Mae Wang Loop

[hansdeckers]

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Just did the Mae Wang Loop on my newly acquired Honda Magna. It is in excellent condition, bought at Siamsuperbike in Bangkok. recommended !
Going from Mae Wang to Mae Hae is quite ok. Sometimes potholes. However the stretch from Mae Hae to Bo Kaew is terrible. ABout 10 k. downhill, loose sand, holes. I could barely keep my Magna straight. In the rainy season very difficult to impossible. From Bo Kaew via Samoeng back to CNX is a very nice ride again. Total distance is about 150 k. Took me 3.5 hours.

Hans

[Davidfl]

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Hans
Sounds like you're having a good time still.
Yeah the Mae Wang loop is a bit alright, except for that 8kms tricky steep







slippery gravel section immediately west of the old tin mine at Bo Kaew.
I know a TDM rider who had a bit of trouble in there & declined making a report for the board. However, I note that you did not drop the Magna, so you really are going well on the dicey steep stuff - 1st Doi Pha Tang, then Doi Ang Khang, now the Bo Kaew tin mine.
And 3 1/2 hrs for the ride is pretty good time too, I bet you did not take too many photos?
Do you think that the Mae Wang Valley







is better than the Mae Sa Valley - better scenery, tighter narrower more steep roads? How do you rate and compare the two?
I'm in Luang Prabang right now, but will be in Cnx soon and will come to see when I get back.
Meanwhile, good riding & keep the reports coming in - we need all the contributors we can get.
I appreciate all that we get. Many thanks to those who ride and then take the time to contribute.

Davidfl
Keep the power on

[Davidfl]

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Thought it might be time to update this one. So just in from a brief recce on the Mae Wang Loop with Silverhawk - out for a Sunday arvo ride.
Met at the X-Centre at 12.50 PM, had a natter with the Ambassador & then hit the road by 1.15PM to be back in Cnx by 4.45Pm.



The short dirt bit is probably as good as it's ever been - bumpy, gravelly & a bit greasy in a couple places.

but a piece of cake on a 250 dirt bike.

However the asphalt / brick paving from Samoeng - Huai Mana - Bo Kaew, then from Mae Hae - Huai Tong - Mae Win sucks! There are too many big potholes, with lots of sand & gravel on the road. This combined with the narrow road width & vegetation coming right down & onto the road in many places do not make for a very enjoyable ride at the moment.

Sorry no photos of the potholed stuff.

Hopefully in a few more weeks they will clean it up & you will be able to enjoy the excellent scenery / villages / sunflowers en route.



There is however some superb asphalt at the Sanpathong end.


AND with the end of the rainy season / start of the cool season, the light is magical right now. In 2-3 more weeks it won't be as green & the rice will be harvested. So get out there, ride & take lots of photos asap!

For more info on the Mae Wang Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/motorcycle-t.../mae-wang-loop
For a map, get a copy of the Mae Hong Son Loop map
http://www.gt-rider.com/maps-of-thai...loop-guide-map

[Davidfl]

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Looking for somewhere to park some photos from today's ride surveying on the Mae Wang Loop for some poor schools suitable for a Chiang Mai Toy Ride Charity donation..........

But first BREAKFAST
Being a slower riser I suggested a 9.30Am rendezvous to Silverhawk & John Gooding at Black Canyon Kad Farang for a cappu. But alas BC does not open until 10.00AM.

A few hundred metres away was California Wraps?

at the entrance to the Mu Baan.

AND
we were in luck. Ally was getting her hair done...not that I dare get a snap.

But breakfast I did - it ended up more than a cappu stop & I was pleased.

Breakfast for JG

brekky for David Unk

Silverhawks:

and you could tell it was a bit early for this GT Rider!

California Wraps? you've got a good breakfast & hot cappu! Thanks.

On the road in search of a poor school / kindergarten
Mae Sapok & the wrong way....

JG ended up on the concrete & I on the greasy clay alongside.

A relieved JG delicately parked on the snot.


Silverhawk's DR650 getting the once over from a few locals


An quick look at the old AT


and the farang on the right - an old mate of mine, "Elephant Keeper"
Bodo Jens Förster
http://www.elephant-tours.de/eng/
who reminded me it is 10? years since we last met in Mae Wang.
(how time flies.)

On the road outside Mae Sapok kindergarten


The Mae Sapok kindergarten

under consideration for a Chiang Mai Toy Ride Donation

15 kms further on up the road

Huai E Khang kindergarten

and looks like they need help




Watch the Chiang Mai Toy Ride website
http://www.chiangmaitoyride.com/
for more news


Happy days watching the GT RIder's bike.

[Franz]

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Nice ride & fotos , would love to go there with you guys next Friday ........enjoy the ride & charity, cheers, Franz

[Ally]

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Looks like you guys had a relaxing ride after that serious breakfast.

Me too, just 5 hours, 3 very boring treatment processes, massages, lunch & all in the same chair !

Silverhawk... did you check out the geocache here yet?





Ally

[SilverhawkUSA]

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I reserve the right to pre-approve any future posting of morning pictures of my aging face! I thought you were just snapping the food!


Sorry Ally, I haven't been out geocaching.