Time to give the new KLX a real test. So Tom and I headed off to Lam Nam Kok National Park, northwest of Chiang Rai. Tom was on an XR250 from ST bike hire in CR. We headed out of the Viang In Chiang Saen and down the new highway 1016 (75% finished) for some jok moo for breakfast in Mae Chan.
Then 15klm west along the 1089, we turned south at the Police station checkpoint and immediately onto the dirt trail. We were going to head across about 50 klms of dirt roads across the middle of the National Park. Some extreme stuff ahead.....
The camera doesn't show the inclines too well, but this was steep.
Great fun, blasting up these steep tracks.
But the steep rutted downhills are a bit disconcerting. When you know the brakes are not really going to stop your downward progress.... first gear, clutch out, dabs on the rear brake, pick your line, grit your teeth and hope for the best.....
Gorgeous scenery and wonderful riding.
I've not done a lot of this steep dirt riding, so it was quite a challenge for me. Great fun and good for improving one's riding skills.
The jungle hunter and the trail warrior.....
This middle of this park is quite remote, so of course there is some illegal hunting. Not good for the wildlfe population, but not for me to judge, as these people have been doing it for generations. There was also a few signs of illegal logging, fortunately not too much, that we saw.
Down into the valley for more fun at a river crossing....
and another......
and another......
and another......
and yet another...... about 8 in all on this trip.
Then we came to the village of La Bue, our halfway point. The people here must be just about completely cut-off to the north during the rainy season, as some of these extremely steep trails would be impassable on anything.
other hazards
Then the road south from La Bue is a bit easier, as that is the route to Chiang Rai.
Finally we emerged from the jungle above the Karen Ruam Mitr elephant camp, at the Kok river.
So, we took a spin up to the Huay Mae Sai waterfall, which has several cataracts.
Tom takes a dip.
We showed our support for the Ban Jalae Hilltribe Museum.
Then headed for home.
Brilliant stuff, with just a couple of little bruises. A wonderful day out.
However, I don't think I would want to try that trail on my own. If you fell badly and couldn't ride, it might be a long time before someone found you.
Best wishes
Ian
Then 15klm west along the 1089, we turned south at the Police station checkpoint and immediately onto the dirt trail. We were going to head across about 50 klms of dirt roads across the middle of the National Park. Some extreme stuff ahead.....
The camera doesn't show the inclines too well, but this was steep.
Great fun, blasting up these steep tracks.
But the steep rutted downhills are a bit disconcerting. When you know the brakes are not really going to stop your downward progress.... first gear, clutch out, dabs on the rear brake, pick your line, grit your teeth and hope for the best.....
Gorgeous scenery and wonderful riding.
I've not done a lot of this steep dirt riding, so it was quite a challenge for me. Great fun and good for improving one's riding skills.
The jungle hunter and the trail warrior.....
This middle of this park is quite remote, so of course there is some illegal hunting. Not good for the wildlfe population, but not for me to judge, as these people have been doing it for generations. There was also a few signs of illegal logging, fortunately not too much, that we saw.
Down into the valley for more fun at a river crossing....
and another......
and another......
and another......
and yet another...... about 8 in all on this trip.
Then we came to the village of La Bue, our halfway point. The people here must be just about completely cut-off to the north during the rainy season, as some of these extremely steep trails would be impassable on anything.
other hazards
Then the road south from La Bue is a bit easier, as that is the route to Chiang Rai.
Finally we emerged from the jungle above the Karen Ruam Mitr elephant camp, at the Kok river.
So, we took a spin up to the Huay Mae Sai waterfall, which has several cataracts.
Tom takes a dip.
We showed our support for the Ban Jalae Hilltribe Museum.
Then headed for home.
Brilliant stuff, with just a couple of little bruises. A wonderful day out.
However, I don't think I would want to try that trail on my own. If you fell badly and couldn't ride, it might be a long time before someone found you.
Best wishes
Ian
