DATE: Thursday 23rd August.
THE WEATHER: Fine and sunny all day longgggggggg.
THE RIDER & BIKE: Tropicaljohno on his Phantom 150.(Miss Pinky)
THE WAY: Phuket - Khao Lak - Takuapa & return same way.
THE REASON: Looks like the rains have finally stopped, about time I had got off the island for a ride. Also wanted to check out the boats that have been left high and dry after the tsunami, along the mainland's west coast.
ROUTES: 402 - 4 - 402
TOTAL DISTANCE: approx 220kms.
THE TRIP. After reading David Unk's report this morning, and his comment "Isn’t anyone else riding or writing up trip reports (shame on you all.)", I looked outside and the sun was shining and hardly a cloud in the sky, no excuse for not getting out on the road.
So a quick service for Miss Pinky, (check tyre pressures and 2 stroke oil level), it was then up in the loft to get my bike gear down, and was on my way by 9am. Unfortunately it takes about 45 minutes to get off the island of Phuket, (I live in the southern part of the island), but traffic not too heavy, and with the sun shining it was quite enjoyable.
Once off the island you join Route 4 which is the main route to Bangkok. Most traffic turns right here, to go north to Bangkok or south to Malaysia, but I take the left hand Route 4 which follows the west coast all the way up to Chumpon.
This is a very scenic ride, quite a few corners around Khao Lak and some beut views of the ocean. Khao Lak was one of the worst hit places when the tsunami hit, and this is where the boats are parked that I want to see. My previous trip up to Ranong on the GS, riding at quite a brisk pace, I saw the police patrol boat high and dry. Today riding the Phantom at a much slower pace, looking for the same boat, I missed it, and ended up at Takuapa, where I knew I had gone too far, so stopped for morning coffee, (actually a Mars bar and a strawberry milk). Then on the way back the patrol boat was easier to see.
This boat is parked 2kms from the nearest water.
This is near the boat looking the other way, towards the sea - somewhere
So now its off to find the other boats, as mentioned the Police patrol boat is beside the main highway, so easy (more or less), to see when riding along, the other 2 boats are in the village of Thai Muang. Now you would think it would be easy to find a house with a rather large fishing boat in their back yard, but took a while before I found it.
Some people have a water fountain as a feature in their back yard, this poor guy has a fishing boat
This is standing at fishing boat looking towards the sea, which I think is about 800m away.
Then just around the corner is another fishing boat, neatly parked at the side of the road.
On the ride back to Phuket, whilst still on Route 4 I came across this sign, apparantly consulting with the G.F. the words above the left hand sign says 'old road', but if this was your first time along this road, would be a bit confusing.
Now which way - eeny meany miney mo
Back home again
Whilst only a short ride, I was able to get back home before the rush hour, and with no rain at all, made it an enjoyable ride, especially as I have a Heinz Gerrick airflow jacket which is great at keeping you cool whilst riding,, but as it consists of 2 layers of material full of holes, the first bit of rain and goes right through you.
ps. Pikey no trouble with my balls at all, they all stayed nice and firm with no play at all.
THE WEATHER: Fine and sunny all day longgggggggg.
THE RIDER & BIKE: Tropicaljohno on his Phantom 150.(Miss Pinky)
THE WAY: Phuket - Khao Lak - Takuapa & return same way.
THE REASON: Looks like the rains have finally stopped, about time I had got off the island for a ride. Also wanted to check out the boats that have been left high and dry after the tsunami, along the mainland's west coast.
ROUTES: 402 - 4 - 402
TOTAL DISTANCE: approx 220kms.
THE TRIP. After reading David Unk's report this morning, and his comment "Isn’t anyone else riding or writing up trip reports (shame on you all.)", I looked outside and the sun was shining and hardly a cloud in the sky, no excuse for not getting out on the road.
So a quick service for Miss Pinky, (check tyre pressures and 2 stroke oil level), it was then up in the loft to get my bike gear down, and was on my way by 9am. Unfortunately it takes about 45 minutes to get off the island of Phuket, (I live in the southern part of the island), but traffic not too heavy, and with the sun shining it was quite enjoyable.
Once off the island you join Route 4 which is the main route to Bangkok. Most traffic turns right here, to go north to Bangkok or south to Malaysia, but I take the left hand Route 4 which follows the west coast all the way up to Chumpon.
This is a very scenic ride, quite a few corners around Khao Lak and some beut views of the ocean. Khao Lak was one of the worst hit places when the tsunami hit, and this is where the boats are parked that I want to see. My previous trip up to Ranong on the GS, riding at quite a brisk pace, I saw the police patrol boat high and dry. Today riding the Phantom at a much slower pace, looking for the same boat, I missed it, and ended up at Takuapa, where I knew I had gone too far, so stopped for morning coffee, (actually a Mars bar and a strawberry milk). Then on the way back the patrol boat was easier to see.
This boat is parked 2kms from the nearest water.
This is near the boat looking the other way, towards the sea - somewhere
So now its off to find the other boats, as mentioned the Police patrol boat is beside the main highway, so easy (more or less), to see when riding along, the other 2 boats are in the village of Thai Muang. Now you would think it would be easy to find a house with a rather large fishing boat in their back yard, but took a while before I found it.
Some people have a water fountain as a feature in their back yard, this poor guy has a fishing boat
This is standing at fishing boat looking towards the sea, which I think is about 800m away.
Then just around the corner is another fishing boat, neatly parked at the side of the road.
On the ride back to Phuket, whilst still on Route 4 I came across this sign, apparantly consulting with the G.F. the words above the left hand sign says 'old road', but if this was your first time along this road, would be a bit confusing.
Now which way - eeny meany miney mo
Back home again
Whilst only a short ride, I was able to get back home before the rush hour, and with no rain at all, made it an enjoyable ride, especially as I have a Heinz Gerrick airflow jacket which is great at keeping you cool whilst riding,, but as it consists of 2 layers of material full of holes, the first bit of rain and goes right through you.
ps. Pikey no trouble with my balls at all, they all stayed nice and firm with no play at all.