Honda CT125, a testing ride around Issan and the north of Thailand.

[chrissables]

A fun ride checking out the CT125 on and off road.

Day one. Mon 07 Feb.

Pattaya to Ban Kruat 9 ½ hrs. 497km

A boring ride to Rayong and along the main coastal road until the turn off for จุดชมวิวเขายายดา inland from Ban Phae

https://goo.gl/maps/dZunVNuz2HKeC2KN6

 

What a great ride up the mountain to the view point. It was very busy with Thai families jogging, walking and riding bikes up and down. It was a shame the weather was so hazy, so the views were hidden.

From here I rode road 3 to Chantaburi and then northwards on R317 and R3395 to the mountains on the Cambodian border and looking at a few tracks close to Khao Siva Water cave.

From there an easy ride to Ban Kruat.

 

https://goo.gl/maps/fm6ZdYLK93gfmre96

[chrissables]

Day 2. Tues 08 Feb.

Ban Kruat Cambodian border loop. 53 km

I started the day checking an old Khmer Temple near my hotel. Prasat Thong, It’s not on Google maps, but for anyone interested a minute walk from Ban Kruat Resort.

I then decided to loop around some sights near the Cambodian border. The Thai army border lookout at Chong-oh-bok.

https://goo.gl/maps/onodsFZyNwjLj6ed9

There were mine disposal staff clearing out the jungle here. Also they had built a new watchtower.

The next point was Pha-ta-rung, a cliff overlooking a gorge.

https://goo.gl/maps/gcjwhYJ6v5YuMwARA

A short clip of my route.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vMv8QVrQzPO

[chrissables]

Day 3. Wed 09 Feb

Pissing down most of the day, besides escaping to a local reservoir for lunch, that was it.

https://goo.gl/maps/4jomabozaCZ2Ks2v6

[chrissables]

Day 4. Thurs 10 Feb.

Ban Kruat Khmer Temples ride. 105 km.

My first temple was Phanom Rung Historical Park.

https://g.page/Panomrung?share

 

I had been here before, but this time I had more time to walk around and enjoy.

The second temple Prasat Nong Bua Rai, is a small temple very near to Phanom Rung, worth a quick stop for a photo.

https://goo.gl/maps/j7GpxASTACPHudc56

Following on from here I went to Prasat Muang Tam, another place well worth a visit and well maintained.

https://g.page/Muangtam?share

From here I just rode around a little exploring before returning to my hotel.

[chrissables]

Day 5. 11 Feb.

Ban Kruat, closed Khmer temples, and Ma-nao cliff. 196km

My first stop was Ta Meun Temple is just there in the countryside, so always open.

https://goo.gl/maps/efYf7jeJEAq6cHeq8

The next temple was shut, due to covid I think. This was the main part of the Ta Meun complex.

https://goo.gl/maps/HRGMLNBtxVHRpiwU7

Next I tried riding along the Cambodian border to reach Prasat Ta Kwai Temple, but I was stopped by the army and escorted off their land. When I did eventually get there it was closed too!

https://goo.gl/maps/RMdcJjJu3zocnMXM7

From here I went to Ma-Nao Park,

https://goo.gl/maps/1gdnGf2sAFb6zw2WA

which was open and enjoyed the views there before riding back to Ban Kruat.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v7O9VyXBAL6

[chrissables]

Day 6. 12 Feb.

Ban Kruat to Ubon 363 km

I was hoping to see the Aan Mah Border- Aan Ses Border, but I was stopped early on the road South there.

https://goo.gl/maps/FjbPvaDejHzcXTpC8

I just headed for Ubon and I will check some sights from here tomorrow.

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

 

Day 7. 13 Feb.

Ubon to Phu Hin Khang 261km

https://www.relive.cc/view/vDqg77A2XGq

A boring ride until off road, then very enjoyable. It was bit tricky at times through the rocky bits. But I just took it slowly and it was ok.

The track ended in a dead end, but a long way from my destination. I back tracked and found the track marked on the map, 50 meters in there was a tree blocking my way. I managed to get over it, but further down I came to a gully with a tree for a bridge, I would not even walk that! Back at the fallen tree I could not get back over and I was getting a tad annoyed after 30 minutes of trying when I heard a truck on the main track. I tried to wave them down, but they just shouted out “where you go?” Luckily they didn’t hear my reply.

Another 30 minutes and I heard motorbikes, so I made sure they stopped and three young Thai guys helped me lift it over the tree.

I needed to get both mirrors seen to on the way home as they had been smacked around by the jungle.

A great ride on the track though!

[chrissables]

Day 8. 14 Feb.

Ubon to Nong Khai via road 213, the fun road up to Nakhon Sakhon. 652 km.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpYYMmQR6

 

Nong Khai.

