Short trips on my CB500x part 2

[Capss]

A trip west to Kanchanaburi to honour the fallen 091124

Day 2

Nakhon Sawan to Kanchanaburi

The route today was pretty straight forward with not a lot to look at to be honest
I left the hotel early and went to the PTT station to fill up, once there I had to hang around awhile whilst the staff sorted the pumps out and took reading, possibly shift change! Whilst there I got talking to a Spanish guy travelling around, he had just been to China and through Laos, his end place today was Bangkok. He was riding a DCT Africa Twin
Anyway 35 mins later I was back on the road and had a good blast down the 1 until I got to the 333

Chaophraya River⁩, ⁨Mueang Nakhonsawan⁩, ⁨Nakhon Sawan⁩

On the 333, ‎⁨Huai Khot⁩, ⁨Uthai Thani⁩⁩

The 333 started as a dual carriage way then went to single lane although there was not a lot to see. I did branch off for a bit a rode some of the smaller roads but is was all flat farmland with mountain ranges in the distance

‎⁨On the 324, Phanom Thuan⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

When I got to Kanchanaburi it was straight to The Bridge over the River Kwai. N14.04177 E99.50386 I have been a few times before but it's a first on the bike. It's a nice area to visit but very touristy as you would expect

‎⁨Mueang Kanchanaburi⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

Time to look for a room. I knew which area I preferred to be in so I parked the bike up and had a look around. As I have said before, bike parking is a deciding factor for me unless there is no other choice
I found the Blue Star Guest House N14.03561 E099.51771
Once I had paid for 2 night I saw had cats and I believe they had been in the room. I have a cat allergy so not good, a trip to the pharmacy for some anti histamine. They worked really well. I spoke to the owners and they did offer me another room but I had all my stuff out and the bike sorted so I stayed put.

Kanchanaburi Accommodation link
https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/threads/kanchanaburi-accommodation.12568/

Once I have got sorted out and stopped itching, thanks to the anti histamine, it was time to have a walk out.
Tapas Thai Tapas Thai N14.03329 E99.52047
Run by an Aussie, nice place, food great and the beer was cold
It was a bit quiet when I first went in but livened up later

Tapas Thai Bar, ‎⁨Mueang Kanchanaburi⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

Wayne

 

[Capss]

A trip west to Kanchanaburi to honour the fallen 091124

Day 3

Remembrance Day Service at the Don Rak Allied War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi N14.03197 E99.52579

I went to Tapas Thai for a cooked breakfast. It was nice and worth the visit.
Then it was back to the room to relax a bit and get changed ready for the service.
The walk to the War Cemetery didn't take long as it was only about 700/800 meters away
It is something I have done every year I have been able to no matter what country I have been in and it is also the main reason for this trip.

Once the service had finished it was back to Tapas Thai for food and drink with some of the guys from the Royal British Legion. Although I did not drink to excess as I am back on the bike tomorrow

CWGC Kanchanaburi Link

The grounds are immaculately kept

At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them

Wayne

 

[2wheels]

Indeed we will remember them all.

Wayne, a few years ago I also did that ride but to be at the ANZAC service in the War Cemetery.
It sure is a poignant place and much larger that people think.
At the time I was there the Oz government paid for four survivors of the Death Railway to be in attendance.
Rightfully, they were treated like royalty.

I also rode out to Hellfire Pass and found that to be a very humbling experience.
(It is also a picturesque riding area).

I think my report is here somewhere.

Well done!

 

[Capss]

Yes a very poignant place. I am glad you got to the ANZAC service. I rode the 323...coming on the next update, which takes you to Hellfire pass but I didn't go
I have however ridden the train along the line which is a good journey and puts it into a bit of perspective as to how gruelling it must have been

Wayne

 

[Capss]

A trip west to Kanchanaburi to honour the fallen 091124

Day 4

The intention today was to ride through the mountains and end up around Erawan

I was up early, as per the norm, so I decided to go fill up and pop to The Bridge over the River Kwai. It was about 0630 so no one was about and I had an unhindered photo chance

‎⁨The Bridge over the River Kwai, Mueang Kanchanaburi⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

I left Kanchanaburi after another full breakfast at Tapas Thai and headed in the direction of the Three Pagodas right at the end of the 323.

