Phu Chee Fah after the haze

[ianyonok]

The smoke haze has cleared, so time for a spin... up Phu Chee Fah for a gander.... I headed cross country to Thoeng to run the 1093 north past Phusang waterfall and into the national Park;

Just beautiful and no traffic this time of year.

Some localised burning going on still....... need the rain...

Phu Mork coffee shop (one of the few open, out of season)

Up to Pratu Siam (The Door to Siam)

Through the "door" for a quick visit into Laos

Looking back up into Thailand

Trenches dug along the ridge in the 70's during the fighting with the Communist Party of Thailand. From here, the Chinese soldiers under General Lee would be able to keep an eye on the Pathet Lao soldiers below to the east.

Pavilion memorial to General Lee

Along the "Yunnan Stone Cliff" ridge to the south

Looking back west

The "Broken Gap in the Mountain"

On a clear day you would see the Kong river from here

More trenches along the ridge

Looking south towards Phu Chee Fah

Looking north along the ridge

 

[David Learmonth]

Good photos Ian. Pleased to see one of the old Beezers back on the road - hope it's running well!

 

[ronwebb]

Nice pictures Ian. I was not aware of Pratu Siam. Must find the location.
Excellent touring bike too.

 

[ianyonok]

A very interesting area, Pratu Siam and Pha Tang chinese village. David has posted some of the history of the area on the forum recently.
The A65 belongs to a friend in the Lanna Independant Classic Motorbike Endeavour (LICME). This is a superb 53 bhp 100 mph machine with plenty of low down grunt and one of the finest front drum brakes ever made.
The 1093 seems like a great road to me, didn't notice any issues.... but maybe it depends on what bike you ride...?

 

[DavidFL]

ronwebb;289942 wrote: Nice pictures Ian. I was not aware of Pratu Siam. Must find the location.
Excellent touring bike too.

Ron
Phu Chee Fah in the rain

and if you're in the Phu Chi Fah area you should always do the "Big Dipper" Phaya Phipak road.
Check it out

R4018 The Phaya Phipak road

 

[Franz]

brake034;289949 wrote:
Guess I will never ride a bike again, anyway in your own thread: https://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/36826-Phu-Chee-Fah-in-the-rain posts #18 and 20

Getting so bad with your infections ? I would wait it out until enough rain has fallen and try again when temperatures are a little more moderate than now, even I have always problems with some infections and my skin if the weather is as bad as it was the past 2 weeks. Get well soon ! Rgds, FR

 

[brian_bkk]

Nice pictures Ian and thanks for including the history of the area..

Will check that out next time up north..

Very interesting.. Thanks

Brian

 

[Rod Page]

Great report covering a wonderful area made enticing by your photos.

I've been out that way several times but (clearly ill-prepared) missed so much up there when visiting. Well done with the 'finds'; a great pointer to the benefit of in depth research in advance.

Keep the quality work flowing.

 

[Franz]

Great report Ian, nice fotos and a perfect bike for this trip !! Keep them coming ! Rgds, FR

 

[ianyonok]

LICME (Lanna Independant Classic Motorbike Endeavour) is a relatively small club, although it's members are expected to expand over the coming years as more club rides are scheduled, accompanied by vigorous beer drinking sessions, as a result of the club's points system (see below). We also expect more bikes to be restored as new members take an interest in preserving our motorcycling heritage.

There are 3 simple rules to membership, but it also helps to have a frivolous nature and a laissez-faire attitude.
Rule 1; Age. The club is open to all bike riders in Thailand of any age and riding any bike, provided they mostly ride north of Nakhon Sawan and the combined age of rider and machine is not less than 100 years.
Rule 2; Don't Panic. The rule is obligatory and to be applied when descending Lanna mountains, when the front brake lever has been pulled back to the handlebar, the brake cable appears to be merely stretching and the single leading shoe front brake is not really reducing downward momentum.
Rule 3; If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix it. This rule is designed to keep classic bikes on the road, where they belong. Members like to show adherence to this rule in a variety of ways; bungee cords holding kickstart levers up (internal springs have broken), pieces of wire holding silencers on (brackets have broken due to vibration), rags stuffed in back pockets (for smothering flames caused by leaking fuel taps) or simply the spreading of large leaves under the bike when parking (to avoid irate guest house/bar/noodle shop owners, when the machine leaks some of it's juices over their front entrance).

We also operate a points system on club runs;
10 points, if you can't get the bike to start when trying to leave home/guest house in the morning. We allow 15 minutes leeway on this rule.
10 points, if you don't make it to the RP (rendezvous point).
10 points, if a piece of bike falls off and is lost while riding, before lunchtime.
30 points, if you arrive at the RP/guest house with bike in the back of a pick-up truck.
The five riders scoring the highest number of points, buy the first five rounds of beer in the evening. Needless to say, we drink a lot of beer.

Unlike most clubs, we don't have a patch or logo, but members can usually be identified by the wearing of open-face or pudding basin helmets, biggles goggles, seaboot socks rolled over the tops of boots or white silk scarves which are occasionally worn in combination with bent coat hangers.
It is a great club to belong to and we have a lot of fun, with rides happening all year round, at least once a week, provided we can get enough members out of their workshops.
If any readers would like to join LICME and can meet the above criteria, just drop me a line and I'll put your name forward at the next committee meeting.

Ian

 

[Moto-Rex]

That for the great photos and interesting infomation Ian.

Ill have to check out the Pratu Siam, maybe even stay a night on Phu Chee Far.

Cheers Moto-Rex

 

[Jurgen]

Great illustration Ian of a majestic trail. I also love the region in the fog (not burning haze) … but clear weather is more colorful. The last stretches to the view points are on “two shoes” … a nice exercise in complete biker’s attire.

 

[brian_bkk]

brian_bkk;289968 wrote: Nice pictures Ian and thanks for including the history of the area..

Will check that out next time up north..

Very interesting.. Thanks

Brian

Hi Ian,

Enjoyed your report so much we went out there today.

Every bit as good as your photo's

Really enjoyed it.

Thanks for posting this as with out this report doubt I would have made it here.

Keep em coming.

Cheers,
Brian.

 

[ianyonok]

Hi Brian,

Great stuff. I bet it was beautiful up there as the air seems a little clearer, since we had some rain. Dramatic scenery as well as interesting history. You can look up at Pratu Siam from the Mekong, if you go by boat downriver...

See ya
Ian

 

[Frans]

Hi Ian,
I am short member from here and first I saw your writing about the now built Chiang Rai circuit, very nice and and good there comes a motor racing circuit in the North.I am very interested and I was student from the Honda Racing School and I must to Thailand circuit for training.( I have a CBR 150 cc but modified to 230 cc) But I am happy maybe possibile fromout september visit CH.Rai circuit. Ian can you tell me where I can find the circuit ? I visit more times Ch.Rai and I like to see the place from circuit. Thank in advance and maybe we meet us there once time ! Greetings , Frans