A failed masterplan to conquer Nan & Phrae in the heat.
Day 1 Chiang Khong - Chiang Rai - Phayao - Ngao - Phrae
355 kms.
Depart Chiang Khong @ 1.45PM in the heat of the day.
Arrive Phrae @ 8.15PM.
A bit of leisurely ride down, with a quick stop in Chiang Rai first @ Ban Chang for an oil & filter change on the Vstrom.
5,500 kms since the last change & I thought maybe it's a good idea for some fresh oil for this ride in the heat.
15-50 Motul fully synthetic is my current favourite, although I'd rather be using Shell Ultra 15-50 fully synthetic, but that involves running around in Chiang Rai city to find some in the heat, so I wimp out & use Motul. It also pleases Ban Chang more because he is making a sale. He did however ask why no Shell this time, as I much prefer that. It just feels better in the bike to me!
Its damn hot on the highway but keeping a good pace up it's only a 2 hrs riding time Chiang Rai - Ngao for 146 kms.
The traffic lights around Phan & Phayao are a curse in the heat & really slow you down.
Sadly, in Phan I wimp out for a lengthy PTT Amazon stop in the aircon = 30 minutes.
Its 5pm when I set off on the road again, just in time for all the Phayao red lights on the super.
Arrival time in Ngao city is a pleasant 6.30PM
40 minutes In Ngao city were enough to check out some venues for a GTR dinner.
www.gt-rider.com
A thorough google maps search had turned up a few places, but you never quite know how real they are unless you check em out yourself.
And I did, and I'm comfortable with what we have.
The hotel.
A bar beer for happy hour
And a pub 'n restaurant with live music.
The Apirom Pub is located on the Ngao River, next to the town's famous bridge.
It's a cool little spot & you can't miss it by the bridge.
@ 7Pm it was time to hit R103 in the dark & test out the new spotlight set up on the Vstrom.
R103 is a dead straight 4-lane dual carriageway for 21 kms & then there's a fantastic twisting 10kms road through the mountains to cross over into Song district of Phrae province.
Phrae arrival time was 8pm & I was feeling a bit weary, so looking forward to checking into my fave hotel, the Viva Resort & crashing out in the cool aircon for a bit. Except it was full. Strange I thought. But never mind, plenty of choice in Phrae city. # 2 choice close by was the Rittiboon Vintage. And it was full too!! Grrh WTH I thought. This could make you irritable when you're hot & weary & hungry & thirsty. Fortunately, # 3 choice the Amornrak was a winner, especially at 550 baht.
10.15PM rested & refreshed it was time to hit the fabulous Beach Bar in Phrae city.
The first time you go to the Beach Bar it always is a bit stunning, especially if you are unaware of the pool set up.
The atmosphere around the pool is always fabulous, the locals are friendly & the live music rocks, if you like a bit of noise.
I can also recommend the food - the Somtam. The best I have ever had, & I'm not normally a somtam diner, but....the Beach's somtam really did hit the spot!
The service too is always attentive.
After a hot ride in the heat of the day, the Beach Bar was a just reward for my efforts.
I left at closing, well pleased and satiated.
To be continued.
Day 2 Phrae - Wiang Sa - Nan
Day 3 Nan - Santisuk - Mae Charim - Nam Muap - Wiang Sai - Phrae
Day 4 Phrae - Song - Sa Iab - Chiang Kham - Chiang Khong.
Day 1 Chiang Khong - Chiang Rai - Phayao - Ngao - Phrae
355 kms.
Depart Chiang Khong @ 1.45PM in the heat of the day.
Arrive Phrae @ 8.15PM.
A bit of leisurely ride down, with a quick stop in Chiang Rai first @ Ban Chang for an oil & filter change on the Vstrom.
5,500 kms since the last change & I thought maybe it's a good idea for some fresh oil for this ride in the heat.
15-50 Motul fully synthetic is my current favourite, although I'd rather be using Shell Ultra 15-50 fully synthetic, but that involves running around in Chiang Rai city to find some in the heat, so I wimp out & use Motul. It also pleases Ban Chang more because he is making a sale. He did however ask why no Shell this time, as I much prefer that. It just feels better in the bike to me!
Its damn hot on the highway but keeping a good pace up it's only a 2 hrs riding time Chiang Rai - Ngao for 146 kms.
The traffic lights around Phan & Phayao are a curse in the heat & really slow you down.
Sadly, in Phan I wimp out for a lengthy PTT Amazon stop in the aircon = 30 minutes.
Its 5pm when I set off on the road again, just in time for all the Phayao red lights on the super.
Arrival time in Ngao city is a pleasant 6.30PM
40 minutes In Ngao city were enough to check out some venues for a GTR dinner.
GT Rider Up Country Dinner # 45- Ngao
GT Rider Up Country Dinner # 45- Ngao - Saturday 18 May A new non-last Wednesday of the month date. Changed from March to May 2024. Trying to get these going again, if there's positive feedback & attendance. I've been too busy of late with several projects going that I've been unable to...
www.gt-rider.com
A thorough google maps search had turned up a few places, but you never quite know how real they are unless you check em out yourself.
And I did, and I'm comfortable with what we have.
The hotel.
A bar beer for happy hour
And a pub 'n restaurant with live music.
The Apirom Pub is located on the Ngao River, next to the town's famous bridge.
It's a cool little spot & you can't miss it by the bridge.
@ 7Pm it was time to hit R103 in the dark & test out the new spotlight set up on the Vstrom.
R103 is a dead straight 4-lane dual carriageway for 21 kms & then there's a fantastic twisting 10kms road through the mountains to cross over into Song district of Phrae province.
Phrae arrival time was 8pm & I was feeling a bit weary, so looking forward to checking into my fave hotel, the Viva Resort & crashing out in the cool aircon for a bit. Except it was full. Strange I thought. But never mind, plenty of choice in Phrae city. # 2 choice close by was the Rittiboon Vintage. And it was full too!! Grrh WTH I thought. This could make you irritable when you're hot & weary & hungry & thirsty. Fortunately, # 3 choice the Amornrak was a winner, especially at 550 baht.
10.15PM rested & refreshed it was time to hit the fabulous Beach Bar in Phrae city.
The first time you go to the Beach Bar it always is a bit stunning, especially if you are unaware of the pool set up.
The atmosphere around the pool is always fabulous, the locals are friendly & the live music rocks, if you like a bit of noise.
I can also recommend the food - the Somtam. The best I have ever had, & I'm not normally a somtam diner, but....the Beach's somtam really did hit the spot!
The service too is always attentive.
After a hot ride in the heat of the day, the Beach Bar was a just reward for my efforts.
I left at closing, well pleased and satiated.
To be continued.
Day 2 Phrae - Wiang Sa - Nan
Day 3 Nan - Santisuk - Mae Charim - Nam Muap - Wiang Sai - Phrae
Day 4 Phrae - Song - Sa Iab - Chiang Kham - Chiang Khong.
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