Tapas Thai, ‎⁨Mueang Kanchanaburi⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

I had messaged a guy from Malaysia who had road the 323 two months ago to see if it was worth going all the way to the 3 Pagodas and after a discussion I decided it wasn't
So I had planned to hook a right on to the 3091 which is about 20km before Thong Pha Phum. From there, it was on to the 6093 then the 6043 heading south.
For about the first 50/60 km the 323 is a bit boring but as you enter the valley then it's great and easy going

On the 323, ‎⁨Mueang Kanchanaburi⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

Still on the 323, ‎⁨Sai Yok⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

Then is was the right turn on to the 3091, heading towards a ferry which can take you across the dam (although I am not sure if it's working or not). The road started off a good normal road with some great views. I am not sure if it was before or after Ban Saphan Lao there was a barrier at one of the rangers hut. They let me through and I stopped to see what the road was like going forward. They said a lot of things but I did catch Mai Dee (no good). But cars were going it that direction so it must be manageable on the X. So off I went, the road lasted about another few km when went on to a wide track. This lasted the rest of the way on the 3091 and on to the 6093. Which was roughly about 35/36km and it was good fun, albeit hard work on the X. I would not try it in the rainy season or just after a down pour. Most of it was a mix of mud and rocks then rocks and mud! But because it was dry and hard it was very doable. It would be super on a lighter bike, but I would do it again.
Then the track went back to a road near a food place N14.63721 E98.99543 So I stopped for food, water and coffee before moving on to Erawan.

On the 3091, ‎⁨Thong Pha Phum⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

On the 3091, ‎⁨Lam Khlong Ngu National Park⁩, ⁨Thong Pha Phum⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

On the 3091, ‎⁨Khuean Srinagarindra National Park⁩, ⁨Thong Pha Phum⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

On the 6093, ‎⁨Khuean Srinagarindra National Park⁩, ⁨Thong Pha Phum⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

The road was good riding all the way to Erawan. Once there I popped into the centre of the village, gulped down some more water and my camelbak was done and looked for a place to sleep.
Looking on booking.com they were quite expensive for what I normally pay when on the bike. Anyway I managed to find a place for a decent price further on up the road about 20 km and there was a 7-eleven just before the place.
Once I got to the 7 there was another little resort place so I went in.
Baan Suwan, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat Resort N14.44136 E99.13116 on the 3199. Nice and tidy place

On the 6043, ‎⁨Khuean Srinagarindra National Park⁩, ⁨Thong Pha Phum⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

‎⁨On the 6043, Si Sawat⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

Tha Kradan, Erawan, ‎⁨Si Sawat⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

‎⁨Khwae Yai River⁩, ⁨Si Sawat⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩⁩

Baan Suan Resort, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat

Tha Kradan, Si Sawat Accommodation

Baan Suan Resort, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat N14.44136 E99.13116 A really nice place to stay The room was clean and tidy. The grounds were looked after. Parking for the bike can be outside the little house but I had a room next to some undercover parking. There is a 7-eleven and some places to sit...

www.rideasia.net

Wayne

 

[2wheels]

Wayne we can check but I think there are images of loco #804 in use during the infamous days.
Nice report, thank you. Good riding in that area.

 

[Capss]

Wayne we can check but I think there are images of loco #804 in use during the infamous days.
Nice report, thank you. Good riding in that area.

Yes I believe it is, there is another on to the left of the photo shot also. I find it interesting
Great riding around there, I've wanted to do it for awhile now

Wayne

 

[Capss]

A trip west to Kanchanaburi to honour the fallen 091124

Day 5

More mountains to have an enjoyable ride through and then a decision to make on my final destination as I didn't know whether I wanted to end up in Chai Nat or Singburi, not a lot to choose between for todays distance and tomorrow's distance heading home.

