(Delilah gets a lot of hits doesn't she?)
This post is getting good.
Its been awhile since I did a grand tour of Esarn, but the night life memories are all good (although I cant recall any gender benders), with the riding just so, so......
Anyway, from what I've done the last year (which is only Cnx - Loei - Nong Khai, my tips from Chiang Mai are
1. LOEI: Kings Hotel. A steal @ 370 baht a night, off-season. Muang Loei Pub for good food, atmosphere & music.
2. BEST ROADS: N-E Thailand is generally flat / straight undulating, with just a few good hilly / steep & winding roads. The ones that stick in the mind are
a. Routes 1246 - 1143 are good. (Uttaradit - Chat Trakarn - Nakhon Thai)
b. Route 211, from Chiang Khan to Tha Bo, basically along the Mekong.
c. Route 213, thru the Phu Phan Nat Park is also ok, but the really good twisty bit is less than 30 kms! Wonderful memories of this road, years ago.
d. LOEI PROVINCE is just about all good for sport bike riding, fast flowing, hilly / steep; but if your one on 250 it will be flat stick all the way. On a 250 the good ones to have fun on are, route 2013 from Nakhon Thai - Dan Sai, route 2331 from Nakhon Thai - Lom Kao thru Phu Hin Rongkla Nat park is arguably the most amazing road I have been on in Thailand, route 12 from Phitsanulok - Khon Kaen is an unreal FAST flowing ride on a bike (bigger than a 250), route 2216 thru Nam Nao Nat park is also a good ride, route 2016 aint too bad; then any of the Khao Khor roads west of Phetchabun, routes 2258, 2302, 2325 are also very good, steep & winding, but short.
e. From Nan / Na Noi south, any of the roads along the border are fun on a small bike. However I am still unsure if they are all asphalt. There might be a bit of easy dirt there somewhere on 1083 / 1123 / 1268 still.(Perhaps I should get over there & check em out again. BobS - whaddya you know? You were over there last year?)
f. Route 2113 Dan Sai - Na Haew is a very good ride, as is route 1268 along the border (to the route 1237 & 123349 turn offs) & especially on a 250 - it is narrow, tight steep & winding!
Last but not least I could handle another night in Dan Sai (of all places)with the right group of girls & guys.
Davidfl
Keep the power on