wide trenches that cause convoys of traffic to form as the front vehicle slows, everyone bunches and the tail of the convoy gets longer as does the cloud of dust thrown up each time.

The non 6 lane stretch now has wide areas each side of it being graded. Corners are messy with plenty of loose just at the right spot to make you scream.

My approach is to get in front or well behind the traffic and ride cautiously through the corners. Of course, standing over the WTF strips makes life easier too

Have a great ride Loop.

Ally

 

[Loop]

Thanks for the info Ally.

 

[OlafJass]

Bought my Versys over a year ago. She's done 12000km so far. I've owned about 14 bikes in my life. Must say, the Versys is a top all rounder. I love this bike. A recent bike story, 4 bikes riding around the world (one gs1200). The only bike with "zero" problems.....yes, the Kawasaki Versys. Kawasaki build quality has improved 10 fold over the years, that I'm now hooked on them. Bought myself a second bike....Z1000....and guess what? Awesome machine

 

[OlafJass]

Very nice pictures Ally. What camera are you using? Looks like a nice trip. Maybe I'll do this route over the week end. Today rode another loop, on 11 to Lampang, turn north 1157, north west on 1252 and back to CM on 118. Around 280 km. 1252 is best on my Versys. Rain damage and several pot holes. Not ideal for slicks on the z1

 

[Ally]

Very nice pictures Ally. What camera are you using? Looks like a nice trip. Maybe I'll do this route over the week end. Today rode another loop, on 11 to Lampang, turn north 1157, north west on 1252 and back to CM on 118. Around 280 km. 1252 is best on my Versys. Rain damage and several pot holes. Not ideal for slicks on the z1

Thanks for checking out my ride report, yes I have to concur, the Versys is a great bike.

The camera is a Canon G12.

That route you mention is another favourite of mine.

Do you have any photos of your ride?

Ally

 

[OlafJass]

It was a spur of the moment ride. Both my go-pro and Canon batteries not charged. Actually, will charge them right now.....you never know what happens tomorrow....Oli

 

[Loop]

Then...



Now...



Apart from the old river bed....dry as a bone.

"Floating" Restaurants high and dry!!

 

[Ally]

Great comparison Loop, thanks for the update

Here are a couple out a bit further (up as well !) taken a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Water levels do appear to be seriously low this year in many places