I left quite early as normal and continued following the 3199 heading back into the mountains. The route took me to near another shorter journey ferry across the Srinagaring Dam Reservoir. It was only 800m from a junction I had to take if I was going to follow 2 reservoir inlets through the mountains. So I thought I would pop for a look...the ferry was there and loading up, it would be rude not to get on! I did have more mountain roads later on.
The ferry N14.55125 E99.15618 was pretty straight forward and as I saw, there were more than one operating at the same time and at around 0740 it was quite busy.
20 THB for my X

Hope we don't sink! lol

Once off the ferry I picked up the 3199 again before it turned into the 4041. This was another nice road to ride through the mountains and in a valley. The bit through the mountains was very twisty in parts and has a view point along it, N14.82290 E99.11098. At some point during the mountains I rode through some low cloud and it got a bit chilly for a bit. Once in the valley the road opens up for a bit before more mountain sections.

On the 4041, ‎⁨Si Sawat⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

Higher up at the viewpoint on the 4041, ‎⁨Si Sawat⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

Looking at the clouds, ‎⁨Si Sawat⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

Still on the 4041, ‎⁨Nong Prue⁩, ⁨Kanchanaburi⁩

I then got to the junction of the 4041 and the 3480 and it was decision time...Chai Nat or Singburi. Singburi won the toss. Plotted it into the Montana, shortest route. It took me on some nice roads, including some the Romans would have been proud of.
I stopped of for a coffee at the Little Frog Cafe in Sam Chuk ( it's also a resort with rooms to rent) N14.78012 N100.08624

On the 3086, ‎⁨Dan Chang⁩, ⁨Suphan Buri⁩

Coffee. stop on the 3050. Little Frog Cafe, ‎⁨Sam Chuk⁩, ⁨Suphan Buri⁩

Once in Singburi I had a bit of a ride through and then booked it to the Chaisaeng Palace N14.89708 E100.40060.

Singburi Accommodation

Chaisaeng Palace N14.89708 E100.40060 Very nice room, big, clean and tidy, a/c and shower worked well. They have a good restaurant and room service menu There is also an outside dining area and a bit of a cocktail lounge under a large canopy The river is directly opposite 7-eleven is about...

www.rideasia.net

With a nice view from my room window

Dinner was very tasty

Wayne

 

[Capss]

A trip west to Kanchanaburi to honour the fallen 091124

Day 6

Heading home

The breakfast at the Chaisaeng Palace N14.89708 E100.40060 was good, they had a good choice.

I put in the coffee shop on my Montana 600 and picked shortest distance which turned out to be about 320km.
I need to fill up so I looked for a PTT, there was one on the 32.
Once at the PTT I brimmed the tank ready for the day ahead the set off. Now normaly there are loads of U turns especially near fuel stations but for some reason they were all blocked off so I ended up being re-routed and it added another 20 plus km on to the journey.
Because I had put in shortest route it was taking shortcuts from the main roads and even threw in a bit of track just for good measure.
I ended up using a bit of the 11 then going on to the 3196, this took me on to the 3354
From the 3354 I picked up the 2219 through Nong Muang and on towards the 21

Wat Khok Krang, ‎⁨Takhli⁩, ⁨Nakhon Sawan⁩

On the 1012, ‎⁨Khlong Anusatsananan⁩, ⁨Takhli⁩, ⁨Nakhon Sawan⁩⁩

‎⁨Ban Mi⁩, ⁨Lop Buri⁩

I had a natter to a Thai guy on this nice Triumph 120

Once I had gone across central Thailand I picked up the 4007, 225 and the 2359 which I had done at the beginning of my trip. When I was on the 225 I got stuck behind 3 articulated lorries and the going was slow, however it did give me chance to see 2 monkeys in the wild, sat on the side of the road. I could not stop due to being in a large queue of traffic.
Once at Kaset Sombum I filled up again and head home.

