johngooding

With the flu bugs and hysteria spreading fast I have just been informed that the school we were visiting Thursday morning will be closed in line with a number of other schools.

We have therefore little choice but to postpone this ride.

We are discussing the possibility of trying to organise a meet up between Udon, Nong Khai and Khon Kaen riders on next Sunday instead, but we have no plans for route or timing yet. Any ideas welcome.

Apologies for the postponement

John Gooding

I ride as fast as I feel comfortable and in full control. That varies depending on road, traffic, weather, time of day etc.

On roads like Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai which I have done many times and know well there are some very quick stretches, and some slower parts, what is comfortable for me may be fast for someone and slow for someone else.  I am not into telling someone else what is too quick or too slow, we all have different levels of competence, experience and equipment, and I have no problem with the driving standards over here, your just get to appreciate whats possible and whats not.

I enjoy my Thailand biking so much more than I ever did my 'civilised' UK biking,  and I ride a lot quicker over here and still keep my licence.

Well done Tony finding some better roads than the 107 to reach those great mountain roads. Will have to try your route next time I am up there.  Cheers John

Thanks guys for the write up and pics, great to hear you had such a good trip.

Really enjoyed meeting up with you in Khon Kaen and getting a bit of a ride in together, sorry about the rain but I guess you got a bit more of that later on as well.

Hope to run in to you again before the year is too old. john

To Jim's family members.  I send you condolences and best wishes from a fellow motorcyclist in dealing with your sad loss.

I have not posted before because sadly I never got to meet Jim and I felt I had no right to add my comments. I would have met him in Chiang Mai that Friday night had not the accident occured so I feel doubly bad about that also.

The reason that I am posting now, is because of your positive reactions to the posts; and also would like to tell you that while Jims hobby might seem to have been a terribly hard task master and ended tragically, I know from personal experience that it can be a wonderful way to settle into and discover a new country and has been a tremendous help to me in making many new friends, and having a great time in many different towns, festivals and biking events. From what I have heard that had been Jim's previous experience also.

This has been a very sad event for the motorcycling community in Thailand and we will be thinking of you as we also share your loss.

Very best wishes.   John Gooding

Hi Go to the Immigration Office,THEY,LL rub you up the wrong way!!

I know its off topic, but actually the immigration office attitude seems to be much improved, had nothing but good service there.

Felt I should challengethis comment as one often makes ones own destiny in these things.

Hi Lads, Some nice pics and reports. Sorry no camera for me this trip. Enjoyed being out and about with you and the weekend here around KK too.

Confirming what Bard says about following the bike in front, can get to be almost hypnotic, just following the lines. For me ideally the bike ahead is just about in sight some of the time. I think I get a better appreciation of the scenery as well. Same problem if you have a bike right on your tail, I prefer to let them pass rather than constantly watching them in the mirrors. We each have a slightly different idea of speed in and out of corners and lines etc, so works better that way and a lot safer if something unexpected happens. Just means the faster guys stay in front and slow down a bit or wait up on the less interesting bits.

However can also be great sometimes to follow guys who know the road well, like following Ian Bungy when on his turf and I do not know the roads, even then not too close.

Interesting what the view of this is after a few days on the track, looks like you have to be following the bike in front??

Good to see many of you guys in Khon Kaen.

We are writing a closing report and would appreciate any feedback, positive or negative to help us understand what would make a better event next year. Just a couple of comments, not an essay, unless you feel inclined.

Please send any comments to [email protected] thats Khun Bad, the Thai guy who did most of the work for the event.

Appreciate your help and hope to see you out and about soon.

cheers, John

Thanks for the report Grant. It was fun to ride with you and would be happy to join you for some of th Northern parts of your trip if it fits with timetables here.

Not quite figured your links, Do you just paste whole thing into Google maps?

Cheers, John

Not too sure where these road works are as I use this route regularly, and apart from the ones near Uttaradit which have never been a problem, I have not found any, also Ian came down it to Khon Kaen this weekend. I will ask him, anyway I will be going up to CM on wed by car so will check out 11. I usually divert from 11 after Uttaradit anyway if I am going to Udon.

Will post after my CM trip this week.

Hi Bard and guys.

