Ride the best roads for 14 days.

[Gregthemagnificent]

A big Buddha a day keeps the Eternal Lake of Fire away

We have arrived in Chiang Mai almost ready to ride.

There are five of us on this time. Three from Perth, Myself, Terry, Con. With Alan and my brother Ian from NSW.

Staying at the i-river chiangmai, 450 metres from C & P Big Bike Rentals.

The plan is to ride on all the best roads for 14 days. We will be on Honda’s, GBX 500 2022. I like these bikes as they are nimble in the corners, reasonably comfortable, and great on fuel.

Each day we will do about 220km, hitting the rev limiter every now and then.

 

[DavidFL]

Don't forget to look me up in Chiang Khong.

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

After picking up the bikes, headed out of town to the 1013, and checked out the reclining Buddha at Wat Phra That Doi Kham. Next stop was Wachirathan Waterfall. This must be the second best waterfall I’ve ever seen.

Then 4016 through the Doi Inthanon National Park, but not up the mountain.

Had lunch at the Sompon Restaurant, Mae Chaem, then to a view point 6 km up a rough cement road

Head for our accommodation for the night at the Hot Coffee Guest House and Resort, Mae Chaem. Freshly brewed locally roasted Karen arabica beans for breakfast


Breakfast at the i-river chiangmai

Honda CBX500's from C & P Big Bikes

 

[Wayne66]

Enjoy the ride, hope the CB500x goes well for you, I enjoy mine both on and off road

Wayne

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

After the Bua Tong flowers, made our way down the steep cement bends to the 1095.

We had a look around Wat Phra That Doi Kongmu, admired the view of Mae Hong Son, and took a photo of the big buddha near the GTR Chedi.

Stopped at Su Tong Pae bamboo bridge, had an exciting ride to Ban Rak Thai.

Our accommodation is Mong Homestay Resort, a rural location just out of Ban Rak Thai on the 4001.

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Departed Ban Rak ThaiBack to the 1095, stopped at a Ban Jabo for coffee, and then through Pai.

After some more windy road, we turned off to Huai Nam Dang National Park, paying the entry fee of 300THB each, dang.

We headed for Chiang Dao, stopped for a coffee at the Hugmueangkhong Café, on the banks of the Mae Chong River.

We climbed out of the valley on the 3024 over Doi Lhung Chiang Dao, the third highest mountain in Thailand.

Our accommodation in Chiang Dao is Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows, a top spot for ornithologists

 

[DavidFL]

Departed Ban Rak ThaiBack to the 1095, stopped at a Ban Jabo for coffee, and then through Pai.

After some more windy road, we turned off to Huai Nam Dang National Park, paying the entry fee of 300THB each, dang.

We headed for Chiang Dao, stopped for a coffee at the Hugmueangkhong Café, on the banks of the Mae Chong River.

We climbed out of the valley on the 3024 over Doi Lhung Chiang Dao, the third highest mountain in Thailand.

Our accommodation in Chiang Dao is Malee's Nature Lovers Bungalows, a top spot for ornithologists

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Excellent. How did you find the dirt section from huay nam dangerous to muang khong?

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Excellent. How did you find the dirt section from huay nam dangerous to muang khong?

Yes the dirt section was dangerous. Steep down hill slippery concrete road rutted track. Keeping the bike slow was hard work. It would be easier going back towards Huay Nam, all up hill climbs

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

We departed Chiang Dao, took the 1050 then the1346 until it finished at the 107.

Then found our way up some concrete roads to General Lee's residence on the 1340.

We headed north following the Myanmar border until No Lae, where we checked out the view and military outpost.

After heading back to Doi Ang Khlang, enjoyed the steep downhill kaos of the 1249.

One down the mountain and back in control, arrived in the town named after Maxwell Smart’s dog, Fang (Agent K-13).

We stopped to look at part of the old city wall, which has been there for over 600 years.

Would you believe our accommodation is the Huen San Fang hotel located in the rice fields on the north side of town.

 

[DavidFL]

Yuk

A Spincter tester on a road bike.

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Depart our hotel through the rice field to the 109. After 100 km of a pleasant road, had coffee and cake at Phu Nam Suay Cafe overlooking the Mae Suai Dam.

Then made our way to Doi Chiang lookout.

We stopped at the Taksin King Monument to view the big Buddhas.

Took the 1130 to Mae Salong and visited Phrathat Chedi.

Our accommodation, Phumektawan Resort, a good place to try Oolong tea.

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Departing Mae Salong, we turned off the 1130 onto a small cement road, down to the 1089 for a few km, and back up the mountain on a nice windy road, ending up at Khun Sa Old Camp.