A walk on the river front and a visit to Sala Keoku, a strange place but interesting to walk around.

https://goo.gl/maps/DRiBXSAKkEHXm764A

[chrissables]

Day 10. 16.02.21

Nong Khai to Loei. 231km

My first stop was Phu Phra Bat Historical Park, well worth a wander about.

From there I took road south to Ban Meuang Phan and went back north on a track that followed the Pan river and passed Tiger Cave (ถ้ำเสือ), nice easy tracks to ride.

I checked into my hotel in Loei and the soles of my boots had come unstuck, so I needed to attempt a bodge repair.

https://g.page/phuphrabathistoricalpark?share

https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvEj59QwGO

[chrissables]

Day 11. 17 Feb.

Loei to Nan 389 km 10 hours riding

I stopped at Romklao Botanical Garden on my ride, reading about it after I found that there was a conflict there between the Thai and Laotian armies.

https://goo.gl/maps/4RiAR3yaWxFXwwFV6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai–Laotian_Border_War

There were signs warning of mines in the area, and I made sure to ride in the safe areas marked.

I then continued a wonderful ride along the Laos border through the jungle and up to Nan. Roads 1268-1241-1243-4020.

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

[chrissables]

Day 12. 18 Feb.

Exploring Nan. 100 km+

Riding around, I found this mountain by accident.

ดอยน้ำงาว Doi Nam Ngao

https://goo.gl/maps/vgDZjjfWUHMqtuD36

I was riding through village Nam Ngao when I saw a turning up into the mountains. It turned into a track almost at once, steep, but easy riding

It was 5 km to the mountain top flag pole, and you can ride another 5 km before arriving at a dead end. The track was packed clay, if wet it would be difficult in places.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpYdxX7R6

[chrissables]

Day 13. 19 Feb. 156 km

A broken tool box bracket first thing delayed my start and changed my planned route. The hotel owner took me to a small engineering company who welded the bracket back on. I also added another strut the stop it vibrating.

Nan west-north 3046-4002–1091.

Another great route through the mountains. Then time for another run up Doi Nam Ngao

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

[chrissables]

Day 14. 20 Feb.

Nan, a small mountain view point near Laos, Pua, Nan. 268 km

Lots of windy roads on this ride. The viewpoint road was in terrible condition, but it lead to stunning views.

From Nan north on the 1169 and 1081 until the turning for Ban Khun Nam Nan School, then the bad road to the viewpoint.

My return route was back tracking to Bo Kluea, then R1256 through Doi Phu Kha National Park and back to Nan on R101.

https://goo.gl/maps/8y1m8xbBXvp5wYpq6

https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qkjkR1436

[chrissables]

Day 15. 21 Feb.

Nan – Nong Daeng – Nam Pua – Nan loop 212 km

A ride to the end of road 1168 to Nong Daeng. Quiet and remote as it’s a dead end.

https://goo.gl/maps/GgTucNJUdJpbhfzYA

I played around a bit on farmers track before the ride back. Great fun and seemingly endless tracks to keep exploring.

When back in Nan I took a ride up to the Buddha Statue on the hill overlooking the town.

I got back to my hotel, and my camera rolled off the bike seat where I placed it. $200 worth of filter smashed, but at least the lens and camera were ok.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vr637BAYr86

[chrissables]

Day 16. 22 Feb.

Nan to Chiang Rai. 229 km

Very smoky day, no views at all, and I wanted to find a camera shop in the city, so a straight ride through. Nobody stocked the filter, and it needs to be ordered from Amazon. Then the UK cancelled my credit card, so that was that for the trip.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qV9BY8k36

 

Day 17. 23 Feb

Chiang Rai - suspension bridge – Mae Kok River – Mai Ai Loop. 110 km

A friend of mine suggested this route, basically following the Kok river from Chiang Rai. I rode both the north and south side of the river to the suspension bridge, then I stayed on the north side. I was stopped two times by the police or army who had fully armed road blocks, but I was waved through with no issue.

I then took a wrong turn and ended up heading away from the river on some steep tracks until I eventually hit R1089 here on rural road 4044

https://goo.gl/maps/xpRKB343jdqrooCk9

https://goo.gl/maps/5LohgVy5JiX5gqKx7

https://www.relive.cc/view/vevYXo2R7Jq

[chrissables]

Day 18. 24 Feb. Stayed around town.

 

Day 19. 25 Feb.

Chiang Rai – R1208 Mae Kok, Mae Ai Loop. 168 km

I rode south west from Chiang Rai on R1211 then north west on R1208. From this road I took a small track northwards which got a bit tricky in places and very steep. After a small river crossing there were some difficult (for me) steep, rutted tracks and no sign of and regular traffic at all. When I eventually found a farmers dog I was quite relived, very remote and no electric in the villages that I noticed.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq57jjnBQO

[chrissables]

Day 20. 26 Feb.

