bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
The route around 170KM, GPX at foot of post.
​If you have already ridden the section south past the preserved section of the HCMT, then the obvious way back north is to ride through the two bombed bridges making a way back north Prince Soupanouvang Bridge that comes to view after only 30km of so, the route partly sealed then onto pretty reasonable graded stuff until you're near the bridge area.
It would make a great camping spot in the dry season and crossing is a simple affair even for heavy trucks, although i guess September would be a different matter.
]
[/url]2015-04-05 08.12.48 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
As with Long Cheng i was to visit later, the place has a surreal calmness about it a far cry from when it was bombed during the sixties.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Fuel trucks crossing no problem at this time of year as Phil makes the crossing.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
As ever keen spectators hoping for a show, but not today.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Once across it was time to bid farewell as Phil turned back to return home to attend to business.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
I am sure in time this whole route will be paved, the old timber bridges a sad reminder of the rapid change taking place in Laos.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Charcoal ovens hard at work.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Some of the old bridges still in use, it was a case of take the bridge or take a bull dust bath in the 40 degrees plus heat.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Aggregate processing plant.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Quickly the route narrowed as i got past the construction works.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Hard to figure what people do for a living around here, logging all but finished and little signs of serious farming.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
More kid's running scared of the farang !!
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
I stopped to take a few shots at this small logging camp, but got shouts to stop so i complied.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Another dry and dusty settlement.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
It was about now it felt like someone had just turned up the gas burners and my Camelbak was almost empty and i hadn't even reached half way.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
This was beginning to be hard going with deep pockets of bull dust carved up by the iron buffalo's over what would be stream crossings and the like.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Even the shaded sections offered little relief.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Actually stopped here for a while to try and cool off, better new's i was not only running out of water but i was using gasoline at an alarming rate and no signs of life on the GPS.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Fortunately a small village came into view and i asked around for a shop of some kind, these guys escorted me to the local corner shop, hard to imagine they would find anything to shoot around here.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Co ord's of shop with fuel drum
N16.18387 E106.02180
Safely undercover, 5 red bull's and two bottles of water later i was rehydrated and good to go.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Very sparse village.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Underway for first signs of very welcoming water, but the buffalo's had beaten me to it.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Back into nice dusty sections, i bet this would be a bloody great ride in December before the dust kicked in (note to self) its a labyrinth of small trails and easy to get lost even with the GPS.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
At last the Xe Banghiang bridge came into view.
2015-04-05 12.28.14 by bsacbob, on Flickr
It became clear there was no way i was riding across this one and looked for the local water taxi.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
More evidence of the impending doom of this nice trail, a nice bridge in progress.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Note. The GPS will take you to a slip which is out of use, so a little ride on the riverbank is required.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Here comes my lift @ 5,000 kip better than swimming.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
New bridge well underway.
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
It was a great spot and i should have taken more time for pictures, but to be honest i was hallucinating and all i could see was a nice bottle of cold beer Laos...
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Once across it was a nice graded road to Phin with a few nice obstacles along the way.
2015-04-05 13.23.59 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Quickly i arrived at the Helicopter in Phin and decided to go back to the Viengxay Hotel N16.70003 E106.20859 in Xepon where i was guaranteed a nice bed, food and cold beer and a late night caller to boot !!!
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
Untitled by bsacbob, on Flickr
GpxViewer
​If you have already ridden the section south past the preserved section of the HCMT, then the obvious way back north is to ride through the two bombed bridges making a way back north Prince Soupanouvang Bridge that comes to view after only 30km of so, the route partly sealed then onto pretty reasonable graded stuff until you're near the bridge area.
It would make a great camping spot in the dry season and crossing is a simple affair even for heavy trucks, although i guess September would be a different matter.
]
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrAs with Long Cheng i was to visit later, the place has a surreal calmness about it a far cry from when it was bombed during the sixties.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrFuel trucks crossing no problem at this time of year as Phil makes the crossing.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrAs ever keen spectators hoping for a show, but not today.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrOnce across it was time to bid farewell as Phil turned back to return home to attend to business.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrI am sure in time this whole route will be paved, the old timber bridges a sad reminder of the rapid change taking place in Laos.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrCharcoal ovens hard at work.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrSome of the old bridges still in use, it was a case of take the bridge or take a bull dust bath in the 40 degrees plus heat.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrAggregate processing plant.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrQuickly the route narrowed as i got past the construction works.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrHard to figure what people do for a living around here, logging all but finished and little signs of serious farming.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrMore kid's running scared of the farang !!
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrI stopped to take a few shots at this small logging camp, but got shouts to stop so i complied.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrAnother dry and dusty settlement.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrIt was about now it felt like someone had just turned up the gas burners and my Camelbak was almost empty and i hadn't even reached half way.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrThis was beginning to be hard going with deep pockets of bull dust carved up by the iron buffalo's over what would be stream crossings and the like.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrEven the shaded sections offered little relief.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrActually stopped here for a while to try and cool off, better new's i was not only running out of water but i was using gasoline at an alarming rate and no signs of life on the GPS.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrFortunately a small village came into view and i asked around for a shop of some kind, these guys escorted me to the local corner shop, hard to imagine they would find anything to shoot around here.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrCo ord's of shop with fuel drum
N16.18387 E106.02180
Safely undercover, 5 red bull's and two bottles of water later i was rehydrated and good to go.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrVery sparse village.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUnderway for first signs of very welcoming water, but the buffalo's had beaten me to it.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrBack into nice dusty sections, i bet this would be a bloody great ride in December before the dust kicked in (note to self) its a labyrinth of small trails and easy to get lost even with the GPS.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrAt last the Xe Banghiang bridge came into view.
2015-04-05 12.28.14 by bsacbob, on FlickrIt became clear there was no way i was riding across this one and looked for the local water taxi.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrMore evidence of the impending doom of this nice trail, a nice bridge in progress.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrNote. The GPS will take you to a slip which is out of use, so a little ride on the riverbank is required.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrHere comes my lift @ 5,000 kip better than swimming.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrNew bridge well underway.
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrIt was a great spot and i should have taken more time for pictures, but to be honest i was hallucinating and all i could see was a nice bottle of cold beer Laos...
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrOnce across it was a nice graded road to Phin with a few nice obstacles along the way.
2015-04-05 13.23.59 by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrQuickly i arrived at the Helicopter in Phin and decided to go back to the Viengxay Hotel N16.70003 E106.20859 in Xepon where i was guaranteed a nice bed, food and cold beer and a late night caller to boot !!!
Untitled by bsacbob, on FlickrUntitled by bsacbob, on FlickrGpxViewer
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