Moto Bistro Enduro ride Northern Thailand - Obkan river – Death Valley – Wat Luang - Sumong

[EndoJim]

We left Moto Bistro around 9:30 am Christmas Eve. Pond wanted to check out the Wat Luang trail as the Thai’s call it. Northern Thailand maps shows it as Death Valley.

Pond riding his new to him KLX150.

Stop off for some supplies and a little hydrating.

The trails was very dry and the trees still green

It was a great day to be out riding.

Obkan national park was very quite.

Obkan River was flowing a little more than I expected but we were feeling optimistic.

As soon I entered the water and realized how deep it was and thought oh shit the 150KLX is going to have a problem. I turned around and Pond was already submarining through. Lucky the deep section was narrow and the bike made it through the deepest portion before stalling just as he climbed out the other side. Thankfully, the bike fire back up and he was able to ride and push it out. The sand was super soft under the water making it difficult to get any traction. Love my new Olympus TG-5 camera, it powers up and ready to shoot amazingly quick.

The rains this season had eroded the bank removing the trail leading up to the small park. Looked as though we might have been the first up the river this season.

Pond decided to wrestle the thorny bushes. We both had a good laugh.

The small park and road were both overgrown.

The entries down into the river all washed away. We had to saber sawed some exposed roots that were blocking the path to drop back down into the river.

My turn first…

The water was not too deep but the bottom was extremely soft. Between my fat ass, the nearly bald tire and the soft sand I ended up having to pushing the bike through to the other side.

Ponds turn...

His bike stalled once again but started back up. It spit, sputtered and coughed but still made it through.

Slick log took Pond out. Nice dramatic get off for the camera. We had another good laugh.

To be continued...

 

[EndoJim]

We bush wacked our way as far as we could reaching this point which was probably less than a kilometer from the first water crossing. Beautiful spot but not a promising place to cross the river. I walked the river and it was doable but not a great option because we would have to ride in the river for at least a KM to pick up the trail agian.

Plan B... We ended up going up through a rocky waterfall route and back down to the river were we could pick up the trail on the other side of the river. We felt like we were on one of

We made it out to a well known stopping point but still had to cross the river. Pond chose a great line and made it right across. I on the other hand did not. Almost sunk the bike hitting a deep hole then turning back to the bank I started from. Pond coming to the rescue

Funny, normally it only take 15min to get to this point but it must have taken us one hour and a half . From here we picked the trail back up and were on our way to Wat Luang...

Headed up the Wat Luang trail... AKA Death Valley. Really fun trail when dry. Throw some water in the mix and your in for a real life adventure

Ponds bike is geared way to high making it difficult to tractor up the steep rocky sections. Love that he never quits and always smiling.

We made it to Wat Luang... Probably my favorite temple I've visited so far.

To be continued...

 

[EndoJim]

Temple parking area was a great place to enjoy our lunch sticky rice and sardines.

Pond stayed back while I took some pictures.

The temple in the rear of the complex must be the newest. Made of teak and beautifully carved.

Pond taking a power nap...

Made it back to Moto Bistro just in time to enjoy a couple ice cold beers and open the bar. Great day out

 

[bsacbob]

Great report and pictures Jim, looks like you got the hang of the TG-5, i love mine. Those little 150's are great little go anywhere bikes, thanks for sharing the trip.