Chiang Rai – Doi Chang – Mae Suai – Loop 117 km

The road to Doi Chang takes you over a weir, but Google maps take you on a small steep off road loop coming out just after the weir, a more interesting route I think.

Doi Chang is too touristy for me but worth the ride to look around.

https://goo.gl/maps/cNQVAXJbX6XTzToV8

https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqDQgw7pwv

[chrissables]

Day 21. 26 Feb.

Chiang Rai – Doi Bo (Baw) 62 km. 3,800 ft max height.

R1207 north west out of Chiang Rai until the small roads and tracks lead up to the camping and parking area.

I carried on for another 400 meters until the track was to steep and difficult for me. Then I walked up to where I think the top is, the track continues into the distance for a long way.

As I was walking up, a Thai guy came riding up on his scooter with a chicken riding pillion! How the heck he got up there I don’t know, he must have had lower gearing too as it was very steep.

https://goo.gl/maps/VWvjcMmMcKCb7jyM8

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpY3e4VE6

[chrissables]

Day 22. 28 Feb.

Chiang Rai – Doi Chang – Chiang Mai. 316km

I took a convoluted route to Chiang Mai today, it made it a long ride, but a better ride than strait there.

Doi Chang - Mae Ai – Fang - Chiang Mai

Doi Chang R5047 – R3037 – R107

https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv27QBdW4O

[chrissables]

Day 23. 01. March.

Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep Loop. 4,220 ft. 62km

I rode the normal road up Doi Suthep, R1004 and continued on to Doi Pui Viewpoint.

From here I continued past Doi Pui Camping area and down some steep and stony in places tracks until coming out at the army checkpoint near Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir.

https://goo.gl/maps/pQkQG1DzA8oTFbY5A

https://goo.gl/maps/ujxV5z14Boi5N7UP7

https://goo.gl/maps/ywNU5oxrbr6eJrRbA

https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq57egEm8O

[chrissables]

Day 24. 02. March.

Chiang Mai – Mae Kuang Dam – Mae Pang Temple. 221 km

Trying to find the suspension bridge at Mae Kuang Dam was interesting as I wanted to take the scenic route there and Google was sending me all over the place, extremely frustrating to say the least!

Mae Pang Temple was at a dead end and nothing special at all, but the ride through the jungle was wonderful, really quiet, easy tracks and great views. Just what I was looking for.

From the bridge here

https://goo.gl/maps/7p9amycuiSTyzz2N6

Continue north on R4031 until hitting R1001, head east then north until you come to R4049 where you turn east, very soon you are off road. And follow to the dead end here.

https://goo.gl/maps/GadXmDq9m4ttVypp6

https://www.relive.cc/view/vDqg7KYxDVq

[chrissables]

Day 25. 03. March.

Chiang Mai –R3052 mountain exploring loop (Doi Mon Ngo) 4,200 ft max. 171 km

Another interesting day, some off road riding. Lots of up and down mountains.

Chiang Mai north on R107 – R2009 – Unknown road spurred off west in a big loop back to R3052. Then a ride up to Doi Mon Ngo, back onto R3052 northwards before looping back to the R107 and back to Chiang Mai. Some great riding and views with some easy off road tracks.

Doi Mon Ngo was closed, so another trip needed!

https://goo.gl/maps/3EiiKGS5PQcaUnb66

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

[chrissables]

Day 26. 04.03.21

Chiang Mai – Mae Kuang Dam – Mae Pang (failed mountain track route) 206km

I found the dam easily this time as I took the main road directly there.

Following the tracks towards the same temple as last time I turned off and headed for.

https://goo.gl/maps/KqJf1XWJPz5i31UQ9

 When I came to my turn to go up into the mountains and was talking to a local who told me I could not. I think he did not understand the concept of riding for fun in the jungle and directed me to the main road route. But I did not know at the time. It was still a nice ride, but not the trip I was hoping for.

From the point I was told I could not turn at Huai Khrai I continued eastwards following the Sai River the Mae Chedi River until hitting R118 and back to Chiang Mai.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v1OwNGpZdXv

[chrissables]

Day 27. 05. March

Chiang Mai – Mae Wang – Mae Chaem –Doi Inthanon Loop. 280 km. 10 hrs. Max height 5,459 ft.

Today’s plan was Mae Wang and looping back to Chiang, an easy ride. But after finding a newly laid concrete road I decided to follow it and see where I ended up.

Lost was the answer, on sandy rutted and some unpleasant tracks covered in Bull Dust making it difficult to see the ruts and potholes clearly. Combined with it being very hot with dust devils popping up at time it was a challenging ride.

