Short trips on my CB500x part 2

[2wheels]

I hope you can do so Wayne.

 

[Capss]

I hope you can do so Wayne.

Yeah me too, I will have to speak nice to my wife 55555

 

[2wheels]

Well, best wishes with that!

 

[Capss]

2 Days around Ubol Ratana Reservoir

Day 1, part 1

The Ubol Ratana Reservoir is quite big and I had been looking at it on the map for a while. So after a bit of route planning and looking for places to visit the trip was on
I got my usual coffee from our coffee shop and left for a 2 day trip.

First was a blast down the 12 towards Khon Kaen for about 45 km then I turned North at Don Mong to do the Eastern and Northern sides of the reservoir

I wanted to go to the view point which overlooked the reservoir but once I got there it was closed for maintainance, and it was in a national park so that would have meant extortionate prices for non Thai’s. But it would have been good to go and have a look, there is also a rock cluster there. Although the day was quite hazy so the view might not have been that great.
National Park and Viewpoint entrance N16.61150, E102.60469, on the 5035

Nong Ruea⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

‎⁨Nam Phong National Park⁩, ⁨Ban Fang⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

There were a lot of campsites on the eastern side along the 2063 but to be honest they were all pretty bare and did not look inviting.
I did pull into one of them to get near the edge of the reservoir.
The riding was good however and it’s always good to get out on the bike.
Campsite N16.59465, E102.57194, one of many

‎⁨Nam Phong National Park⁩, ⁨Nong Ruea⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

Viewpoint on the 2063, N16.61994, E102.57236

Wayne

 

[Capss]

2 Days around Ubol Ratana Reservoir

Day 1, part 2

I stopped at the Nam Phong National Park Visitors Centre. The place was nice, lots of places to sit and relax, they had a little coffee shop.
N16.62531 E102.56969

‎⁨Nam Phong National Park⁩, ⁨Nong Ruea⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩⁩

Next up was the Ubol Ratana Dam, N16.77035, E102.62248 It's. pretty much the same set up as the Chulabhorn Dam which I have been to. There is a viewing area and a restaurant/coffee shop

‎⁨Ubolratana⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

On route I had planned to stop at a Sky Walk on the 2146, but, it was closed also. They did let me into the car park to take a couple of photos though and it was still a bit hazy.
Sky Walk N16.80061 E102.61346

‎⁨Phu Kao-Phu Phan Kam National Park⁩, ⁨Non Sang⁩, ⁨Nong Bua Lam Phu⁩⁩

Then is was a stop off at Noi's Kitchen for some food and a drink. I have been before. The place is nice to visit, owned and run by an English expat and his Thai wife, food is good, a mix of Foreign and Thai, Wednesday and Fridays they have live music in the afternoon
Noi's Kitchen N16.86693 E102.40200, นภ. 3002, Non Sang, Nong Bua Lam Phu 39140.

Noi's Kitchen
Noi's kitchen restaurant, Thailand - Restaurant reviews

Fed and watered I moved on to my accommodation for the night, which was about 10 minutes down the road.

Nuch's Apple Guest House
N16.89444, E102.36486

The link takes you to places to stay

Si Bung Rueang Accommodation

Nuch's Apple Guest House N16.89444, E102.36486 Nuch's Apple Guest House, Si Bun Ruang, Thailand A nice place to stop over for a night. Rooms were clean and tidy. Breakfast was extra, but was nice. There is a pool for those hot humid days Gate was closed and locked overnight, CCTV covering...

www.rideasia.net

Wayne

 

[Capss]

2 Days around Ubol Ratana Reservoir

Day 2

Late evening and into the night there was a big thunder storm over the area I was riding. Oh well I could be getting wet tomorrow!
The thunder storm had stopped and the roads were quite dry and the sun was coming out
After my nice breakfast at the guest house it was time to set off.

There were a couple of inland beach areas I was planning to visit on the ride down the western side of the reservoir
My route I had hoped to take had to be changed on the hoof as I was going to take some tracks to stay a bit closer to the reservoir however due to the storm last night they were still wet so I stuck to the roads instead.

Nong Na Kham⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

Phu Wiang⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩⁩

First up was Sawan Beach N16.67930 E102.56901, some nice scenery and the view to the hillside on the otherwise of the reservoir would have been great if it wasn't so hazy

‎⁨Sawan Beach⁩, ⁨Phu Wiang⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

From Sawan I headed towards Pattaya 2 beach, N16.63727 E102.54569, nothing like the Pattaya some of you may know! There were more people milling about and going to the loungers on the edge of the reservoir, plus some areas for food. Not a bad set up if you fancy a basic day out.

Pattaya 2⁩, ⁨Phu Wiang⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩⁩

The loungers along the edge of the water

Looking at the food stalls/ outdoor eateries

Laab Moo (Spicy minced pork) with sticky rice

Once I left Pattaya 2 it was time to head further south and onto the 12 for the direction of home.

‎⁨Phu Wiang⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩⁩

Ubolratana Dam Reservoir⁩, ⁨Nong Ruea⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

This trip was not as interesting as some of my others, however it's time on the bike and seeing new places. Its also one of the local places I have wanted to look around so all in all a good 2 days.
373Km covered door to door

Wayne

 

[Captain_Slash]

Much better photos than I would have expected Wayne. Its nice to actually see someone getting out on their motorbike and going for a decent ride.

