Well, we met at the Samoeng junction as planned.
I was riding Southampton Tim's white CRF.
Soon the group were all ready for our Auke Memorial Ride.
This superb KTM 790 looked very rideable.
We had a coffee etc stop here at the excellent Khwam Sukh Cafe.
I hadn't stopped there before but will in the future.
Home grown avocado for sale.
We gathered again at a part of Wat Chan to discuss contingencies.
Bitumen or wet red clay to Mae Hong Son?
Time 11-48am.
Not having succeeded in completing the entire Elephant Trail in the rain last year I was very keen to amend the situation this time.
So I filled the tank with fuel and called in to a bike shop to have the tyres deflated to 20psi.
Or so I thought!
As Ian has said, the Trail is about 70% dirt/mud/slime/grease/ruts/rocks and 30% concrete (sometimes shattered, very gnarly concrete).
I trailed the 15 bikes who took on the Trail, with Matt following me in the ute.
Lots of fish-tailing and sliding and three close up inspections of the terrain later, Khun Deere decided to check my tyre pressures.
The young clown back at the bike shop had put 40 and 36psi into my tyres!
So they came down to 14psi which, naturally, made a huge difference.
I must say a 'thank you' to Khun Deere and Ian for their riding suggestions and especially for Matt and Ian for helping me pick up the CRF.
They can be surprisingly heavy in those conditions.
Thanks also to Matt for the cold water and fresh mango.
See, sometimes it pays to be at the back.
I was too absorbed with handling the riding conditions to stop for pics at the really challenging bits but they will be covered in the videos which will appear on the RideAsia Forum and Facebook page. I hope to add my own footage soon.
A good view of our destination of Mae Hong Son from here.
All 15 bikes, with riders, met up here for a refreshing drink and a chat, at the junction with 108.
Time for me 4-57 pm.
That's just on 5 hours give or take a few minutes for me and I was VERY satisfied.
Exhausted, but satisfied.
For an ageing rider I found the Trail technically and physically challenging when not dry, but great fun.
I had checked in to the Sarm Mork Guest House, situated near the lake and within walking distance to the eateries.
480 baht for adequate, quiet and friendly accommodation with secure bike parking.
I recommend their green rooms.
My riding gear took a bit of a beating.
We later met up for dinner etc at the Goodview.
They weren't allowed, legally, to sell beer to so many people so I remained there alone to enjoy a steamed fish,
a pleasant chat with the owner and a 'special coffee' or three.
That night I couldn't get the images of wet, red clay out of my mind.
And every muscle in my body was aching!
Saturday I headed to Pai on 1095 and home via Mae Rim.
I noted only one Tourist Van on the road, many very fast big bikes and that the Pai Canyon complex looks like a western ghost town.
I stopped at this humble noodle shop at Pa Pai and the owner seemed very pleased to have a paying customer.
Tough times indeed.
Their method of securing the table cover was quite clever.
So, for me, that was Auke's Memorial Ride 2021. (hoping that there is video to add later).
Well done to Ian, Ulysses and all who organised the event.
Apparently next year we'll be sleeping amongst the tigers.