On the 4007, ‎⁨Wichian Buri⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩

On the 225, ‎⁨Wichian Buri⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩

On to 4029, ‎⁨Phu Khiao⁩, ⁨Chaiyaphum⁩⁩

A total of 1446km covered which is about 895 miles.

Wayne

 

[2wheels]

Nicely documented, thanks Wayne.

 

[Capss]

Nicely documented, thanks Wayne.

Thanks 2wheels

 

[Capss]

A Day meandering in Isaan revisited 011224

Part 1

As I said on my last report, meandering in Isaan 160824. There were other roads that I had wanted to do that day but they never got done due to the kilometers. So today was the day when I was going to do them

It was a bit, chilly when I set off and the wind was whistling through my Knox armoured shirt.
The plan was to go up the 201 to Phu Kradueng, stop at the PTT, fill up, and then get on with the route. I had put some waypoints on my Montana 600 but that was it!

From the fuel station I carried on up the 201 for about a km before hooking a left on to the 3113 heading into the Phu Kradueng National Park area

On the 3113, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

The 3113 turned into the 3114 and then barriers....I didn't realize there were barriers on the road until I got there and I wasn't sure if the road was closed or not. The ride out might be short lived!
A guy came over and I showed him where I intended to go, the barrier went up and I was allowed to pass through without parting with any money.
The intention was to try and do a circumference of the Phu Kradueng mountain but there was a bit of about 6km where I didn't think I would get through on my 500x and a river crossing with no knowledge of if there is a bridge.
I believe I was still on the 3114 but anyway, the road slowly deteriorated and became sparodic loose stone, rutted and in places gravel. The gravel was deep enough to make it feel like the front was going to wash out, fortunately there wasn't a lot of it.

Entrance to the ‎⁨Phu Kradueng National Park⁩, ⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

Tat Hong Waterfall area, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng National Park⁩, ⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

I didn't go to the waterfall as it was quite away down a track and I didn't fancy leaving the bike and walking in my boots
From the waterfall I turned around to have a look at the junction where 6km into the unknown awaited. Anyway after having a look I decided against it, smaller bike and with someone, yes no problem, but on my own! Back up the road to the barrier it was.

On the 3114, Phu Kradueng National Park⁩, ⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

Back on the normal road and heading to the Phu Kradueng National Park visitors centre on the 2019 for a look and a coffee.

Visitor Centre, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng National Park⁩⁩

A nicely brewed coffee

The visitors centre is good and it was very busy, Camping, hostel, showers and souvenirs etc. You can get on a trail and go to the top of Phu Kradueng and camp over night at the top. There are even sherpa's to carry stuff up to the top for you if you wish

Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng National Park - Wikipedia

Back on to the 2019 for a bit before a left on to the 3028

Wayne

 

[Capss]

A Day meandering in Isaan revisited 011224

Part 2

Once on the 3028 I was heading for a bit of a valley on the northern edge of Phu Kradueng mountain

The road started off really good smooth tarmac and then went to concrete laid in sections. But it was still nice to ride

On the 3028, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

Then the concrete road stopped and was replaced by a vehicle width track of dried mud with smoothed rocks and stones embedded in it. Lots of ruts. It was enjoyable but hard work on the 500x on stock tires. From this point on it was a mix of the hard mud and concrete road pretty much all the way to the 2216 affording some great views.

The road after the 3028, ‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩⁩

Once on the 2216, a favorite of mine, I was back on the black top and going a little coffee shop I like.

On the 2216, ‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩⁩

The coffee shop is the one I stopped at on the first meander on the 16/08/24
Runjuan Coffee shop N16.72987 E101.74065 on the 2216 near Nam Nao

Runjuan Coffee shop on the 2216, ‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩⁩

Then it was time for the last 40/50km home

237km covered

Wayne

 

[2wheels]

Those little coffee stops in remote areas are always a pleasure to visit and, usually, the staff are super friendly.

 

[Capss]

Those little coffee stops in remote areas are always a pleasure to visit and, usually, the staff are super friendly.

Yes they are, and they both speak a bit of English in that one

Wayne