The sun was shining and the countryside was calling. Down to Chiang Rai and off northwest along the south side of the Kok river. Dropped in to Don's cafe for lunch. 78 year old Don has been here over 35 years I think.
Then off on the side road loop southwest to Bahn Pong Nam Ron and the Huay Gaew waterfall. The road is concrete with just a couple of dodgy sections under repair at present.
Came across the Giant Tree and it sure is a big beauty.
Just bamboo....... but I tried to put both hands around one of these stalks and still had a 6" gap...... ernormous stuff.
Nam Tok Huay Gaew in full flow.
Landslides in various places and the concrete road supported by bamboo and sand bags.
Back to the main road alongside the river and the hot springs.
Up at the "motorcycle bridge".
I concluded that the path along the north side of the river out to Thaton would be better than along the south side....
It's much better than last time I crossed, as handrails have now been fitted.
All easy stuff so far.
But then realised the path doesn't go all the way along the river to Thaton because another river flows into the Kok from the north and there is no bridge....
So it was over the Dois.............................
...........and into the mud............ This is on a steep slope up.... and I'm going nowhere....
Had to get a push from locals about three times, but only dropped the bike twice. Helped push a 4x4 as well, that was stuck. The best option to tackle Lanna mud appears to be "snow" chains, like some of the locals use. 2 hours of sweat and exercise and I was over the top, down to glorious tarmac and a raging thirst, just before dark....
another brilliant day out....:think:
Then off on the side road loop southwest to Bahn Pong Nam Ron and the Huay Gaew waterfall. The road is concrete with just a couple of dodgy sections under repair at present.
Came across the Giant Tree and it sure is a big beauty.
Just bamboo....... but I tried to put both hands around one of these stalks and still had a 6" gap...... ernormous stuff.
Nam Tok Huay Gaew in full flow.
Landslides in various places and the concrete road supported by bamboo and sand bags.
Back to the main road alongside the river and the hot springs.
Up at the "motorcycle bridge".
I concluded that the path along the north side of the river out to Thaton would be better than along the south side....
It's much better than last time I crossed, as handrails have now been fitted.
All easy stuff so far.
But then realised the path doesn't go all the way along the river to Thaton because another river flows into the Kok from the north and there is no bridge....
So it was over the Dois.............................
...........and into the mud............ This is on a steep slope up.... and I'm going nowhere....
Had to get a push from locals about three times, but only dropped the bike twice. Helped push a 4x4 as well, that was stuck. The best option to tackle Lanna mud appears to be "snow" chains, like some of the locals use. 2 hours of sweat and exercise and I was over the top, down to glorious tarmac and a raging thirst, just before dark....
another brilliant day out....:think: