The Golden Triangle Rider

Dr. G · Motorcyclist Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 33 Location: USA

Fed bed bugs at Mae Chem Hotel. Bungalows out back new and clean, but full when I got there. No other rooms free in town/or out. Took room in main building (Hotel). Got eaten.
Been hunting roads in the North for 12 weeks. Still like 1148 for high speed (sliding the back wheel), and #1138 to Samokhi (?) for meditation ride through elephant grass. Into Ban Huai Pu Mai good too.
My "Good Guy" nod this last several months goes to Joe/Tom and Joes Goodwill Bike Rental in Chiang Mai. One of his TTR's died in Mai Sai late Thursday afternoon. I stripped it down, but could get no spark. Checked everything, guessed it was the black box. Called him. He took no chances by sending up just a black box on the bus. Instead he got up at 5:00 AM, loaded another bike on his sidecar and rode 3 1/2 hours in cold morning to Mai Sai where we swapped bikes. Then he rode back, charged the renter -0- for the trip. I had to force some baht on him for the gas he used getting up and back. Turned out it was the black box, but no way to tell for sure until back in his shop.
My "Best Bike Rental Place" in Chaing Mai is still Joes. Tell Joe/Tom you saw it here.
Dr. Gregory W. Frazier, sun chasing in Siam
Founding Member - North Thai Tea Drinking Society
www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier

Davidfl · Posted: 23.02.2003, 17:33 Post subject:

DR G good to know you're still enjoying that Siam Sun.
I see you met the bed bugs in Mae Chaem - you should try the ones I had for 3 nights in Phonsavanh, Northern Laos. If the town had some electicity I might have been able to find the Bs & get rid of em, but as it was - scratch & itch all night.

Re Mae Chaem, there are 3 new ghouses / resorts just east of town near the junction of R1192(?) & R1098(?). I have not stayed at any of them yet, but they look nice and clean. Sorry for the lack of names & clear route nos, but I dont have my Thai notes & maps with me in Luang Prabang.

Agreed that Joe & Tom are the best guys for reliable bike service in North Thai. I just got a spare set of wheel bearings delivered to Luang Prabang in just a few days, so they still look after you no matter where you are!

The Laos chapter of the North Thai Tea Drinking Society, is down to one member right now, as Don managed to sneak into Vietnam with his bike at the new intl border crossing that just opened.

I should be back in Cnx in another couple of weeks, for a cuppa or two. Keep my seat warm on the board will ya.
When I get back, perhaps we should go for a thrash on R1148 & hang out in Pua / Tha Wang Pha for the night?

Davidfl
Keep the power on

Jade · Motorcyclist Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 43 Location: USA

I stayed at Mae Chem Hotel a week or 2 ago cas' I couldn't find a room. It was a sh't class hotel, though only the cocks outside woke me up bright & early. Though, no bed bugs for me. Earlier in the week they sure did find me other locations each night.

Accommodations in Mai Sai, had a dog woofin' outside my window. He alerted me in time before the sneaky snake crawled into bed with me.

Despite the fact, watch out for a green snake you may find on ceiling. Every now and then, you can find yourself love being around them.

David, please give me a couple weeks to write some "trip notes" on riding the GT.

Davidfl · Posted: 26.02.2003, 03:47 Post subject:

Jade
Speaking of snakes, the good DR & I ran over a hissing green one yesterday & this morning at breakfast a nice lady tried to sell us one in a plastic bag. The DR was not impressed.
Pls make a brief Road & Trip Report when you are ready - it will be an interesting read. There are 2 other female riders heading to Cnx in the next week, so maybe you an give them some hot tips as well.

Davidfl
Keep the power on

Jade · Motorcyclist Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Posts: 43 Location: USA

A-Low David,

Who's the good Dr. G., never heard of him? I'll e-mail you a draft copy in MS Word. You can edit any road # mistakes for me.

HOT TIPS - Watch out for the men whom like the colour PINK [:I]

Thanks for all your useful info on your webpage. Hope all is well.

~Jade

pamela123 · Cyclist Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 15 Location: Canada

Jade,

I being one of the women heading to Thailand for biking next week would really like to get an advance draft copy of your travels too, if possible. I will be arriving in Chaing Mai around Mar5 for a week or so of biking. Thanks for the colour pink tip- I think I even know enough to realize that this is a jab at someone with pink leathers from this site, hmmm?

Send me an email with your advice if you won't be posting before Mar 5, won't you?

Pam

Cheers