First, maybe Tony and Trent will confirm as they were at KK, but noone seems to have any hard info on anything other than maybe a few guys who like vintage bikes getting together, but even that is not in  town but somewhere in the province. Yamaha guys from Khorat knew of  nothing..  Forgive me if there is secret info that I have not ferretted out.

Secondly, I hve done both routes you posted. The shorter one has no fuel problems. The second longer route via Nan, has some great roads, but only really enjoyable by breaking into 2 with an overnight stop in Nan.   I could do it in one, but see no reason as it would be a very long day, virtually no time to stop apart from fuel, probably finishing in the dark and see very little of the great countryside because of the speeds needed, so not my bag, but I would not stop you having a go at it as some sort of endurance feat. I would be happy to take the other route and meet you in Udon.  There are a couple of long sections with no fuel but nothing over 100km, so just have to fill up, can tell you where if I study the map a bit more.

Well Saturday rocked at KK bike week. Great ride out which unfortunately Trent was not able to attend as he seems to have had some trouble sleeping.  Great evening and not yet heard wether the guys got any rest last night.

Hi Guys,

This thread moves so fast us slow guys are struggling to keep in touch with what the final plan is.

I will definately meet up with you in CM on the 5th, and see what the ongoing plan is. May have changed a few times by then?

Khorat may be some sort of vintage bike meet, should be able to find out today as the Khorat bikers are up here in KK for the bike week.

Cheers John

Sorry for your disapointment.

As far as the Bike WEEK title goes, all these similar events have the same misleading title.  It is never a week, usually one day as was Vol 1 here last year.  Typically people arrive during the day, including the stallholders, and its set up for a big party in the evening when its not so hot. Sometimes accompanied by a ride the day before or after.

This year the Tourist authority asked the committee to make it 2 days Fri and Sat,   I have helped in organising this year and we did have a program of events for Friday and Sat, with all the main activities on Sat finishing with a big party Sat night.

I too am embarressed that little apart from setting up was happening Friday, but we did have a busy day, the organisers were in various places, recieving stallholders, showiing people to hotels, meeting the Yamaha rider team from BKK and meeting up with Harley mangagement from BKK in a different place. Incidently those here seem to have had  a great night out in KK, 

Now Saturday morning all is ready for a great day and night, starting with an escorted ride out at 10.00 today.

Next year I will make sure all published information represents what will actually happen. (as best as I can  TIT)

Sorry for the poor impression you got

I hope you are still around and enjoy today.

BTW  next year it will still be called Khon Kaen Bike Week.  John G

Hi folks,

Got to see this one a bit late, its now 6.20am on Sat morning. Out at the show site all day yesterday till late.

Coming from the South Makro is on the left side. 100m before Makro is the entrance to Patunam. Yes it was a dirt lot. It now has about 4 Rai of newly cast concrete on which everything is set up for a great day today.

The KK girls are gorgeous and very friendly, as is my wife, but not so friendly if I go on any more about this subject, so will leave that to others.

Hope to see many of you there today.

Cheers, John

Please note the phone number given above for the Rim Bueng Hotel is a personal mobile not the hotel.

The hotel is 043 227 890

The hotel is in a good location facing Bueng Kaen Nakhon, parking for bikes underneath.  Large simple old rooms but quite clean and at 300Baht, very good value for a short stay.

Hi Allan,

Confirm what Ray says. Khon Kaen only has bikes up to 200cc (Phantom) available for hire. Ray knows places in Udon that have bikes up to 400cc. Sometimes bigger available but normally only to people who are wishing to buy, so testing them for a while.

Hope you get something satisfactory sorted. Cheers John

Tony said "That looks great John! I'm looking forward to the ride and trust you'll show us some good twisty KK roads! "

I know we are not noted for that, but the good news is that YES WE DO HAVE SOME  good twisty roads on the route, even some small hills as a bonus.

