My self and three young mates thought we would give it a go on the dirt. Actually Armin is experienced, so that left three of us who had never ventured into the art of 'trying to stay alive when out of control'.
We arranged for ST Motorcycles from Chiang Rai to deliver four Honda XR's to Little Home Guest House in Doi Mae Salong (always the guest house of choice there) and arranged for Khun Vitoon, the son of Khun Somboon, the owner of Little home to show us around the hills and dales. Brave of him to agree to ride with three inexperienced off roaders who are in the twilight of teenage years.
An early morning start at Little Home
Eagerly anticipating the delivery of the bikes, I was somewhat taken aback at what I saw at the front of the guest house. Thankfully someone else's order it transpired. I didn't think I screwed up the bike order that badly
We went off down the road to get the tyres checked and meet up with Khun Vitoon's two uncles and another mate of his who had come along for the ride
Off down the tarmac we went turning off here and there into smaller roads each time until we came to the start of the off road......
Having a go at this was the start of my numerous encounters with Mother Earth and Khun Vitoon took the bike up for me
but along the way the views were spectacular
and some trails much more manageable than the initial 'jump in the deep end' assent
Even stopped off to give a hand to some guys getting a cow into a pick up truck and so learnt some farming techniques along the way as a bonus, just in case we need these skills in later life
Khun Vitoon provided a gourmet lunch in a perfect setting, brilliant
One of the bikes conked out and refused to start so a quick call to ST and they delivered a replacement within an hour. Truly fantastic service.
Armin went back down the trail to meet the guys from ST and so we took a break and a few snaps
Coming into Mawhpi village of the Lahu, we came accross a ' Church of the Nazarene'. Amazing what you fined in the middle of no where
1
Riding into Mawhpi
A really nice little secluded place is Mawhpi
and the local lads took particular interest in Khun Vitoons Kawaka
More stunning views along the way
And a bit of water work too
but also some tricky stuff to navigate and in my case mostly unsuccessfully. The guy with the stuck bike is local who pottered up on his Honda Wave with his daughter on the front wondering what all the fuss was all about
Having got dressed uup in all the clobber with the 'go' bikes kind of made me feel a bit of a prat when this bloke and his daughter go along these tracks every day as a normal part of everyday life
So all in all, a great experience that says you are never too old to learn but for me, old enough to know that some things are best left to others.
Couldnt have done the trip and come out alive without Khun Vitoon and his crew and the top service of ST Motorcycles.
We arranged for ST Motorcycles from Chiang Rai to deliver four Honda XR's to Little Home Guest House in Doi Mae Salong (always the guest house of choice there) and arranged for Khun Vitoon, the son of Khun Somboon, the owner of Little home to show us around the hills and dales. Brave of him to agree to ride with three inexperienced off roaders who are in the twilight of teenage years.
An early morning start at Little Home
Eagerly anticipating the delivery of the bikes, I was somewhat taken aback at what I saw at the front of the guest house. Thankfully someone else's order it transpired. I didn't think I screwed up the bike order that badly
We went off down the road to get the tyres checked and meet up with Khun Vitoon's two uncles and another mate of his who had come along for the ride
Off down the tarmac we went turning off here and there into smaller roads each time until we came to the start of the off road......
Having a go at this was the start of my numerous encounters with Mother Earth and Khun Vitoon took the bike up for me
but along the way the views were spectacular
and some trails much more manageable than the initial 'jump in the deep end' assent
Even stopped off to give a hand to some guys getting a cow into a pick up truck and so learnt some farming techniques along the way as a bonus, just in case we need these skills in later life
Khun Vitoon provided a gourmet lunch in a perfect setting, brilliant
One of the bikes conked out and refused to start so a quick call to ST and they delivered a replacement within an hour. Truly fantastic service.
Armin went back down the trail to meet the guys from ST and so we took a break and a few snaps
Coming into Mawhpi village of the Lahu, we came accross a ' Church of the Nazarene'. Amazing what you fined in the middle of no where
Riding into Mawhpi
A really nice little secluded place is Mawhpi
and the local lads took particular interest in Khun Vitoons Kawaka
More stunning views along the way
And a bit of water work too
but also some tricky stuff to navigate and in my case mostly unsuccessfully. The guy with the stuck bike is local who pottered up on his Honda Wave with his daughter on the front wondering what all the fuss was all about
Having got dressed uup in all the clobber with the 'go' bikes kind of made me feel a bit of a prat when this bloke and his daughter go along these tracks every day as a normal part of everyday life
So all in all, a great experience that says you are never too old to learn but for me, old enough to know that some things are best left to others.
Couldnt have done the trip and come out alive without Khun Vitoon and his crew and the top service of ST Motorcycles.
