Ooops done it again. A David Unk crash.
- Thread starter DavidFL
- Start date
Woo-hoo back in business.
Full report to come.
Full report to come.
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272 days after my crash & almost losing my right leg I was ready to pick up the Vstrom & ride home to Chiang Khong, all being well.
I rode the trusty little Nmax down to Chiang Mai from Chiang Kong & went to check out the repaired Vstrom.
A test ride was in order & to confirm I was comfortable on the bike, with a plan to ride 25 kms up R118 & come back. My concern being riding stamina, having been away from the VStrom for 9 months & getting weary riding the 320 kms home to Chiang Khong in one hit. Should that be the case, I might need to overnight on the way somewhere, Chiang Rai, or Wiang Pa Pao even.
However once I got on the highway R118 I knew immediately it would not be an issue at all, I felt perfectly comfortable as if I had never been away from the bike. And so it was. I parked the bike up at Liam's for the night & rode the Nmax back into Chiang Mai city for a few bevvies to celebrate my return.
The next day homeward bound it was - straight through! Even I was a bit surprised.
Now the bike took a big hit & needed a new front end - forks stanchions, wheel, discs ++.
The frame however was straight & believe me Liam & Tim did a perfect rebuild & suspension set up.
I've never felt so comfortable riding a Vstrom. The bike rode like it was on rails, smooth, perfect comfortable suspension. It was just too easy to ride & still is!
Special thanks also go to Ohlins in BKk for the fantastic rear shock that works like a dream. I'd been having trouble getting my suspension set up properly with a few rear shock issues, but I believe we have finally nailed it, thanks to Tim & Liam's expertise, with the brilliant help of Ohlins Bkk. Paul Hugo let's do that Ohlin's factory tour "soon."
I rode the trusty little Nmax down to Chiang Mai from Chiang Kong & went to check out the repaired Vstrom.
A test ride was in order & to confirm I was comfortable on the bike, with a plan to ride 25 kms up R118 & come back. My concern being riding stamina, having been away from the VStrom for 9 months & getting weary riding the 320 kms home to Chiang Khong in one hit. Should that be the case, I might need to overnight on the way somewhere, Chiang Rai, or Wiang Pa Pao even.
However once I got on the highway R118 I knew immediately it would not be an issue at all, I felt perfectly comfortable as if I had never been away from the bike. And so it was. I parked the bike up at Liam's for the night & rode the Nmax back into Chiang Mai city for a few bevvies to celebrate my return.
The next day homeward bound it was - straight through! Even I was a bit surprised.
Now the bike took a big hit & needed a new front end - forks stanchions, wheel, discs ++.
The frame however was straight & believe me Liam & Tim did a perfect rebuild & suspension set up.
I've never felt so comfortable riding a Vstrom. The bike rode like it was on rails, smooth, perfect comfortable suspension. It was just too easy to ride & still is!
Special thanks also go to Ohlins in BKk for the fantastic rear shock that works like a dream. I'd been having trouble getting my suspension set up properly with a few rear shock issues, but I believe we have finally nailed it, thanks to Tim & Liam's expertise, with the brilliant help of Ohlins Bkk. Paul Hugo let's do that Ohlin's factory tour "soon."
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2 months and 11 days later and a bit of a scare - a sudden leg infection.
Oops.
What I believe was the culprit, but it is an interesting story that involves Jameson's drinking & an election .
On election eve my good riding & drinking buddy Armin arrives in Chiang Khong to hook up, after not meeting for a long time.
In fact, our last meeting was in May 2022 & this was the great trip we did.
www.gt-rider.com
Armin and I are old riding, touring & drink mates from the 80s in Thailand & in Laos starting from 2004.
Laos 2004
Phongsali
With the Akha Muang Sing - Xieng Kok
Hiring a boat & sailing the Khong
North Thailand
Riding R1340
Doi Pha Tang late early 90s.
And despite the election eve no alcohol ban, Armin & I were able to demolish a litre bottle of Jamesons between the two of us, not a great amount by our joint standards, but quite enough to see us both off happy & inebriated for the night. It was a successful, enjoyable night relieving the past, discussing the current status of our lives & the future for tourism in the region.
We both went our separate ways that night and checked with each other when we got to our respective places a bit wonky.
At my place I noticed a spider on the bed as I went crash out, but wiped the spider away beforehand.
During the night then I fell out of bed, onto my injured side, but it was a low speed fall & nothing hurt. So I thought.
The next morning Sunday, I felt normal, except for a very slight twinge of a distant flu (or virus) coming on. Nothing else.
Monday the oncoming flu was a bit more noticeable, but I still felt normal.
Tuesday oh yes I could feel a flu coming on, but again my leg still normal. I was in bed by 9am to rest though.
Wednesday morning, oh dear, I struggled to walk on my leg & yes there was an infection. WTH I thought.
