Motorbike Trip-adventure To The South

[siamerican]

Last March, I did it on my Kawasaki ZX 130 semi automatic. Way goin down (bkk to hkt), went Asia Highway to Highway 4 via Ranong and Phanga. Comin back via Phanga to Surathani back highways to Chumporn and back on to Asia highway. Broken into two days its quite a nice ride, considering with these small bikes, gots to refuel every 120-140 kilometers, so there's plenty of opportunity for breaks.

I'm plannin to do the trip again as I got to go and see my family/son in Phuket. Shootin to depart Bkk Wednesday May 28, if not the day after. Though can delay till the following Monday if I get caught up in work.

As the last trip (which you can read in detail on my blog located at the url with the same name as my user id plus the dot com) I'll plan to break the trip up in two--perhaps even three days-legs, depending on the weather. This time, I plan to take a tent to bunk up on some secluded beach in Chumporn, or perhaps even Ranong if I get good timing. Not sure though as the Surathani backways seemed more safe appealing and peaceful though, so might just skip out on the Ranong route.

Anybody with business in Phuket, idle now in Bangkok with a motorbike and want to join me on this venture, do hit me up. I can assure you it's quite a breathtaking, spirit-freeing and beneficial drives-escapes that is well worth every minute and memory. Fuel for most newer bikes should be under 800 baht per leg (about 900 km each way), granted extensive detours aren't taken. Plan is to sleep in a tent, though plenty of truck stop hotels along the way if calls for.

Anyone intersted?

[Macx]

Sounds like a nice ride.

Have you tried the hot spring in Ranong? Nice stop after a long day in the saddle. Great restaurant just up the canyon too.

I've got prior commitments otherwise I'd join you. Good luck. And don't forget the rain gear.

[siamerican]

Bump...see following post

Edited May 21, 2008 by siamerican

[siamerican]

Bump....

Even if no one is interested in embarking on such a trip, surely there is some words of encouragement, advice, support, and or suggestions to be had???

BTW, which particular hotspring are you referring to in Ranong. Apparently there are quite a few. Though, as said, Surathani route appeals as a much safer and peaceful route, considering the narrowness and speed of the highway through Ranong and Phanga...

[zorro1]

I had a look at your blog and a thumbs up from me however it was a bit unnerving the way you keep referring to yourself as a third person. I have done a few bike trips in my time back home to "get away" but then did the ultimate getaway by coming here. My thoughts are you wont get much of a response but I hope I'm wrong and will eat my words. Have a great trip

[Macx]

There are several hot springs, from what I've heard. The only one I've been to is the one right on the edge of town. It's the one all the local residents go to. They've built a spa next to it. A hotel is going up too. Just look at the city map, you'll see it. There are street signs all over town. You can't miss it.

The Surat Thani route is nice too. You can cut over to the west coast on any one of the smaller roads, just before hitting Surat (going south). I did it a few months ago on a bicycle. It was a nice ride. A bit more traffic around Phang Nga, but on a motorbike it shouldn't be a big deal.

It has been raining plenty the last few days/weeks down in Phuket so I'd expect the same or more a long the Ranong route.

Have fun.

Cheers

[Marvo]

Just got a new CBR150 last week and thought of doing my visa run to Ranong on it this week but 8-10 hrs there and back riding in the rain didn't appeal .

[siamerican]

Thanks everyone for the responses.

I think I will just do Surathani route and perhaps Ranong route back. Yea, I didn't dig the southern Phanga traffic so much coming back to Bkk last March, though it wasn't so bad coming down from Ranong-Phanga on highway 4, considering that segment was driven in the night on that leg.

Marvo, if you're not in a rush, it's worth the day drive, particularly the view in Ranong, though that highway is pretty narrow and fast paced...sounds like you got time limits though.

For sure, the monsoons are a' comin. Hence the allotted three to four days in what could be done on the small bike in 15 hours, if one didn't waste much time and had good weather all the way. In any case, such long trips are more safe and worthy when paced.

In my first such trip last March, going down, first day I only drove 160 km from Bkk to Phetchaburi and stayed with some friends, and on the second day travelled from 7 am till 11pm arrival in Phuket (think it was some 750 km that day)... The way comin back up was two even 9 hour days.

That trip definitely left a memorable impression on me and I'm ready to do it again as soon as I can clear up my work in Bangkok.

With rain delays and hold ups probable this time of year, I got to calculate at least twice the time. Though I won't mind catching up with the rhythm and song of the rain--I'm sure nature's got much to tell, if not fuel for thought.

Edited May 22, 2008 by siamerican

[siamerican]

well, work is cleared up for the moment, and I'm planning to head out soon. If not tomorrow, Friday morning, than perhaps Sunday or Monday.

Anyone, not too late to join up?