<deleted> all to do?

[Rsteeltje]

Being restricted to travel within Thailand I decided to do some motorcycle tours. Nothing hardcore off-road or 180km/h suicide trips but leisure riding around CNX. I hope that this info helps some of you to stop doing whatever it is that you are doing behind your computer and use your right hand for the throttle for a change. Shape and length are similar so you should get used to it in no time.

 

You should be able to open the links to google maps and from there send it to your mobile phone for directions. If parts or all of the trips are already known I apologize. Below is a selection of some of the trips:

1 Dirt road between the 118 and the 1001

https://goo.gl/maps/XGXgNKwZt1dRcNjq7

I don’t like the 118 on a bike but it’s the only way to do this trip. But as soon as you leave the 118 you will be in another world. First couple of km’s is concrete but then it turns into a nice dirt road going thru the jungle. Can be done on a scooter. Some parts are a bit challenging so I would do it with a buddy. You will end up at the 1001. Follow this for a couple of km’s and then turn left on the 4031, which in itself is a nice road (partly dirt). The way back to CNX brings you across the Mae Kuang bridge.

 

2 Good asphalt road thru the boondocks to the west of CNX

https://goo.gl/maps/DKgQx8i5LdPHi48M6

The first part of this windy road, 4063 is full of coffee shops but the 1252 is hardly used and you will encounter very little traffic. Again, this can be done with a scooter as long as the breaks are OK, Not kidding, check your breaks. Many waterfalls on the way so have fun exploring them. Close to the end of the trip, Tharnthong Lodges have nice snacks/meals/drinks. And yes, they don't pay me to write this.

 

3 This is 95% asphalt but for 5% you need a dirt bike (mine is KLX 150) so better bring a dirtbike.

https://goo.gl/maps/DAri6tV9rSQuUn3TA

then there is unmarked track (not on google maps but clear to follow) and you continue:

https://goo.gl/maps/Nj57Cige8gu3f24T6

The dirt tracks although a minor part of this trip can be very slippery and steep. Not for newbies. That said, while we were struggling on some steep parts some 70 year old locals came whizzing past. B@sterds!

On the 1230 you will see one of the largest monk's statue in Thailand. You can't miss it. After checking out this work of art cross the road and check out the depiction of the Buddhist hell behind the wat (x rated). The good part, your visit to hell is before the dirt part of the trip. So if you crash it will not seem too bad.

 

4 Road to Pai via Samoeng and Wat Chan, only asphalt.

https://goo.gl/maps/hj2PrY58gwR7sqFp8

This is a famous one. Not the shortest but a nice winding trip all the way to Pai on quiet roads. Stay in Pai for one or two days. Coming back you can use the 1095 which has hardly any traffic nowadays. Take the 3009 to avoid most of the 107. Easy to do on scooter. Last month when we returned it was raining the whole day. A beautiful ride, all the switchbacks in the pouring rain.

 

 

Needless tips?

Download this part of Thailand for off-line use so Google maps keeps working when you’re without signal.

Make sure you have a full tank.

Make sure your breaks are OK.

Bring enough water.

In the next couple of weeks I will do trips to Sukhothai (scooter) and Mae Hong Son (dirt bike). I will avoid all major roads as much as possible so these trips are for the faint of hearts and pussies like myself with a speed limit of 80km/h. Let me know what you think of the above and if you want to join. If yes, I will propose a trip and who ever shows up can join

Cheers

R'tje

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Puchaiyank]

Glad you have discovered a good way to be the virus boredom...good for you...be careful out there...????

[Rsteeltje]

5 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

Glad you have discovered a good way to be the virus boredom...good for you...be careful out there...????

Thanks. Being careful and lots of luck needed to survive the other drivers.????

[Yorkshire Tea]

The first 3 are also good one day rides on a bicycle ????

Edited September 19, 2020 by Yorkshire Tea

[Rsteeltje]

On 9/19/2020 at 6:26 PM, Yorkshire Tea said:

The first 3 are also good one day rides on a bicycle ????

Not sure what they put in Yorkshire Tea but "normal" people can't do these on a bicycle unless it's an electric one which comes with a bunch of batteries????

[Yorkshire Tea]

1 hour ago, Rsteeltje said:

Not sure what they put in Yorkshire Tea but "normal" people can't do these on a bicycle unless it's an electric one which comes with a bunch of batteries????

Done the first 3 on my bicycle.  No batteries, pedal power only.  Tough climbs ????

 

The Pai via backroads is an overnighter on a bicycle, but I know people who've done it.

 

Recommend all of them for "lesser mortals' with motorbikes.  Beautiful out there ????

Edited September 23, 2020 by Yorkshire Tea

[Moonlover]

The routes are not of much use to me living, as I do in Issan, but the inspiration certainly is! I love to get aboard my motorcycle and just ride.

 

We have some lovely routes to the south and west of us through hills which divide Sakon Nakhon from Kalasin. Weather permitting I'll be up there tomorrow whilst Madam Moon is off to visit her daughter.

 

Time permitting I'll take lunch down by the Mekong and then visit the Shrine of the Martyrs.

 

There is nothing in this world quite like the freedom of a motorcycle.

 

Sorry, I realize that this is the Chiang Mai forum, but I just got revved up!

 

 

Edited September 23, 2020 by Moonlover

[richard_smith237]

I’d love to get my motorcycle on a train and get up to Chiang Mai do to some of these trips, especially with like minded people....

 

But, getting the motorcycle out of Bangkok and all the way up to Chiang Mai is no longer doable on the train (150cc limit I think). 

 

I don’t want to ride that far just to ‘get up there’ - I’ve driven highway 1, its not great fun. 

Taking side trip and days to get up to Chiang Mai also doesn’t really interest me. 

Using a Pickup to courier my bike up there may be the option, but I guess an expensive one. 

 

I suppose the only option remaining is to hire a bike, but then its not quite the same as riding my own - still the best option though it trusted hire shops with very well maintained bikes could be recommended. 

 

The issue there is ‘dropping the bike’ on muddy off-road surfaces (which is likely to happen) and being charged a fortune for any scratches. 

[Moonlover]

6 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I’d love to get my motorcycle on a train and get up to Chiang Mai do to some of these trips, especially with like minded people....

 

But, getting the motorcycle out of Bangkok and all the way up to Chiang Mai is no longer doable on the train (150cc limit I think). 

 

I don’t want to ride that far just to ‘get up there’ - I’ve driven highway 1, its not great fun. 

Taking side trip and days to get up to Chiang Mai also doesn’t really interest me. 

Using a Pickup to courier my bike up there may be the option, but I guess an expensive one. 

 

I suppose the only option remaining is to hire a bike, but then its not quite the same as riding my own - still the best option though it trusted hire shops with very well maintained bikes could be recommended. 

 

The issue there is ‘dropping the bike’ on muddy off-road surfaces (which is likely to happen) and being charged a fortune for any scratches. 

You might think about sending it up there by Thailand Post. I've read of quite a few successful deliveries.

[Rsteeltje]

Yip, We have sent bikes from Chiang Mai to Isaan by post without a problem. So Bangkok to Chiang Mai should also be possible.

Edited September 27, 2020 by Rsteeltje

[happysoul]

Hi,

 

Thanks for sharing the rides. Good idea.

 

I'm cycling now but still know quite some neat loops around Chiang Dao (Muang Khong, Wiang Haeng, Pai, Arunotai, Doi Ang Khang, Prao...). So if once you plan to visit North, drop a MP and we'll meet in front a beer to show you those neat loops.

 

Cheers!