Nothern loop route advise

[Hili]

...

[villagefarang]

I agree that a Monster is a very good size for Northern roads. Capturing good road images can be difficult as it is not easy to stop on some gradients. That said there are some really great roads up here.

[villagefarang]

Here is another shot from the Nan area.

[Hili]

Here is another shot from the Nan area.

Indeed the road condition were nearly perfect, some parts look pretty new

[villagefarang]

That is usually because they got washed out the year before.

Edited December 26, 2013 by villagefarang

[RubberSideDown]

Great pics, Villagefarang.

[andrew55]

Great pics, Villagefarang.

Always the best photos and great input overall from Villagefarang.

He probably doesn't need our approval but I'd like to second yours RSD.

Reason for edit - think I broke rules by mentioning a blog

Edited December 27, 2013 by andrew55

[ll2]

That is usually because they got washed out the year before.

yes, i remember that road was so messy a couple of years ago. run offs and road and bridge constructions.

it looks super now!

[Hili]

Ok guys iam continuing my trip from chiang rai i will head to phu chi fa. Now there are 2 routes the 1173 or 1152. Which one do you think is better?

[villagefarang]

1152 is the older road and takes you past Nong Luang and Santiburi Golf Course. I use the 1173/1326 more often and it joins the 1152 at Sop Pao and then continues on to Phaya Mengrai and on to Baan Taa. Of course there is also the 1020 which goes directly to Thoeng.

From Thoeng most people will take the 1155 which is the valley road. The 1193 is the mountain road and takes you north of Phu Chi Fa to Pha Tang or south to Phu Sang Waterfall. Both are interesting but it is a long ride to do both.

To confuse you even more, my favorite is to climb over Phaya Pipak or Doi Yao as we call it locally, instead of going to Thoeng. At Baan Taa you turn left heading toward Chiang Khong to find this road. From my house the Phaya Pipak road cuts the drive to Phu Chi Fa in half, from 80 to 40 kilometers. It is very steep with very tight turns, especially going down the other side. There are a couple view points on top and a hill tribe village.

Does any of that make sense?

Edited December 27, 2013 by villagefarang

[villagefarang]

Here is a view of the road coming down from Phaya Pipak.

[Hili]

Thanks, currently i planned as follows

1233 - 1173 - 1326 - 1152 - 1020 - 1155 - 1093

Final destination is Pha Thung. Hope thats ok

[villagefarang]

Look for the road that goes over the mountain if you turn left on the 1020 at Baan Taa instead of turning right toward Thoeng. It is not a high speed road but it is dramatic.

What you have listed will work and should be a great ride. I just like the other road because I live in the area.

Edited December 27, 2013 by villagefarang

[Hili]

Wow the scenery is getting better and better, just arrived in pha tung. A long part of 1020 is under construction, other roads were fine.

[villagefarang]

Sorry, I forgot all about that one section being under construction.

[Hili]

Sorry, I forgot all about that one section being under construction.

No problem, surprises and unexpected things are a part of such a ride and makes it even more exciting. Tomorrow going to Chiang Khong – Chiang Sean.

Today i can touch the sky already

[ll2]

Sorry, I forgot all about that one section being under construction.

No problem, surprises and unexpected things are a part of such a ride and makes it even more exciting. Tomorrow going to Chiang Khong – Chiang Sean.

Today i can touch the sky already

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1388225165.831323.jpg

Hahass. Perfect!

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[Hili]

After visiting phu chi fa (which wasn't that impressive as thought) went to chiang sean. The 1093 and 1155 is in good condition and quite enjoyable, 1020 up to chiang khong is also good but once getting on the 1129 to chiang sean it mostly bumpy roads and under construction. Still passable but takes some time....

Tomorrow heading back to chiang rai

Edited December 29, 2013 by Hili

[Hili]

Any idea which route from chiang sean to chiang rai is better?

The 1016 - 1

Or

4004 - 1029 - 1

Edited December 29, 2013 by Hili

[pastafarian]

Via Doi Luang then the 1209 or 1271 is nice ride.

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[paz]

Excellent, thank!

I'm noting this thread for future riding, hopefully not too distant future.

[Hili]

Excellent, thank!

I'm noting this thread for future riding, hopefully not too distant future.

Dont wait too long its absolutely worth it i am regretting i didn't do it earlier. If you can still make it in Jan the temperature will be also really nice for riding. Best riding experience ever; as well a great time to calm down and relax from the rush of normal life and <deleted> up BKK.

Thanks again to everybody that gave me suggestions on routes specially Villagefarang.

Today will go from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai via 118.

Happy new year and a great new years eve!

[H1w4yR1da]

How's the new year traffic up there?

[pastafarian]

The new year traffic is the same as always and that is absolutely manic! Now and Songkran are horrible times to be driving (or even worse, riding) up here with loads of traffic from elsewhere, and especially BKK, driving like idiots.

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[pastafarian]

When I say manic I just mean much worse than normal, normal is empty mountain roads which are some of the best in the world for riding bikes so I guess we shouldn't really complain when the circus comes to town for a couple of weeks a year :-)

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[Hili]

It was ok today when i was going from chiang rai to chiang mai. But yes many idiots on the road. Is it just me or do they drive more worth in the north than in bkk? Specially chiang rai is horrible.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Hili

[villagefarang]

Those of us who live up here tend to observe that things get much worse when all the Bangkok people come to visit. They don’t know there way around and have become desensitized to speed by the long drive north. They seem to be in a big hurry and use the aggressive driving habits they have developed for navigating the traffic jams of Bangkok. It doesn’t help that many people are drunk as well.

[pastafarian]

Sure Chiang Rai has its fair share of idiotic drivers Hili but if you visit during any of the big holidays, especially now and Songkran, the worst dangerous/speeding drivers are on BKK plates.

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[Hili]

Sure Chiang Rai has its fair share of idiotic drivers Hili but if you visit during any of the big holidays, especially now and Songkran, the worst dangerous/speeding drivers are on BKK plates.

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I guessed something like that, however I was also a little confused in Chiang rai city with al its intersections. But making sense

[Garry]

Sure Chiang Rai has its fair share of idiotic drivers Hili but if you visit during any of the big holidays, especially now and Songkran, the worst dangerous/speeding drivers are on BKK plates.

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I guessed something like that, however I was also a little confused in Chiang rai city with al its intersections. But making sense

And use the 4 second rule at red lights in Chiang Rai. That's about on the average how long (cough) it takes drivers to realize that the light is not green anymore