Moto Paradise – Northern Thailand – Overnight Road Bike Trip - Chiang Mai, Pai And Lod Cave

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First ride on the Multistrada

We left Hand Dong Saturday around 2pm. First stop, Dart Motors for a quick oil change. It was nearly the same price to buy the oil, filter, and change myself, as it was to have Dart Ducati. Kevin the owner greeted us and I instantly hit it off with the fellow Californian. Great guy, he took the time to talk about my new to me bike and offer his knowledge of the northern Thailand tarmac twisty's. He did not care for the 1095 to Pai and tried to talk me out of the route. I know the traffic and crazy van drivers can be a pain. Driving in Los Angeles traffic for years, it's not too much of an issue for me. Besides, we go to Pai for the white pizza and passion fruit mojitos

Stopped to check over the bike to see that everything was in order. The Ducati has power for days and incredible torque. Cannot wait to take it out without out a passenger and luggage

Pulled into Pai around 6pm. Great ride, very light traffic and the road was in good shape. The bike is a beast...

First time I've seen these planes

Did the usual walking street stroll followed with pizza and beers. Then over to the Mojito joint. Stayed at the Yoma Resort great hotel with a nice pool

Great views from our patio as well

All packed up and ready to roll. Decided to go check out the Lod Cave.

As usual, I cannot resist exploring dirt roads, found a turn off and really wanted to see where it led.

Went to check and see if it was passable for us...

The little woman warning me not to try it...

Good thing I listened for once because the Big Red girl was just digging holes when I turned her around.

Back on the Tarmac wondering where that water crossing would have taken us.

To be continued

 

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Picture taken as we crested the mountains NW of Pai on the 1095.

Dropping down into Mae Hong Son province.

Bad day for this guy... Look like it happened maybe a day earlier. The vehicle was gone when we back tracked later that day.

This was a turn off a few km's in on the way into the Lod cave. Looks easy enough, but what you cannot see is a big dip halfway up. Discovered the big red fat girl bottoms out quite easily. Definitely not my KTM adventure...

Cool trail led us back into this beautiful spot. Wanted to go further but it was a large rock garden and did not want to risk damaging the bike, at least on the first trip

Wife not sure if we were going any future

Decided to piss on it and turn around. Next stop Lod Cave

To be continued...

 

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So we arrived to the Lod cave park about 10am. Must have only been 4 or 5 guides out on tours. Obviously I travel prepared

Following our guide into the park. She was damn near jogging.

Hearty tree growing straight out of a rock.

Slow Sunday I guess. Not a worry in the world for these guys

Temple just before the cave entrance.

Our guide lighting her lantern

Now I know what these strings are for... if the lantern goes out you just follow the string back out...

To be continued...

 

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The Lod Cave NP very well kept park, did not see any trash on the ground anywhere.

Security Guard post

Right at the mouth of the cave.

Very large well-fed carp

Couple monster catfish amongst the carp. Seen a couple catfish that were well over a meter long... If you look closely in the picture, you can see the head of large catfish.

Not sure but I think these birds are swallows.

Our tour guide running away again. Funny we just stood there to see how far she would go before looking back. She was nearly out of site before looking back and realizing we were not going to be rushed. After that she slow down and gave us a great tour

To be continued...

 

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Moto Mama and I are not usually interested in caves. Slippery bat crap floors and darkness are not high on our to do list. Lod Cave is however clean and didn’t smell at all.

Headed up to a large cavern shelf as we first entered the cave.

The shelf offered the most interest formation

The bamboo boat tour took us roughly 300 m to the backside of the cave. Completely dark for most of the voyage.

Nice breeze coming in and loads of swallows flying in and out.

 

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Good picture of the swallows

The bamboo barge captain maneuvering his boat for the return trip back the other direction

Looked like their was some hiking trails on the back side of the cave

The size and color of the stalactites were very impressive on this side of the cave. Especially after climbing up wooden stairs to a ledge. You could look down approximately 20m to the water.

Very large carp

Sketchy dam they built at the end of the cave. Could turn into a rapids ride. In the right upper corner are the stairs I mentioned previously

The little woman feeding the fish.

Back on board on our way out

 

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Picture taken as we exited the cave. The cave entrance has a nice cool breeze these guys were enjoying. Looks relaxing.

Looking to see if the water was deep enough to jump in

Tried to talk the little woman into taking a swim but she did not agree with me her panties and bra are the same as a bikini...

Their were several of these plastic bats hanging in the park. My wife thought they were real at first

Time to haul ass back to Chiang Mai... High light of the trip next...

 

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We road back to Pai fueled up at the PTT. Headed out on the 1095 and turned west on the 1265. The 1265 did not disappoint it was in perfect condition. So was the 1349 and 1269. Next time we ride to Pai on the road bike I will take this route both directions. The weather was absolutely perfect.

Taken up stream from the hot springs.

So the high light of the trip was this little guy. Have a great video but can not get it to load. Some kids get to have all the fun...

 

[DavidFL]

This is a great trip report - many thanks.

You really lucked out with the weather too by the looks of it.

That bike looks like you've got the perfect machine for your rides too.

Some of the stuff you saw & took photos of reminds me that I need to go back on the MHS loop yet again! It's hard to ever get tired of riding here - the roads, scenery & infrastructure is so good, and it is always improving.

The annual GTR MHS Memorial ride will be on the 1st weekend of November this year and you are welcome to come and join in.