Just after leaving Thoet Thai, took a rough 10 km road to the 1378, then to the 1334 Pha Bur and those steep tight switchbacks.

We followed the Myanmar border to Mai Sai, then headed to the Golden Triangle via Doi Sa Ngo.

Visited the Chiang Saen historic sites, including the reclining Buddah at Wat Phra Non.

Our accommodation for the night is Viang Yonok Hotel, well known by classic Triumph enthusiasts.

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Depart Viang Yonok’s peaceful picturesque hotel for Chiang Khong. Blasted down Paradise road stopping for a coffee with David Unkovich.

1174 to the big dipper 4018, 1155 to Singapore road, follow the ridgeline on the 1093.

Accommodation is Ukrist Farm Hill Resort, a place with a view

 

[DavidFL]

Ah yes, a Singapore road twisty corner..

What an exciting litle road that is!

 

[ianyonok]

Hi Greg, Great report and superb photos.
It was good to see you guys again this year.
Enjoy the ride,
Ian
Viang Yonok

 

[DavidFL]

Hi Greg, Great report and superb photos.
It was good to see you guys again this year.
Enjoy the ride,
Ian
Viang Yonok

Yeah a super contribution. Much appreciated Greg. Keep up the god work.

 

[Laurens]

Hi all,

Leaving tonight from Amsterdam to BKK.
We're starting our fourth tour through northern Thailand next week and our second through the Golden Triangle.
Now I read about the 4018 Big Dipper
Is that worth a detour?
We planned to ride the 1093 from Chiang Kham towards Chiang Khong.
And is Singapore road worth the ride?
All suggestions are welcome.

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Depart hotel to the south on the Phu Chi Fah road 1093 to the 1155 towards Chiang Kham

Detoured to Phu Anma and checked out the view.

Took the 1345 to the 1148, stopping at Route 1148 Café.

Turned off the 1148 onto the 1097 and stopped for the night at the Sangthong Resort, Enjoy delicious food from Sangthong Farm

 

[Wayne66]

Good read, thanks for taking us along
How are the 500x’s holding up?

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

Hi all,

Leaving tonight from Amsterdam to BKK.
We're starting our fourth tour through northern Thailand next week and our second through the Golden Triangle.
Now I read about the 4018 Big Dipper
Is that worth a detour?
We planned to ride the 1093 from Chiang Kham towards Chiang Khong.
And is Singapore road worth the ride?
All suggestions are welcome.

If you are my way on then stop for a brew and a natter, enjoy the trip

Wayne

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Good read, thanks for taking us along
How are the 500x’s holding up?

Wayne

The 500CBX are great for these conditions. Handle the tight corners well and easy to ride. They do surprisingly well in adventurous conditions on dirt roads. They lack power in some up hill corners, so high revs are needed. 35kw and 200kg compared to my dirt bike at home with 38kw and 110kg

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

First riding of the day consisted of “4001, a short loop in Pua” https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/posts/104332/bookmark

After a coffee in Pua, over Doi Phu Kha On the 1265 and salt mines

Then the magnificent 11081 to Nan
Lucky for us the weekend night market was happening in Nan, with a great selection of food, and mildly interesting things for sale.

Our accommodation is Khum Mueang Min Boutique Hotel, with the provincial prison wall across the road.

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[Wayne66]

The 500CBX are great for these conditions. Handle the tight corners well and easy to ride. They do surprisingly well in adventurous conditions on dirt roads. They lack power in some up hill corners, so high revs are needed. 35kw and 200kg compared to my dirt bike at home with 38kw and 110kg

Glad you’re enjoying the bike
yeah I hear what you are saying about power, I had a CRF250x (enduro model) when I lived in the uk, it was a bit of a beast on the track, well it was for me anyway lol

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

Left Nan to the west, and then south on the Yap Hua Na road and found our way towards Na Noi and the 1216

The 1216 is a nice windy road with spectacular views around the Khun Sathan National Park.

Took the 1024 towards Phrae, stopped at Wat Na Khu Ha, a spectacular big Buddha in the fields.

Our accommodation is the Phoomthai Garden Hotel, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Phrae city

 

[Gregthemagnificent]

1022 is a lovely winding road for about 15km, narrows and becomes the 4001 and turns to new cement. There is only 10km of dirt road.

Once down to the lake the road becomes the1263 and the landscape opens up into farming land.

We took the 1339 to the Na Muen car ferry and crossed the dam to Paknai's Fisherman Village.

The 40km on the 1026 to Na Noi.

Our accommodation for the night is the Huen Fai Mae-Jampee, Na Noi.