The Golden Triangle Rider

[Captain_Slash]

I left Chiang Khong and took the 1020 to Thoeng after spending a couple of hours with David & Mai having a look around their fantastic new home thats being built. How come Thoeng does not have a 7-11? the ride here is okay but nothing special, then its the 1021 to Chiang Kham which thankfully does have a 7-11, so its a water stop here and a breather. I carry on for a few km then its a left turn onto the 1148 and it doesnt take long before this turns into one of Thailands best roads, in brilliant condition and one of those roads you just cant get enough of. Just after Song Khwae I turn left onto the 1097, a narrow twisty bumpy potholed road that goes to Chiang Klang but it is quite enjoyable in its own way, it could just do with resurfacing soon. I take the 1080 heading for Nan and try to keep to the direct to Nan road but this is difficult and I somehow end up in Pua so its a quick u-turn and I get to Tha Wang Pha and just past here the road gets a lot better, the river runs beside the road and the road itself suddenly gets interesting wuith more bends in it and not so flat. I get in to Nan and go straight to the new Dadarios for a nice lasagna before checking into the Amazing guesthouse which is next door to the old Dadario restaurant. Next morning its over the river and the 1169 to Santisuk then the 1080 up through Pua and right up to the Lao border for the top loop. At one place, I think its at Thung Chang the road has been really widened to like four lanes for a couple of km then you come to this silly little bridge thats as narrow as they come then its the wide road again, are they going to widen the bridge I wonder, but as this is Thailand probably not. I go to the checkpoint then turn left to go up to the border and this road up to the border is diabolical, the surface is so badly rutted its a joke, I have a quick look around then return and carry on with the loop. Its a pleasant road at the moment and an enjoyable ride up in the hills with stunning scenery but after a while the road really narrows and its a shitty surface for some time, then as I am heading south its a new surface with freshly painted lines and a good ride. Sadly this doesnt last long and its back to what I have always known this road to be like and I have ridden it for the last four winters here. I get to Bo Klua and take the 1256 over the mountain, although I have ridden this road many times today is the first time I have ever been this way over, Its like riding a different road for me but equally enjoyable. I take the 1080 back to Nan and its a nice spaghetti carbonera tonight at Dadarios. In the morning its back to Santisuk and the 1081 up towards Bo Klua, there is a 7km section that is hopefully going to be surfaced soon that joins the last new surface heading north. I go to Bo Klua then do a u-turn for about 6km then a left heading for Ban Sop Mang on the 4016, this is getting in a bad state up in the hills so take care with the loose gravel. I emerge at the other end and take the 1257 back to Santisuk and then the 1125 to Mae Charim, this is a newish surface for quite a while and a very enjoyable ride then gets to the older bumpier surface but is still okay. After Mae Charim I ride around on the 1168 for a while visiting a few places that I enjoy riding to and then splat I get my first kill on the Bm, this chicken didnt get out of the way, I felt it go under the wheel and when I looked in the mirror it was doing the death flap. After this I went for a look at the rapids then it was starting to get dusky so it was time for home

If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The Cu-nt In Scun-thorpe

[Tom Forde]

Good on ya Col,
I will miss you this year, but I will be back up in July with a couple of mates, unfortunately I will be hiring the bikes. I will call in to say hello to Dave and Mai, and will definately be looking for the Lasagna shop.
See you around.
Tom

Once u go Asian, forget about Caucasian

[David]

This side of Northern Thailand now has a couple of the best Italian food stops, 7-11s and Rt.1148 which as Colin says; you just can't get enough of.

Cheers - and look forward to seeing you Tom
David and Mai