Straight off to the Overbrook Hospital Medical Clinic in Chiang Khong. Yep a leg infection alright, so onto an IV for an hour & home with a course of antibiotics & orders to rest up.
Two days later the infection is spreading & I know it's time to get into a decent hospital.
Sriburin is the place & Dr Subin Wongtebian is the good doctor.
It doesn't matter if is was an insect bite or a scratch, you've got cellulitis, a bad leg infection.
He doesn't beat around the bush.
Lerfloxin is the heavy-duty gun to fight off the enemy.
It takes 2 nights & regular injections.
Surprisingly I like staying in Sriburin, the service, staff and even the food is excellent.
And you seldom hear praise for hospital food, but Sriburin delivers in spades.
www.gt-rider.com
You also pay for it
but how much do you value your leg?
I'm glad I've still got both mine in working order and am able to continue riding with the same passion.
Of note too, the GTR insurance fully covered the bill and not just 90% as I expected.
End of the week, I'm looking forward to checking out the venue for the 1148 / Chiang Kham GTR dinner.
www.gt-rider.com
Oops.
What I believe was the culprit, but it is an interesting story that involves Jameson's drinking & an election .
On election eve my good riding & drinking buddy Armin arrives in Chiang Khong to hook up, after not meeting for a long time.
In fact, our last meeting was in May 2022 & this was the great trip we did.
A short 3 night ride Chiang Khong - Phrae - Nan - Chiang Khong; catching up on old mates.
The way: Chiang Khong - Pong - Chiang Muan - Sa Iab (Sakthong) - Phrae. Phrae - Sa Iab (Sakthong). Phrae - Khun Satan - Na Noi - Wiang Sa - Nan. Nan - Chiang Muan - Pong - Chiang Khong. The quickest route to Phrae for me straight onto R1 from the Chiang Saen - Chiang Rai bypass, then a...
www.gt-rider.com
Armin and I are old riding, touring & drink mates from the 80s in Thailand & in Laos starting from 2004.
Laos 2004
Phongsali
With the Akha Muang Sing - Xieng Kok
Hiring a boat & sailing the Khong
North Thailand
Riding R1340
Doi Pha Tang late early 90s.
And despite the election eve no alcohol ban, Armin & I were able to demolish a litre bottle of Jamesons between the two of us, not a great amount by our joint standards, but quite enough to see us both off happy & inebriated for the night. It was a successful, enjoyable night relieving the past, discussing the current status of our lives & the future for tourism in the region.
We both went our separate ways that night and checked with each other when we got to our respective places a bit wonky.
At my place I noticed a spider on the bed as I went crash out, but wiped the spider away beforehand.
During the night then I fell out of bed, onto my injured side, but it was a low speed fall & nothing hurt. So I thought.
The next morning Sunday, I felt normal, except for a very slight twinge of a distant flu (or virus) coming on. Nothing else.
Monday the oncoming flu was a bit more noticeable, but I still felt normal.
Tuesday oh yes I could feel a flu coming on, but again my leg still normal. I was in bed by 9am to rest though.
Wednesday morning, oh dear, I struggled to walk on my leg & yes there was an infection. WTH I thought.
Straight off to the Overbrook Hospital Medical Clinic in Chiang Khong. Yep a leg infection alright, so onto an IV for an hour & home with a course of antibiotics & orders to rest up.
Two days later the infection is spreading & I know it's time to get into a decent hospital.
Sriburin is the place & Dr Subin Wongtebian is the good doctor.
It doesn't matter if is was an insect bite or a scratch, you've got cellulitis, a bad leg infection.
He doesn't beat around the bush.
Lerfloxin is the heavy-duty gun to fight off the enemy.
It takes 2 nights & regular injections.
Surprisingly I like staying in Sriburin, the service, staff and even the food is excellent.
And you seldom hear praise for hospital food, but Sriburin delivers in spades.
Chiang Rai Medical
After a daunting experience from my recent crash https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/threads/ooops-done-it-again-a-david-unk-crash.15939/ I can confirm I am completely satisfied with & can highly recommend 1. Kasemrad Sriburin Hospital. https://www.kasemrad.co.th/Sriburin/en/site/home...
www.gt-rider.com
You also pay for it
but how much do you value your leg?
I'm glad I've still got both mine in working order and am able to continue riding with the same passion.
Of note too, the GTR insurance fully covered the bill and not just 90% as I expected.
End of the week, I'm looking forward to checking out the venue for the 1148 / Chiang Kham GTR dinner.
GT Rider Up Country Dinner # 44 - 1148 / Chiang Kham.
The heat should be gone in a week, so why not celebrate with an 1148 ride & a GTR Dinner in Chiang Kham. The date: Wednesday 31st May. The master plan, meet up in Chiang Kham, eat & enjoy the night. Then the next day a leisurely morning met up, then ride 1148 together with our GTR 1148 shirts...
www.gt-rider.com