Trails SW of Chiang Mai

[KTMphil]

Most riders head north and west for trail riding out of Chinag Mai, there's also some riding very close to Chiang Mai to the south west that gets forgotten about.

swcnx by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


We usually run 25-30 psi in the tires until there's a good percentage of dirt ahead then go down to 15 psi. Some go as low as 10-12 psi, I think you risk ripping valves off the inner tubes that low without rim locks.

Remember to bring a tire pressure gauge, easy to forget.

RIMG7000 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



There's lots of easy to stuff SW to get you warmed up and used to how the bike reacts off road.


RIMG7031 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

One of the loveliest Checkpoints you'll ever come across


RIMG7006 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



A survey of the riverbed trail showed it was still way too deep and un-usable at present


RIMG7011 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


riverbed by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Banpong Pagoda almost finished, from the road below, looking up, looks completed (very clever)

RIMG6995 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Sapphire skies great colors


RIMG6993 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

About 10km out some lovely single track

RIMG7001 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Even with all the late season rain we'd had, the shaded spots were pretty dry

RIMG7002 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



In some of the steep areas evidence of the late season rain, huge ruts


RIMG7003 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7004 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



What a view?

RIMG7005 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Whats unusual about this area is the ever-changing terrain, unlike most other riding around here. I think its because the mounds/ hills are more spaced out than further north trails. One minute you're on a narly rutted steep bit then all of a sudden smooth straight trail for 5 km, very strange.

RIMG7007 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


The trails are dominated by the rivers in the area and tend to follow the valleys

RIMG7010 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Scouting around trying to find different ways through


RIMG7012 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




RIMG7013 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




RIMG7014 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Poked around for an hour trying to confirm this link and couldn't get through


RIMG7015 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


not link by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7017 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7019 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




Managed to find a local mango farmer and he confirmed not possible

RIMG7020 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Vegetable planting

RIMG7021 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Refreshments in the shade, nice spot


RIMG7029 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Then onto some sandy trails


RIMG7030 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr'

'


RIMG7032 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




The bicycle mecca of Mae Wang, Swiss Ticino's makes a good lunch stop


RIMG7041 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


RIMG7036 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


RIMG7037 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7038 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


Some very sexy carbon outside not locked up


RIMG7048 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Make sure you have un-torn Thai bank notes, many pumps are now auto-teller

RIMG7049 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Getting late afternoon when the light is good


RIMG7050 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



The Karen Eco Lodge looking well maintained


RIMG7052 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



We couldn't figure out why this was here? Make shift fish trap? Some kind of filter to catch tree branches and plastic garbage?

RIMG7054 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Fun waterfall trails


RIMG7055 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7056 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Stick bridges with big holes

RIMG7057 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


Mexican stand-offs with buffalo's

RIMG7058 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Temporary houses for harvest season

RIMG7060 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Wobbly bridges

RIMG7061 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



Wat Luang - pretty special


RIMG7072 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


RIMG7064 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


RIMG7065 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


RIMG7067 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7068 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7073 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr



RIMG7076 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr

 

[KTMphil]

Back out on the hard top and great vizability

RIMG7080 by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr




A great day ride SW of Chiang Mai

 

[MastaMax]

Looks like an amazing day out!