Recently, I joined the GT-Riders on a trip to Chiang Khong, down the river to Luang Prabang and then on to Vientiene.
I was self-conscious. Why? Because I knew that each rider had put up good money for the trip, and at my speed it must have been boring, for there was always a rider behind me. In the beginning it was Dr. G, and at first I thought he had his eye on me, but then I realized he was there for safety reasons. After he peeled off to go back to Chiang Mai, it was RobertH´s turn to motorsit. And then BarryBBQ. And the same pattern continued until I turned the bike over to the Green Discovery Travel Agency.
As a travel writer, I am usually the least experienced person in the group. No matter what the activity is, there is always someone bigger and better. (note BarryBBQ a.k.a King Dong)
What stands out in my mind on this particular trip. Apart from BarryBBQ crashing glass doors; upsetting Laos weddding parties; Dr. G giving me gender indentity tips for a no regrets trip to Soi Cowboy, RobertH smooth talking Laos girls and not having to pay for pleasure and Davidfl buying my farewell drinks in Vientiene and letting me borrow 200 baht to get across the border was how helpful all the above mentioned were during the trip. I would hate to use the word `caring´, because that would definately damage their biker egos.
Here are a few of the reasons I came away so impressed with the GT-Rider group. And no, it wasn´t because I saw BarryBBQ in the shower, or RobertH manhandling his bike in the sand and out of the Mekong boat handling or read Dr. G´s Sexpedition book. It was something far more basic. Man helping another man out.
You see, I did not have a motorcycle jacket, so RobertH came to the rescue. Although he regretted it when I gave it back and he had to carry it back to Thailand. No gloves, Dr.G provided a pair that had not been used for any perverse activities...yet. And, as I had no clue of how to strap my kit to the bike without it falling off at the first bend in the road, each of the crew came to my rescue every morning.
During the trip, I realized three things. The importance of safety. The importance of asking for help. And the value of good quality men who put the group ahead of the individual.
Having said all of that, I would like to ask for help. For I am writing a story for the Bkk Post, not only on this trip but on the joys´of riding in Thailand in general.
So if any of you out there have anything to contribute to the story or would like to see mentioned that the Solo Rider has not already published, please let me know. For after this trip, I have learned the importance of asking for help.
all the best,
Robert
Robert Davis
Travel Writer
I was self-conscious. Why? Because I knew that each rider had put up good money for the trip, and at my speed it must have been boring, for there was always a rider behind me. In the beginning it was Dr. G, and at first I thought he had his eye on me, but then I realized he was there for safety reasons. After he peeled off to go back to Chiang Mai, it was RobertH´s turn to motorsit. And then BarryBBQ. And the same pattern continued until I turned the bike over to the Green Discovery Travel Agency.
As a travel writer, I am usually the least experienced person in the group. No matter what the activity is, there is always someone bigger and better. (note BarryBBQ a.k.a King Dong)
What stands out in my mind on this particular trip. Apart from BarryBBQ crashing glass doors; upsetting Laos weddding parties; Dr. G giving me gender indentity tips for a no regrets trip to Soi Cowboy, RobertH smooth talking Laos girls and not having to pay for pleasure and Davidfl buying my farewell drinks in Vientiene and letting me borrow 200 baht to get across the border was how helpful all the above mentioned were during the trip. I would hate to use the word `caring´, because that would definately damage their biker egos.
Here are a few of the reasons I came away so impressed with the GT-Rider group. And no, it wasn´t because I saw BarryBBQ in the shower, or RobertH manhandling his bike in the sand and out of the Mekong boat handling or read Dr. G´s Sexpedition book. It was something far more basic. Man helping another man out.
You see, I did not have a motorcycle jacket, so RobertH came to the rescue. Although he regretted it when I gave it back and he had to carry it back to Thailand. No gloves, Dr.G provided a pair that had not been used for any perverse activities...yet. And, as I had no clue of how to strap my kit to the bike without it falling off at the first bend in the road, each of the crew came to my rescue every morning.
During the trip, I realized three things. The importance of safety. The importance of asking for help. And the value of good quality men who put the group ahead of the individual.
Having said all of that, I would like to ask for help. For I am writing a story for the Bkk Post, not only on this trip but on the joys´of riding in Thailand in general.
So if any of you out there have anything to contribute to the story or would like to see mentioned that the Solo Rider has not already published, please let me know. For after this trip, I have learned the importance of asking for help.
all the best,
Robert
Robert Davis
Travel Writer