 

[Capss]

Much better photos than I would have expected Wayne. Its nice to actually see someone getting out on their motorbike and going for a decent ride.

Thanks
I don’t see the point in having a bike and leaving it parked up all the time, I wish I could get out on it more

Wayne

 

[Captain_Slash]

I only have an electric trike at the moment but I hope to get a Honda Click three wheeler in a few months time because my Stroke. I take the electric trike out for two hours a day six days a week, I will never stop riding all the time I am still breathing, I am like you Wayne and dont understand people who dont ride.

 

[Capss]

I only have an electric trike at the moment but I hope to get a Honda Click three wheeler in a few months time because my Stroke. I take the electric trike out for two hours a day six days a week, I will never stop riding all the time I am still breathing, I am like you Wayne and dont understand people who dont ride.

I hear you mate, hope you get on well with Click 3 wheeler when you get it

Wayne

 

[Capss]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan, 07/06/24

Day 1

I had been in touch with @9v6wx from the HorizonsUnlimited site and we had arranged to meet up when he came into Isaan on his Thailand trip, all the way from Malaysia.
I planned to take him on some nice roads whilst heading north towards Chiang Khan so we would avoid sitting on the 201 all the way, it's not the most exciting ride.
The route was the 12 for about 40km, then an old favorite of mine, the 2216, next up it was on to a new road which I have been wanting to ride for awhile, the 2016

We set off at about 0815 after getting 2 coffees to go from my coffee shop.

A quick stop on the 12, ‎⁨Lam Choen⁩, ⁨Phu Pha Man⁩, ⁨Khon Kaen⁩

‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩

The 2216 and the 2016 were great roads to ride, lots of flowing and sharp bends coupled with the ups and downs of the hills and mountains, great scenery and small villages.
The 201 is a bit boring but we got on it after Wang Saphung and kept heading north. We had a bit of rain...it is the start of rainy season now, but it was nothing to dampen the day.

Lom Kao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩

Once we hit Chiang Khan we looked for a place to have a coffee and set about sorting a place to get ours heads down.

Chiang Khan⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

We picked the Aomsin Guest House N17.89566 E101.65885. Rooms were fine for what we needed then to be albeit a bit small and it was about 200m from walking street

We had a couple of hours chilling in the a/c then we went on to walking street, I have been a few times and there are other photos on this thread, but we did find a different small bar with a selection of local and craft beers

Wayne

 

[Capss]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan

Day 2 part 1

The route today was from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai using the 211 and the 242, but coming on to some smaller roads along the side of the Mekong where possible.

I had looked at the weather forecast before we set off, rain was on the cards for later on in the morning. Time will tell!

The Mekong was looking pretty dry as it flows through this area.

‎⁨Pak Chom⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

Coffee stop on the 211, More-verest Mekong View Coffee shop N18.02616 E 101.90082

More-verest Coffee Shop, ‎⁨Pak Chom⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

Back on the road heading towards Sangkhom

‎⁨Sangkhom⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩

We stopped in Sangkhom in the hope of getting some food at a place where I ate on my last ride here, it was however closed and didn't look like it would be reopening. So I grabbed a coffee and snickers then we moved on

Sangkhom

Wayne

 

[Capss]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan

Day 2 part 2

We left Sangkhom and continued along the 211 towards Nong Khai. The plan was to keep the 211 as the axis and keep going in towards the Mekong as I have done previously but on our first attempt it started to rain quiet heavy, so it was on with the water proofs and back on to the 211 mainly because the small single track farm roads are not much cop in the wet.

The rain eventually stopped.

Si Chiang Mai⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩

We got to about 2/3 km from Nong Khai and needed some food, so we pulled in to the Lekhong Restaurant N17.88033, E102.72894 for a bite to eat.
Just as we had finished it rained again

View of the 1st Thai Lao Friendship Bridge

The place we were stopping was only about 2 km's away so my riding partner pushed on and I decided to wait it out as my old all in one wet suit was past its sell by date and was as much use as a chocolate fireguard!

I eventually made it to the overnight stop.

Pikul Apartments and Hotel. N17.88261 E102.74487
Relax for a couple of hours before heading on to Walking Street

Walking Street had a Evening Food Market, so we sat and had some street food next to the Mekong

Wayne

 

[Captain_Slash]

Much better photos now we have had some rain, its good to see the mekong getting a lot fuller.

 

[Capss]

Much better photos now we have had some rain, its good to see the mekong getting a lot fuller.

Yeah it was looking good

Wayne

 

[Capss]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan

Day 3

It was time for me to head on home. Brandon was stopping in Nong Khai for another few days so he could get an extension on his visa at Immigration and his TIP extended at Customs.
We had a natter and a coffee then I set off

I set the Montana 600 on the shortest route and went where it took me.

There was not a great deal so see on the route home and it was pretty flat but the roads were good on the first half. Then it was on to the 228 all the way in to Chum Phae.
I did come across some Buddha statues on the 2097. N17.58196 E102.40855
at Wat Pa Si Samran.

‎⁨Wat Pa Si Samran 2⁩, ⁨Ban Phue⁩, ⁨Udon Thani⁩⁩

I had a good couple of day riding with Brandon and it was good to get out. It was also a chance to ride the 2016 and to show him some good Isaan riding roads. I will be doing the 2016 again!

682km for me over the 3 days and its now time to get my bike serviced.

Wayne