Seeking route advice - Feb 2024

[TonyH]

Hello all riders,

I am looking for some route advice for a 7 day bike tour planned for next Feb 2024.

We have previously done both the Mae Hong Son loop and the Golden Triangle Loop out of Chiang Mai on hire bikes from C&P Big Bikes.
Next year we are again hiring bikes (Yamaha MT07 and Honda CB750) a planning a new route (not fixed in stone) Chiang Mai - Phrae - Nan - Pua - Chiang Kham - Phu Chi Fa - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai (using many of the roads recommended in this forum).

I am currently looking for advice on the best (best for motorbikes) route from Phu Chi Fah to Chiang Rai, I can see a few options looking at Google Maps and the GTR Maps, but not sure which would be preferred.

Thanks for any help.
Tony

 

[DavidFL]

If you're only stuck PCF - Chiang Rai
The quick direct way would be PCF - the Big Dipper - Chiang Rai on the new 4-lane.

Chiang Rai - R1152 The Other New 4-lane Highway To Chiang Khong.

Whilst the new Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen4-lane bypass is going ahead full speed, Chiang Saen - the new bypass to Chiang Rai there's yet another newbie going on from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong via Phayamengrai & Khun Tan. What the exact route number is going to be I don't know, 1152? but...

www.gt-rider.com

If you want to enjoy your time out there, then don't miss this one

Chiang Khong - The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route

The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route is a one day trip I’ve been looking to piece together for over a year since I discovered a couple of new roads out on the Laos border, south of Chiang Khong. Most people know about R1093 & ride that road along the Laos border, getting on or off at Chiang...

www.gt-rider.com

The Big Dipper: R4018 The Phaya Phipak road

Huai Laeng: Huai Lang / Laeng Another Steepest Road - Wiang Kaen / Chiang Khong

Lao U: The Lao U Road - Sensational, Excitement Plus.

Singapore road: The Sensational Steep Huai Kuk - Pha Tang Loop - Singapore Road

See also

Tours

Chiang Mai motorcycle tour options include many excellent day and multi-day tour options, making the city of Chiang Mai an excellent base for exploring northern Thailand When you first arrive in Chian

www.thegtrider.com

Whatever you do, you will enjoy yourself, & always want to come back for more.
There are too many good places to stop & enjoy. Sometime you never know whether to just ride & enjoy, or to dawdle and enjoy.
Usually if you take the "just ride" mode, you always want to come back & see what you missed. Either way it is win win.

See also

R1290 - Riding the GT Mekong - Paradise Road.

R1290 - Paradise Road - Riding the GT Mekong. R1290 starts @ R1, south of Mae Sai & ends in Chiang Khong, 95 kms away. From Mae Sai it generally follows the border & Mekong river east to Chiang Khong. There used to be an old road R1290 that started downtown Mae Sai & more closely followed the...

www.gt-rider.com

 

[TonyH]

If you're only stuck PCF - Chiang Rai
The quick direct way would be PCF - the Big Dipper - Chiang Rai on the new 4-lane.

Chiang Rai - R1152 The Other New 4-lane Highway To Chiang Khong.

Whilst the new Chiang Rai - Chiang Saen4-lane bypass is going ahead full speed, Chiang Saen - the new bypass to Chiang Rai there's yet another newbie going on from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong via Phayamengrai & Khun Tan. What the exact route number is going to be I don't know, 1152? but...

www.gt-rider.com

If you want to enjoy your time out there, then don't miss this one

Chiang Khong - The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route

The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route is a one day trip I’ve been looking to piece together for over a year since I discovered a couple of new roads out on the Laos border, south of Chiang Khong. Most people know about R1093 & ride that road along the Laos border, getting on or off at Chiang...

www.gt-rider.com

The Big Dipper: R4018 The Phaya Phipak road

Huai Laeng: Huai Lang / Laeng Another Steepest Road - Wiang Kaen / Chiang Khong

Lao U: The Lao U Road - Sensational, Excitement Plus.

Singapore road: The Sensational Steep Huai Kuk - Pha Tang Loop - Singapore Road

See also

Tours

Chiang Mai motorcycle tour options include many excellent day and multi-day tour options, making the city of Chiang Mai an excellent base for exploring northern Thailand When you first arrive in Chian

www.thegtrider.com

Whatever you do, you will enjoy yourself, & always want to come back for more.
There are too many good places to stop & enjoy. Sometime you never know whether to just ride & enjoy, or to dawdle and enjoy.
Usually if you take the "just ride" mode, you always want to come back & see what you missed. Either way it is win win.

See also

R1290 - Riding the GT Mekong - Paradise Road.

R1290 - Paradise Road - Riding the GT Mekong. R1290 starts @ R1, south of Mae Sai & ends in Chiang Khong, 95 kms away. From Mae Sai it generally follows the border & Mekong river east to Chiang Khong. There used to be an old road R1290 that started downtown Mae Sai & more closely followed the...

www.gt-rider.com

Thanks DavidFL!

Already planning to ride to PCF on the R1093 from Chiang Kham, then do the R4018 Big Dipper which I missed out on last time.
This 4 lane you speak of, where does it start and what is the route number? On google maps I can see a route R1421 intersecting R1020 heading towards Chiang Rai, is this the one?

Cheers
Tony

 

[TonyH]

Thanks DavidFL!

Already planning to ride to PCF on the R1093 from Chiang Kham, then do the R4018 Big Dipper which I missed out on last time.
This 4 lane you speak of, where does it start and what is the route number? On google maps I can see a route R1421 intersecting R1020 heading towards Chiang Rai, is this the one?

Cheers
Tony

OOps, just saw the link you posted, thanks!

 

[DavidFL]

Thanks DavidFL!

Already planning to ride to PCF on the R1093 from Chiang Kham, then do the R4018 Big Dipper which I missed out on last time.
This 4 lane you speak of, where does it start and what is the route number? On google maps I can see a route R1421 intersecting R1020 heading towards Chiang Rai, is this the one?

Cheers
Tony

There is also the Phu Anma loop out of Chiang Kham.

Phu An Ma - Chiang Kham R 1148 - An Amazing Steep Loop

Phu An Ma is a majestic 16,58 metres mountain peak off R1148 & behind Phu Langkha, close to the Laos border. photo from Ian Yonok Ian Yonok from Chiang Saen has been to the peak & camped out a night there in his hammock. His report on GTR is here Chiang Kham Loop & Phu Arnmar Camping Last...

www.gt-rider.com

Dont forget this ripper too

Doi Phachi & the ex communist HQ for Phayao - Khet 7

Doi Phachi / Santisuk is an old Hmong village way up in the mountains straddling the Nan / Phayao border. Once upon a time it was the Phayao HQs of area "Khet 7" of the communist in the battle for North Thailand. Like many other remote out of the way ethnic villages in the mountains it was...

www.gt-rider.com