Moto Bistro Enduro Ride Northern Thailand - Obkan River – Death Valley – Wat Luang - Samoeng

Nov 25, 2013
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We left Moto Bistro around 9:30 am Christmas Eve. Pond wanted to check out the Wat Luang trail as the Thai’s call it. Northern Thailand maps shows it as Death Valley.


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Pond riding his new to him KLX150.


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Stop off for some supplies and a little hydrating.


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The trails was very dry and the trees still green


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It was a great day to be out riding.


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Obkan national park was very quite.


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Obkan River was flowing a little more than I expected but we were feeling optimistic.


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As soon I entered the water and realized how deep it was and thought oh shit the 150KLX is going to have a problem. I turned around and Pond was already submarining through. Lucky the deep section was narrow and the bike made it through the deepest portion before stalling just as he climbed out the other side. Thankfully, the bike fire back up and he was able to ride and push it out. The sand was super soft under the water making it difficult to get any traction. Love my new Olympus TG-5 camera, it powers up and ready to shoot amazingly quick.


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The rains this season had eroded the bank removing the trail leading up to the small park. Looked as though we might have been the first up the river this season.


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Pond decided to wrestle the thorny bushes. We both had a good laugh.


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The small park and road were both overgrown.


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The entries down into the river all washed away. We had to saber sawed some exposed roots that were blocking the path to drop back down into the river.


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My turn first…


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The water was not too deep but the bottom was extremely soft. Between my fat ass, the nearly bald tire and the soft sand I ended up having to pushing the bike through to the other side.


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Ponds turn...


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His bike stalled once again but started back up. It spit, sputtered and coughed but still made it through.


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Slick log took Pond out. Nice dramatic get off for the camera. We had another good laugh.


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To be continued...
 
Nov 25, 2013
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We bush wacked our way as far as we could reaching this point which was probably less than a kilometer from the first water crossing. Beautiful spot but not a promising place to cross the river. I walked the river and it was doable but not a great option because we would have to ride in the river for at least a KM to pick up the trail again.


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Plan B... We ended up going up through a rocky waterfall route and back down to the river were we could pick up the trail on the other side of the river. We felt like we were on one of

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We made it out to a well known stopping point but still had to cross the river. Pond chose a great line and made it right across. I on the other hand did not. Almost sunk the bike hitting a deep hole then turning back to the bank I started from. Pond coming to the rescue

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Funny, normally it only take 15min to get to this point but it must have taken us one hour and a half
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. From here we picked the trail back up and were on our way to Wat Luang...


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Headed up the Wat Luang trail... AKA Death Valley. Really fun trail when dry. Throw some water in the mix and your in for a real life adventure
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Ponds bike is geared way to high making it difficult to tractor up the steep rocky sections. Love that he never quits and always smiling.


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We made it to Wat Luang... Probably my favorite temple I've visited so far.


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To be continued...
 
Nov 25, 2013
95
43
18
We bush wacked our way as far as we could reaching this point which was probably less than a kilometer from the first water crossing. Beautiful spot but not a promising place to cross the river. I walked the river and it was doable but not a great option because we would have to ride in the river for at least a KM to pick up the trail again.


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Plan B... We ended up going up through a rocky waterfall route and back down to the river were we could pick up the trail on the other side of the river. We felt like we were on one of

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We made it out to a well known stopping point but still had to cross the river. Pond chose a great line and made it right across. I on the other hand did not. Almost sunk the bike hitting a deep hole then turning back to the bank I started from. Pond coming to the rescue

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Funny, normally it only take 15min to get to this point but it must have taken us one hour and a half
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. From here we picked the trail back up and were on our way to Wat Luang...


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Headed up the Wat Luang trail... AKA Death Valley. Really fun trail when dry. Throw some water in the mix and your in for a real life adventure
smile_2x.png



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Ponds bike is geared way to high making it difficult to tractor up the steep rocky sections. Love that he never quits and always smiling.


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We made it to Wat Luang... Probably my favorite temple I've visited so far.


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To be continued...
 
Nov 25, 2013
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Temple parking area was a great place to enjoy our lunch sticky rice and sardines.


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Pond stayed back while I took some pictures.

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The temple in the rear of the complex must be the newest. Made of teak and beautifully carved.

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Pond taking a power nap...
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Made it back to Moto Bistro just in time to enjoy a couple ice cold beers and open the bar. Great day out

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DavidFL

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Nice report and an outrageous trip.

That Wat in the middle of nowhere, is a great example of amazing Thailand. Such beauty & wealth spent there in such an isolated spot. The abbot must have some pull & keen supporters.

What's the score with Moto Bistro - can you please give us some photos & info.

Looking forward to your next adventure.

Many thanks for posting.
 
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Shane B

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Mar 8, 2019
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Cool report. Thanks for sharing.

I was out for a day's ride yesterday and on my way back to Chiang Mai I thought I would try to take that trail from the the sign with the stickers (near Wat Luang Khun Win) to Ob Khan. I got past the fallen tree and took a look at the state of the trail... I was on my own and, it also about 4pm and I was pretty knackered having been on the road all day. I decided to leave it for another day.

How long does it take to get from the sign with the stickers to Ob Khan (ranger station)?

Do you know any cool trails to get from Ob Khan back to the samoeng road (1269)?
 
Nov 25, 2013
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Thanks Shane

I think you probably made the right choice saving it for another day.

Time depends on how comfortable you are on rocks rutty single track and what bike your on. I've made it in about 25-30min but that was moving at a pretty good clip on a 300 2-stroke and I did end up going over the bars once :)

Pond and I seen a Honda Wave come down about four weeks ago riding up that trail... Pretty sure it took him a little more than 30 minutes :)

We know lots of trails in that area. I'll be back from work in about two weeks, welcome to come by Bar and we can talk trails. We do "Single track Sundays" your welcome to join.

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Shane B

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Subscribed
Mar 8, 2019
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Thanks Shane

I think you probably made the right choice saving it for another day.

Time depends on how comfortable you are on rocks rutty single track and what bike your on. I've made it in about 25-30min but that was moving at a pretty good clip on a 300 2-stroke and I did end up going over the bars once :)

Pond and I seen a Honda Wave come down about four weeks ago riding up that trail... Pretty sure it took him a little more than 30 minutes :)

We know lots of trails in that area. I'll be back from work in about two weeks, welcome to come by Bar and we can talk trails. We do "Single track Sundays" your welcome to join.

View attachment 129708


I just picked up a Honda CRF250L so I'm keen to get my money's worth out of it :) Single track Sunday sounds like fun. I'm definitely down for that. I'll message the facebook page of your bar so you have my details. You can let me know when you're back and I'll drop over. Cheers
 
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Moto-Rex

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Great report mate.
Looks like some nice river crossings out there.

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Cheers Moto-Rex