Ride Report : Danok - Betong on Route 4001
Sometime in August i had a few days in my hand, and having bought an F800GS, the call to go for a long ride was irresistable.
I managed to gather three good buddies, one with a Boxercup and another with a Gixxer K5. Both these gentlemen rode with me previously on a 1400km scooter trip last year.
As their bikes were not suitable for the trip, they each bought the Aprillia Pegaso 650 Trail.
The trip in brief: from Danok we took a right turn into some rural roads that crosses the restive Southern Provinces of Songkla and Yala, traversing a number of National Parks before main roads presented itself to Betong. There were times when we were in the jungles of Southern Thailand I felt some doubt about where we were heading, especially when tarmac ended and the gravel road led us ever deeper into the depths of tropical foliage. Luckily we always managed to find 'normal' roads and eventually reached Betong, having ridden 260 km in about 5 hours.
Having had a good time and assessed that the roads can be tackled with bigger DPs, I organised another trip, this time with a bunch of GS Riders.
For this trip, I planned a Route took us from Hatyai to Samnak Teao, San Kala Khiri Nat'l Park, then to Sathon, Prakop, before we joined Rte 4001 to Ban Lalae, Kabang and Than Tho, where we joined the main road that winds its way on the banks of Bang Lang Dam towards Betong.
Pictures below tells the story.
Here's the Route, on GPS
The Riders ( less the photographer )
Our first night was at Hatyai.
Our rides awaiting the next day
We started off with breakfast at a stall run by Kelantanese speaking ladies in the middle of Hatyai town.
After about 40km on the main highway from Hatyai to Danok I led the group left into the kampongs and after another 10 minutes riding we ended up in a rubber estate, the first of the many gravel sections we will be riding through.
We reached a kampong, again populated by Kelantanese speaking muslim Thais. It is clear that whilst they are not wealthy, we later found out that they are rich with hospitality.We stopped for a drink, and the villagers brought out some pulut and rendang for us. hen we wanted to pay, they refused, saying that they are happy we stopped by, and to treat the food as Hari Raya food. Really nice people.
The 'cafe'
We left after half an hour, and I led the group through more estate roads.
The first challenging stretch caught Fazlee out. He was on his GSA. It was on a fairly steep downhill incline, muddy and slippery, and Fazlee slid his front wheel into a deep rut, leaving his bike unmovable.
It took 5 of us to pull his bike out.
The journey continued at a leisurely pace
After about 40 minutes we reached this beautiful tarmac that winds its way into the San Kala Khiri National Park. The road was clean and smooth, with good grip so the bikes can be ridden hard and fast. That the road was devoid of traffic added to our enjoyment.
Then it was time for some photos....great poser value...
Part TWO to come........
Sometime in August i had a few days in my hand, and having bought an F800GS, the call to go for a long ride was irresistable.
I managed to gather three good buddies, one with a Boxercup and another with a Gixxer K5. Both these gentlemen rode with me previously on a 1400km scooter trip last year.
As their bikes were not suitable for the trip, they each bought the Aprillia Pegaso 650 Trail.
The trip in brief: from Danok we took a right turn into some rural roads that crosses the restive Southern Provinces of Songkla and Yala, traversing a number of National Parks before main roads presented itself to Betong. There were times when we were in the jungles of Southern Thailand I felt some doubt about where we were heading, especially when tarmac ended and the gravel road led us ever deeper into the depths of tropical foliage. Luckily we always managed to find 'normal' roads and eventually reached Betong, having ridden 260 km in about 5 hours.
Having had a good time and assessed that the roads can be tackled with bigger DPs, I organised another trip, this time with a bunch of GS Riders.
For this trip, I planned a Route took us from Hatyai to Samnak Teao, San Kala Khiri Nat'l Park, then to Sathon, Prakop, before we joined Rte 4001 to Ban Lalae, Kabang and Than Tho, where we joined the main road that winds its way on the banks of Bang Lang Dam towards Betong.
Pictures below tells the story.
Here's the Route, on GPS
The Riders ( less the photographer )
Our first night was at Hatyai.
Our rides awaiting the next day
We started off with breakfast at a stall run by Kelantanese speaking ladies in the middle of Hatyai town.
After about 40km on the main highway from Hatyai to Danok I led the group left into the kampongs and after another 10 minutes riding we ended up in a rubber estate, the first of the many gravel sections we will be riding through.
We reached a kampong, again populated by Kelantanese speaking muslim Thais. It is clear that whilst they are not wealthy, we later found out that they are rich with hospitality.We stopped for a drink, and the villagers brought out some pulut and rendang for us. hen we wanted to pay, they refused, saying that they are happy we stopped by, and to treat the food as Hari Raya food. Really nice people.
The 'cafe'
We left after half an hour, and I led the group through more estate roads.
The first challenging stretch caught Fazlee out. He was on his GSA. It was on a fairly steep downhill incline, muddy and slippery, and Fazlee slid his front wheel into a deep rut, leaving his bike unmovable.
It took 5 of us to pull his bike out.
The journey continued at a leisurely pace
After about 40 minutes we reached this beautiful tarmac that winds its way into the San Kala Khiri National Park. The road was clean and smooth, with good grip so the bikes can be ridden hard and fast. That the road was devoid of traffic added to our enjoyment.
Then it was time for some photos....great poser value...
Part TWO to come........