Those coming or thinking of coming may like to check the link below.  Shows our intended Saturday ride route, includes some pics from the villagers from the school we will be visiting  Cheers  John

http://www.khonkaenbikeweek.com/main/compo...weekroutesurvey

Hi Allan, Good to hear you are coming. Just come off the phone to book you a room and they tell me Allan just booked 2 minutes ago, so I guess that must be you. This post probably not make sense to those who did not see your post before editing, but maybe a sense of mystery on the forum is not so bad

Hi Tony,

Khon Kaen Orchid, is new, very nice clean rooms run by some ex neighbours of mine who are very good hosts. Derek, from Ireland and Jung his lovely Thai wife. They only have about 15 rooms in all and so may book up quickly.  There is plenty of other clean, not quite so new accom available with AC from 300 Baht up. Anyone needing help booking pm or email me.  Have a good safe ride up and see you soon. Cheers, John

Hi Anthony, Good to see you to up in Udon. Sorry you cannot make KK, my home town. Maybe next year, we will try for bigger and better each year and already agreed next year to have a Miss KK bike week competition, probably dry T shirts though. Applications for judges come later. I think Khorat conflicts with Trent, Tony, etc trip to MHS and Chiang Mai, in which case sorry will not see you there either. But there will be somewhere else. Cheers john

For those interested we have recently made two short TV programmes about the upcoming bike week. Both should be aired tommorrow Thursday 12th Feb. 

Channel NBT Between 8.15 and 9.00am programme Isaarn Today. Interview with 3 of the committee, Mine recorded in English today, Two Thai guys live tmro. 

Channel TGN Thai global news. Associate company of channel 5. 

Siam spotlight. 30 minute programme recorded in BKK studio. Again English and Thai Aired between 4.15 and 5pm again Thur 12th. 

Tune in if you have the time.

Bike Week Fri 20th Sat 21st Feb Patunam Khon Kaen

www.khonkaenbikeweek.com

Hi Allan,

Good idea about the GPS coordinates.

Decimal    Long  102.81263   Lat  16.40120

DMS        Long   102d 48m 45.6s   Lat  16d 24m 4.1s

May I also add detail about camping search..   We do not appear to have any formal campsites.  There is a lake 3km from the event, I am told people camp on a flat grass area sometimes, there are toilets nearby, but I do not know if they are open all night. We are trying to contact the Pu Yai Baan, to see what can be done. However the Patunam bike show site owners have now confirmed that people can camp on the show site if they wish, there is a flat, poorly grassed area. 24 hours toilet and washing facility, and 24 hours security. It is not a quiet country site but there would be no charge for camping there.

Events calender should be uploaded to khonkaenbikeweek.com shortly, but summarising

Fri 20th   10.00am   Opening

                           Various games, displays of BMX Extreme and Motocross plus Super monster surround sound car and audio show during the day.  Day ends at 6.30pm. No evening entertainment provided.   I suggest people arrive during the day, maybe touch base with the showground and enjoy an evening/night out in Khon Kaen.  I am happy to provide info on the various types of entertainment available to those requesting by email or pm.  No charge for Entry for Friday or Saturday until 5pm.   

The Pratunam area is a developing market area mainly for clothes. Many shops are open already, so the ladies may enjoy that, the bike show is on new ground behind the developed area, several Rai of concrete have been cast and shops are being built around the periphery.

Not finished yet so we can use this year only. Food court, toilets available on site.

Sat 21st    10.00am  - 15.00hrs  150km escorted merit ride, taking in some of the most scenic and enjoyable roads in the area. Will include lunch at a school where a donation will be given by the bike committee to the children.

Various events as previous day, all day,  

15.00hrs   Escorted safety bike ride around Khon Kaen town.

16.15hrs    Bike beauty contest application and show  (Thats for the bikes lads not the beauty on the back, sorry the wet T shirt idea was not approved)

17.00hrs   tickets sales for evening concert and show  200 Baht per person

18.00hrs   Happy hour free Drink

19.15  Stage perormance and lucky draw

23.30   Close     

 Tony was in the photos as we were assembling the KK riders to ride up to Udon Bike Party.  As the riders were so slow to arrive, Tony Jim and I rode up together and they followed some time later.  

cheers,   john

Quote:     Moving on, what liquids or greases destroy the O rings in a high quality chain?

The safest course is to use only chain lubes which are clearly marked  " Suitable for use on 'O' ring' or 'X' ring chains.  However some people do not like to use these sticky type of sprays.

Engine oil or WD 40 type lubricants should be OK, it is the more agressive solvents in some lubes that can attack the rubber 'O' rings.

There are many threads on the web and camps are divided on what lube type or system is best. 

I can't see that removing a link from a chain will affect anything other than to make it tighter.

Sure it should make it tighter, but they are probably doing it because they have run out of adjustment due to chain stretch, and removing the link is the only way to tighten the chain.