The Golden Triangle Rider

Bush Pilot · Posted: 26.06.2007, 04:24 Post subject: Iron Butt ride Songkhla-CM

Don't ask me why but I've always had a fascination about long distance motorcycle touring.
And the Iron Butt association seems to epitomize hard core riding.

To qualify as a member you have to document a 1600 km ride within 24 hours.

Songkhla-CM in one of the few 1600km spans here.

I've always wanted to see Songkhla.

They have the famous mermaid
[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1219/618050797_31f8dcca94.jpg?v=0[/img]

I liked the cat and the rat,
[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1131/618051505_e530386554.jpg?v=0[/img]

Songkhla is quite a pretty place, nice long beaches, big trees.
a few pubs, a big university and lot's of friendly people.

I got the manager of the boon sook2 hotel to witness my departure and away I went.

[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1424/618050875_7d2d61a113.jpg?v=0[/img]

I did some supplemental documentation
[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/618051059_1fd54b6e46.jpg?v=0[/img]

The weather was terrific up to Chumpon. Gassed up and on to Nakhon Pathom.
[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/620073779_9ff2d024ac.jpg?v=0[/img]

Arrived Nakhon Pathom 20:44. Lots of traffic and construction after Cha Am.

Rain was looming now. It rained hard for 10 minutes after I fueled then stopped.

I rode till midnight being delighted with grand displays of lighting all around while not catching a drop.
Around midnight it became obvious I was going ride into a big one and I was tired so I stopped at the Chai Nat Motel for a few ZZZs.
Up again at 04:00 and on the to the fuel in Kampheang Phet.
By now I realized my pace has been too leisurely and I needed to pick up the pace.
I was going 160kph whenever I could. Clobbered a couple of birds feathers flying but kept motoring.
Noticed later that my oil temp was unusually warm. That and the wingtip I could see caused me to stop and check.
I still had a whole bird blocking nearly half of my oil cooler. Sorry guy!.
So after nearly dumping the bike on a slick drizzly exit u-turn and testing the anti-lock brakes slowing down for a truck on a wet road I made it into CM with a few minutes to spare:
[img]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/618051105_5fe819cf46.jpg?v=0[/img]

Now I can say I've done it. Though I'm still not quite sure why as I sit here in the Prince hotels soft bed nursing my sore butt with a couple of Changs.
Tomorrow I'm off to Mae Salong to see the changes of 30 years....

Davidfl · Posted: 26.06.2007, 05:07 Post subject:

Congrats Bush Pilot.
Drop by the Fine Thanks Pub from 10.30 pm tonight (Monday). There should be a group of us there celebrating the end of the X-Centre NZ Off-road tour.
If you dont need to rush off to Doi Mae Salong, why not hang out in Cnx for another day to rest your butt & meet some of the local GT Riders...

Bush Pilot · Posted: 26.06.2007, 12:29 Post subject:

^yea I guess I'll fart around here till wednesday.
Maybe catch up with some of y'all today.
I was asleep early last night.

Davidfl · Posted: 26.06.2007, 20:44 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bush Pilot
 ^yea I guess I'll fart around here till wednesday.
Maybe catch up with some of y'all today.
I was asleep early last night.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

PM-ed you my mobile number.
But meet at the Kafe 6.00 PM tonight - Tuesday 26th June.

Bush Pilot · Posted: 26.06.2007, 21:36 Post subject:

Right, I'll give a ring.
It was a bit of luck staying an extra day.
While out at a friends place swimming this morning I spotted that my rear tyre was coming apart. I hustled over to the dealer and got a new set to be delivered tomorrow morning.
I just dialed your # and no answer.
Alex

tropicaljohno · Posted: 27.06.2007, 04:36 Post subject:

Alex, congratulations and well done...... wonder if anyone else is considering joining the Iron Butt Club....

At least now you can cruise around a bit slower, and enjoy the great scenery up there.

PICO-PICO · Posted: 29.06.2007, 20:26 Post subject:

Hi ALEX, I am joining your BUTT admirer club.
Saw you GPS shots, what map is your system using, how realiable ? Small details ?? How frequently updated ?

Cheers and Thanks
PICO

Bush Pilot · Posted: 01.07.2007, 14:51 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PICO-PICO
 Hi ALEX, I am joining your BUTT admirer club.
Saw you GPS shots, what map is your system using, how realiable ? Small details ?? How frequently updated ?

Cheers and Thanks
PICO
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have the Thailand navigator 7.0 from ESRI. It is very accurate and is remarkably detailed.

The only thing I noticed is the automatic routing feature is a bit whimsical as someone else here noted as well.
I'm not sure how often the updates are issued.
It also has a huge database of gas stations, hotels, temples, and assorted points of interest.

Davidfl · Posted: 01.07.2007, 19:35 Post subject:

Bush Pilot
So how was the rest of your trip up North?
Saw you one night with the GT Riders at the Kafe, & it was a pleasure meeting you, but did not hear from or see you again.....

Bush Pilot · Posted: 02.07.2007, 15:31 Post subject:

I had a good trip, I'll post a report. I enjoyed meeting the crew as well.