The Golden Triangle Rider

[The SEO Guy]

Started late... left Chiang Mai at 11:15 am and rumbled up 1001 to Phrao for lunch, then out 1150 to Highway 107. At the intersection, angled (left) across the highway and out the small side-road that runs through from Ping Khong, to make a left turn at Mae Ja onto 1178, and then right onto 1322.

Heading into mountains always lifts the spirits of a West Coast kiwi, born and raised in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Through forests, on a motorbike... mate, this is heaven!

People up here build villages in spectacular places!

And the view from the houses on this ridgeline must gladden the hearts of its inhabitants.

By god, the road is certainly a sheer delight... no shortage of hairpins, zig-zags - corners in every shape and form abound.

This road NEVER gets boring - there are little cameo appearances of glorious agriculture in stunning settings -

Then back to work throwing the bike left and right, flicking through gear changes, braking to cruise quietly through peaceful villages...

Glorious panoramas to right and left!

Then, wide-open throttle, up through the gears to the next corner, down through the gears, accelerate out - left, right - repeat endlessly!!!




Eventually, burst out of the forest and mountains onto the Wiang Haeng valley floor, into open fields and pastoral scenes with a mountain backdrop...

This quaint little temple, guarded by a monstrous rooster - that certainly adds a surreal touch to the landscape!

Even this section is narrow and twisty, with some lovely sweeping corners. Rumble through the sleepy little villages of Kong Lom, Chong, Piang Luang and eventually to the end of the line - Lak Taeng. Turn around, its getting late - 4pm - and roll back to do it all again in reverse order. The exit from Wiang Haeng valley sets the stage for the return;

And when you see a sign that says "Sharp Corner" they ain't joking! There are only 3 sorts of corners on this road;
1: Sharp!
2: Sharper!
3: This is ridiculous!


Summary: This was a bloody fantastic ride!!! The road surface is excellent over the entire length, with very few potholes or broken seal. The views are magnificent, and the road is quite incredible in terms of the massive gains and losses of altitude. Throughout the 75kms from 1178 to Lak Taeng, there is absolutely no part of the road without entertainment value! The return trip was equally enjoyable - in my book, that road offers about as much fun as you can have with your jeans on!

Question: does anyone know what the road from Chong through Kae Noi and out to Muang Nga is like? At Chong, it seems to turn to dirt real quick, and I was not up for exploring that alone, at 4pm...
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Ben Kemp

"I eat my dessert first... you never know how much time you have left!"

[Captain_Slash]

I rode it a couple of years ago Ben, I cant remember how long the dirt section was, I will try to find the trip report for you
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[Captain_Slash]

Here it is Ben

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/chiang-mai-to-fang-t1244.html
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

UK 19 Gold Medals, Whinging Aussies 14

[SilverhawkUSA]

[Happy Feet]

the dirt section is 16km long, and after about the first 3km it would be basically 1st gear on the cruiser. but it does make it a interesting loop, when you come of the dirt back onto tarmac its a very isolated feeling, the supermotard bike took about 40min from chong to kae noi so i feel the cruiser you would have to allow 1 hour.
arent the Lisu villages along the 1322 great, i try and stop at lao wu and buy a drink there is always alot of action on the road.
and coming down the 1322 to 1178 for me is more enjoyable then up, the corners seem to flow better.
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