Although there was bad visibility the views were great in place.

Chiang Mai south R3035 / R108, then head west to Mae Wang on R1013 pass Mae Win and Ban Huai Tong R4053 at about this point is the new concrete road

https://goo.gl/maps/5ysxML65nt4tzKWFA

The concrete road eventually turned to sandy tracks then more concrete alternating until just rutted sand clay and sand.

I kept following this track for a few hours, eventually I found someone to ask where I was or the next town was, and was told another few hours to get there. But I think in total off road was 3 hours.

I eventually came to R1088 at Ban Mae Na Chon.

https://goo.gl/maps/5ysxML65nt4tzKWFA

From there it was easy riding back R1192 – R1009 – R108 to Chiang Mai.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vmqX23XyMoO

[chrissables]

Day 28. 06. March

Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep up off road. 63km

I rode up Doi Suhep the opposite way this time starting the climb just beyond Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir.

It was so steep even in first gear it was struggling and a few times I had to paddle with my feet to keep going. I was surprised that I had managed to ride down it without incidents before.

Up near the top it is great in the forest there.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4GVZ3r3q

[chrissables]

Day 29. 07 March.

Chiang Mai back roads to Pai. 195km

Should be a nice route, but the air quality was atrocious, smoke everywhere.

My route R3029 – R3028 – R1269 to Samoeng, Then R1349 – R1256 – R4006-R1095 to Pai

https://www.relive.cc/view/veqz31nE27v

[chrissables]

Day 30. 08 March

Pai-Wiang Haeng-Chiang Mai Loop 264 km

The back road today to Wiang Haeng,  it was only difficult near the end where the bike was struggling to get up the tracks even in first gear.

I carried on to Doi Kham Faa with the intention of riding up to the top, but time was getting short and an hour up and down plus would have left me riding in the dark, which I avoid if possible.

From Pai ride north on R4034 – R6014 – R4014 up to the army checkpoint. Then it was a large loop back to Pai on R1322 – R107 + R1095.

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

[chrissables]

Day 31. 09 March

Pai to https://goo.gl/maps/jea9YRN9fjMQkJQS7

A nice ride. 58 km

I stopped at the Bamboo Bridge on the way. In the green season it would be really nice here.

https://goo.gl/maps/5Cwya6htUg2SKgQ69

The rest of the ride was similar to the off road to Wiang Haeng yesterday, maybe more scenic in the jungle, but the road conditions steep in places. I think there may be a way to continue on that route from the dead end I was at, I should check on satellite images.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqo8wdegyv

[chrissables]

Day 32. 10 March.

Pai – Ban Pang Ung – Mae Sariang

My plan initially was to ride to Mae Hong Son, but I decided to try a new route south to Mae Sariang at last minute. I looked on Google maps and chose their second option route. This was a mistake as there was a lot more off road than I was expecting. But worth it for the views.

From Pai R1095 – R4006 – R1265 – R5050 south until hitting R1263 at Ban Pang Ung, then west to Khun Yuam and south to Mae Sariang on R108

https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOdKpp424v

 

[chrissables]

Day 33. 11 March.

Mae Sariang – Salaween NP – Sam Laep Loop 111 km

I had read about this route a few years ago and it sounded more difficult a ride than my skills, but I decided I could always turn back if need be.

This is how it went, good road – ok road – bad road – off road – cross streams and small rivers – ride along rivers – off road – off bike – back on bike – sulk at coming off the bike – off road - ok road – good road.

Route West from Mae Sariang on R4005 to the Salaween National Park, from here it’s a newly made tarmac road almost to the top of the mountain. From this point it slowly gets worse until you are alone in the jungle with the occasional village to ride through. Small stream crossings at this time of year were okay, but would be interesting in the rainy season. Eventually you arrive at Ban Tha Ta Fang on the Salaween river, with Burma on the opposite bank.

It is then a ride south following the river until you get to Ban Mae Sam Laep. It was on this stretch riding up a steep rutted track in first gear that I came off after hitting a rock and demonstrating how not to wheelie a motorbike. The only spill on my trip and not on the most difficult track. I was a bit <deleted> at that, but no damage to the bike and a small cut on my shin was it.

The rest of the ride got easier as I got nearer Ban Mae Sam Laep and from there good road all the way back to Mae Sariang.

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

[chrissables]

Day 34. 12 March

Mae Sariang – Mae Umong Hot Springs Loop. 154 km

Some great riding today again, but the views were terrible due to the burning. I maxed out at 4,000 ft, it would be nice to see the views when green and clear.

There was also some clearance and burning that could not be legal, a terrible state in places.

Mae Sariang east on R108 and R2010 to the springs from there a clockwise loop on roads R3010 – R1270 – R108.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vE6JgNRn7gq