GT Rider Chiang Mai Christmas Ride 2008

**Davidfl** · 18th December 2008, 12:05 PM

Chiang Mai GT Rider Chrissy ride?

Anyone interested - who's up for one?

A DAY TRIP
1. Samoeng Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... ml#SAMOENG

2. Phrao Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... -CHIANGDAO

3. Wiang Pa Pao Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... WIANGPAPAO

4. Chai Prakarn Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... HAIPRAKARN

5. The Mae Ngat Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... ml#MAENGAT

6. The Sankhampaeng Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... NKAMPHAENG

7. Mae Chaem - Doi Inthanon Loop
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-o ... NTHANONMAE

END UP AT
1. The X-Centre
2. The Kafe

DATE
1. Wednesday 24th December
2. Thursday 25th December
3. Friday 26th December

Whaddya all reckon - thoughts & ideas, please?

**Franz** · 18th December 2008, 01:14 PM

Hi David (referred to as either: reverred of Git or "The Early Riser"), anything on Fri 26th and ending up at Ian's XXXL Center would be do-able for me.......and please no place where there's loudspeakers screaming: "Jinger Ben, Jinger Ben.......". Will arrive in CNX on Thu 25th late afternoon either on SRX4 or FJR........cheers, Franz

**KenYam** · 18th December 2008, 03:41 PM

Count me in Dave any day and a loop less than 200k's as it should be a social easy time of year. Ken Fab

**Captain_Slash** · 18th December 2008, 09:00 PM

Anytimes okay for me David

**PICO-PICO** · 18th December 2008, 09:13 PM

depending on which loop you want to take I might crawl long, if still in town

PICO

**SilverhawkUSA** · 19th December 2008, 09:18 AM

Sounds good to me. Should be able to do it any of the suggested dates. Anything but the Samoeng Loop PLEASE! My bike can do that one without me it knows it so well.

**Ally** · 19th December 2008, 09:26 AM

Suited & booted & ready to go!

**Hoghead** · 19th December 2008, 12:22 PM

Friday and anything but Sameong

**Davidfl** · 23rd December 2008, 10:46 AM

FRIDAY 26TH it is, and
The Chai Prakarn Loop 260 kms
http://www.gt-rider.com/touring-loops-d ... HAIPRAKARN

Meet at the Kafe 9.30 AM.
Ex Kafe 10.15 AM

Ride to Phrao on 1001
A short break at the PTT for a drink & fuel

Left at the PTT onto R1150
Right onto R1346, 35 kms to R107 & "Chai Prakarn"

Left onto R107 & head south towards Chiang Mai
Late lunch at the Chiang Dao hill resort
Regroup & a quick coffee break at the Krua Chiang Dao restaurant in Chiang Dao

Arrive X-Centre 4.15PM+ for a few happy hour drinks.

"Should work."

**KenYam** · 23rd December 2008, 11:05 AM

Seeya Friday for fun, adventure, amber fluid and Christmas cheer in that order and I presume the better half will be welcome ?

Happy & Safe Festive Season
Ken F

**Franz** · 23rd December 2008, 11:43 AM

David looking forward to this ride, hopefully on my ride up to CNX on Thursday nothing (pick-up, minibutt, C70, Aitaen, Cow, Buffalo, Dog, Drunk Local,.....) comes in the way of the flying FJR and its steering morron........... :P
Cheers, Franz

**Davidfl** · 23rd December 2008, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by KenYam

Seeya Friday for fun, adventure, amber fluid and Christmas cheer in that order and I presume the better half will be welcome ?

Happy & Safe Festive Season
Ken F

Ken
Yep no trouble for better halves to attend.

**Pikey** · 23rd December 2008, 05:12 PM

I'm always gonna miss this one due to my annual family Chrimbo visit to Blighty so I'd just like to wish all you guys and all readers/riders of the board a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a great, safe, fun ride whereever you may be!

Cheers,

Pikey.

**Snail** · 23rd December 2008, 06:29 PM

Yep I'll be there enjoying the last weeks/months of riding.

**KenYam** · 23rd December 2008, 07:00 PM

Hey Pikey I trust your enjoying yourself still. Mum's bonnie will miss the outing and cutting off other bikes at those sharp corners haha. Will have a brew or two for ya.

Enjoy Ken F

**chiangsaen.peter** · 24th December 2008, 02:41 PM

thanks David. I am looking forward joining the gang on the daytrip with my aftwin (ex robert's).
peter

**Mark Rossi** · 25th December 2008, 08:38 AM

Count me in, Ill will already be in Chiang Dao so will wait for you at the PTT in Phrao and join in.

**Davidfl** · 27th December 2008, 01:52 AM

THE DAY: Brrh! Cold 'n wet. Almost unbelievable, except it was for real & in late December! But what a thoroughly enjoyable day.

12 riders started on time from the Kafe.

Picked up Silverhawk & DTim out on R1001, then Norwegian Per & his son Teddy. Not a bad little group - 16 - considering the cold damp - wet conditions.

First stop was a Capt'n Slash stop: the 7-11 at the PTT in Phrao. Happy Feet joined in here too - up to 17.

It was a lengthy stop while we waited for the stragglers to catch up. (Someone almost ran out of fuel.)

The Snail got the 3rd Degree from some Bkk ladies on a camping holiday.

Time to regroup for a happy family 7-11 snap shot

Happy cold GT Riders

Because of the conditions it was suggested that we cut out R1346 & head straight over to Chiang Dao on R1150, but that got firmly voted down. I was impressed - no wimping out by anyone, despite the almost total lack of rain & warm gear.
So R1346 it was. R1346 does not appear on many maps, but it is a beautiful motorcycling road - tight, steep, swooping, flowing; 35 kms connecting Phrao with R107 just south of Chai Prakarn.

R1346 is steep at the south Phrao end

At the North R107 / Chai Prakarn end it is faster, swooping, flowing.

Check it out sometime for an alternative exhilarating connection to / from Fang via Phrao from Chiang Mai. You won't be disappointed. (The GT Rider Golden Triangle map has the road on it too.)

Regrouping on R107

Next stop was lunch at the Chiang Dao Hill Resort

Ex Chiang Dao Hill Resort, "saddling up"

Chiang Dao fuel stop

Arh. "Home & dry", back at the X-Centre for refreshments

Cold & wet it was, but miserable it wasn't. I had a great day. Thanks to all for coming.

**Franz** · 27th December 2008, 09:12 AM

Thanks David for organising !! It was again a pleasure to meet so many GT Riders for this one. Although the weather and the slippery road conditions were not in our favour, the pleasant company of all made all the other things forgettable. Cheers, Franz

**SilverhawkUSA** · 27th December 2008, 09:52 AM

My compliments to the riders for persevering through less than ideal conditions. A great mix of riders and bikes and some very slippery conditions.

My pillion snapped a few shots on the run. Note the different bikes and riding style.

(Marc (in red) finding it easier to ride on just one wheel).

Some great fun; right Ian?