Bikes & MHS Loop

vtrman

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Sep 29, 2004
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Just a quick update to say 6 of us (+1) have just completed approx 1100 kilometres of riding around the Mae hong Son Loop. Around 50% of this was on some quite punishing dirts roads. (off the straighforward paved routes). 2 travelled in 4x4 to carry bags and act as support vehicle in case of serious accident.

Credit where it is due. We hired 6 Honda 250 Bajas from Joes Bikes (AKA Goodwill bike hire) and they were very well prepared and served us incredibly well. They are to be recommended. Found off Chiang Moi road (Soi 2?) near to Military Bank, with bike shop on corner where you can buy decent off-road full face helmets for 1000 Baht.

For what it's worth, the weather is relatively cool there now (end Nov / early Dec) with temperature in low 30s C. Basically dry, with just a bit of rain on the next to last day of our 9 days' riding.

The trails were mainly very dry, just occasional damp patches of slippy clay. As usual, there are some ruts to look out for, and these caused some of our group to eat dust.

The bikes were used did not have numbers plates but we experienced no problems whatsoever with this.

Against advice, 4 lads returned their hire bikes on Tuesday without wearing helmets. They were stopped by one of the many Police road blocks in CNX and fined. 200 Baht - for the group!

All in all a great trip. Will be back in late January to do it all again.

Is anyone interested in being a back-up driver to carry luggage in a hired 4x4 (from Mr Mechanic) for my next trip?

Bill