Just finished 10 days riding the GT with 5 others on 5 bikes (1 pillion couple). Ended up with 4 Honda 400's and 1 750 from Mr Mechanic. The mechanical condition of the bikes being the only sour note to a fabulous trip. Day 1 was arrival from Melbourne (Australia) and getting the bikes, day 2 was the Doi Suthep Temple (with 2,000 on pushbikes) and the Samoeng Loop. Day 3 was to Nan, day 4 was the Doi Phukha Loop, day 5 was up to Chiang Khong and the Loy Krathong festival on the Maekong. Day 6 was up to Chiang Saen and a boat across to Laos for some duty free and down to Mae Salong for the overnight. Day 7 down to Pai, day 8 elephant rides and over to Mae Hong Son. Day 9 Karen Hill tribe and down to Mae Chaem, last day to Doi Inthanon and back to Chiang Mai, drop the bikes off and the night sleeper train to Bangkok. 1910 kilometers of really fantastic riding (no scratches to any of us or the bikes) thanks to all the information gleaned from this site, David's book and your maps. I am sorry that we didn't have time to get to the Kafe and see some of you guys, but we just ran out of time. We have seen such a tiny snapshot of what the area has to offer and the next time will be refining it to give a little more time here and there. I totally understand why people visit and never leave.
