chrissables

I rode a loop I have ridden before today, but in reverse. My first turn point from Chiang Mai to Khun Chae National Park on road 118 here was here.

https://goo.gl/maps/o2YwC1c4JHdQEJ4F6

From here to Ban Mae Pang

19.213873,99.181597

 took 4 hours of mixed and steep roads about 50 percent of which were sand tracks. I then looped back to Chiang Mai.

There is a lot more of the road concreted now and where they are grading to prepare for more concrete  road is compacted sand and clay and any damp areas slippery in places. The off road riding was a lot more difficult than before, far more rutted due to the rainy season. But still some wonderful views. 185 km ridden

https://www.relive.cc/view/veqzXzzVg7O

Today I rode 30 minutes north of Chiang Mai City to meet a very brave man Eddie Bright from the youtube channel “Lazy Dog Productions” who make videos about the Honda CT125.

I say brave as he allowed me to ride his supped up bike knowing that I have had three crashes on my bike recently.

He kindly sold me a set of tyres for my bike too which was very helpful as shops don’t stock the off road tyres I need.

After seeing my write-up about missing a gear and going into neutral and crashing he has fitted a gear indicator light and ordered one for me too.

After the tyres were fitted we grabbed some food before exploring the rice fields near his house. A good and productive day. Cheers Eddie.

Another ride with Al from Pattaya today and I decided to ride a loop around Doi Inthanon. From Chiang Mai we rode south until turning west on R1013 to Mae Wang and R4053 until this junction at Mae Win.

https://goo.gl/maps/5rNddbnaJ2tPt4vb9

From here you follow the concrete road until it turns to sand and clay all the way to Ban Mae Na Chon Nuea.

https://goo.gl/maps/UrERsAx6noZiyNVG7

A lot of the sand track has now been improved and is a lot easier to ride which for off road riders is not so good. There is about 20 km of track left, but there are more in the area and the view of Doi Inthanon was stunning.

As we got near to the end of the track I was thinking about how cheap it is to ride here and minor repairs are next to nothing too, to prove my point I had a fall on the easiest part of the track bending the brake lever and crash bar, smashing the mirror and for some reason at the same time the side stand bolt undone itself enough for the spring to fall off and the stand was down.

On reflection I’m sure the stand coming down paid some part in the cause of the accident as it was a most strange accident on easy track.

It was a 150 km back to Chiang Mai city where I went to Club House, who changed the broken parts, straitened the crash bar and attached the side stand for the grand total of 500 baht about 12 pound with the bike worked on straight away!

Hopefully I won’t need to use their services any time soon.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vjkZzdPYO

17 hours ago, piston broke said:

touring Thailand on a geared 125cc bike .....

 

i couldn't imagine much worse (wave maybe ?).

 

No problem for me at all ????

Today I was joined for a ride by Al who flew up from Pattaya to ride in Chiang Mai. He’s another guy that likes to ride the same way as I do.

I decided to return to Ban Pa Khao Lam, as it has great mountain views and some nice green lane riding.

We rode the R107 out of Chiang Mai before a left onto R3009 toward Pai a left and quick right on R1095 to climb into the mountains on R3052 until turning up the road to the village at the bridge junction Mae Taeng. Some nice riding and  returning to continue a loop back via Mae Taeng town and the R107 back to Chiang Mai.

https://goo.gl/maps/GQcvaJYCcpsFzUo89

https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO7JNr4oyv

Today my ride was south from Chiang Mai to road R3033 towards Ban Khun Pae. From here the road turned to farmers track. I followed this for about 5km before deciding to turn back. The track was getting harder and it was still damp in the forested areas making it a little slippery. But the issue was I had no idea at all how far the track went or its condition.

I decided to return and road up toward Doi Inthanon on R1009 and R1284 taking the scenic route back to Chiang Mai.

If anyone has ridden R3033 through to the next good roads in the north please advice on how difficult it would be on the CT125.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQ41WozMv

Today’s ride was a loop via Mae Ngat Dam, Ban Paa Khao Lam

A busy road leaving Chiang Mai this morning that go quiet when I turned of towards Mae Ngat Dam. Where you can ride up to the top to take the views in.

https://goo.gl/maps/QPA4nTwYUkPbRmfCA

From there I rode to R3052 which is a narrow road through the jungle with many Elephant camps along it. I turned north to Ban Paa Khao Lam which is a single track road that slowly turned poor road and cay and sand tracks. It was about 34km of green laning there and back. I then continued along R3052 to R1095 and R3009 back to Chiang Mai, a wonderful days riding.

https://goo.gl/maps/DMzxLz3KgE3Apkti6

https://www.relive.cc/view/v36A39njVZv

An easy ride after having my Sena headset repaired today (Chang Moto sorted it for free, great service) to the suspension bridge Mae Kuang Dam, Chiang Mai. The route in was confusing as due to high water levels I had to ride a different track in. I intended to cross the bridge and continue on a bigger loop, but the were signs stating the road was closed for building work.

https://goo.gl/maps/SxZj1GWnHWqoBdDT6

21 minutes ago, Pooreye said:

Yes a nice track down to there, at least partly haha. This pic I`m 98% sure is from after just turned right, about 1 km after Ban Khun Chang village junction.

Still main track for PCX???? But not very lush, no rain for a long time. 

And if one don`t turn right, after a few hundred meter a sharp left bend with some views too. I wish I was up north right now!

It was wet yesterday already slipping a little which is why i turned back, will try again. Some shots from last year.

Today was my first day back on the bike since my fall. I rode up to Doi Pui viewpoint Chiang Mai, and carried on until the road turned to track and then doubled back. Good views but Thailand’s highest point Doi Inthanon was hidden by clouds.

https://goo.gl/maps/rX6HTzuqqvasWeV37

58 minutes ago, Pooreye said:

Thank you for a fantastic thread! And now is the perfect time to ride, with the rainy season on its last legs, keeping the smog from the Asian burning culture at bay. The surroundings are still lush and green, very nice driving conditions!

 

Time to take a week or two off from wife and house!

But my low-underbelly Forza touring scooter prefer paved roads haha.

So far about 1000 km on the Kanchanaburi trip.
I just told wife I won`t come back until next week or so????

Thanks, it's always fun travelling around whatever the bike. Some of my best memories were from my PCX rides. ????

I will start riding again soon and posting more photos.

59 minutes ago, d4dang said:

Looks like you are ready for a ride in Nepal. Fantastic scenery riding along the Himalayas. When you get to remote areas, the locals always say 'the road is good'.  The good road kicks your ass but you find yourself in incredible places.

Maybe one day ????

1 hour ago, jvs said:

Ok, i see.Did you have your ribs x-rayed?

Bruising hurts more then breaking and you can wrap them to ease the pain.

All part of biking and one of the reasons traveling with more people is usually safer but i also like going alone and do my own thing.

I stop where i like and how long i like and luckily there are now more and more camping sites to stay.

 

Looks a great set up, wonderful view too.

No, i did not have an x-ray as really only time heals.