My 2nd ride to Indochina country in 2012. 28^th April – 11^th May 2012.

Hai, I'm back for more update on the recent ride after a busy weekend. Continuing the experience story.

Day 5 – Chiang Mai -> Doi Ithanon -> Chiang Mai

Today, it will be a short ride to Doi Ithanon about 100 km south of Chiang Mai, The Highest Peak of Thailand. This is my first ride here even though I have ride to Northern Thailand since 2008. It was a climbing road to the top but with good pave road it was an easy ride up. Once on the top, it was a bit chill even in dry season. So if u guys plan to go up there in cold season, be advise to wear a thick cloth then. It was hot in Chiang Mai but up here the temperature can be as low as 17 Celcius.Just after the National Park Entrance, there is a river where people can have a swim. However we do not stop there. Maybe next trip but for sure not during cold season.

Let the following picture tell the story of this ride.

From Chiang Mai to Doi Ithanon

After the park check point and climbing

At the National Park Office and climbing to the top

At the famous sign - Doi Ithanon

2569 from sea level

On the way down .... nice view ... nice weather

Local kids selleing flower & off we go back to Chiang Mai

My 2nd ride to Indochina country in 2012. 28^th April – 11^th May 2012.

Day 4 – Mae Sai -> Golden Triangle -> Chiang Khong -> Chiang Mai

After breakfast, the journey continues. The first destination was Golden Triangle. It was a short ride, about 35km from Mae Sai. I also realize that there is a second friendship bridge to Myanmar which has been in operation. I will check this out on other ride then. Along the way, the view is beautiful with green paddy field with the mountain as a background. Also, realise that the road has been upgrade to 4 lane highway toward Chiang Sean. It has change from the last ride here back in 2009.

The first place we stop in Chiang Sean was an Opium Hall. Here, we are being brief by the staff about the history of Golden Triangle and the Opium Trade. 

After an hour or so in Golden Triangle, we move on to Chiang Khong on route 1129. The road construction is in progress along this route and I believe that the expansion of the road will be reaching Chiang Khong soon. Road along route 1129 are not as good as in Chiang Sean especially in the mountain area. But, once on the top, the views are stunning, we can see the Mekong and Laos from this site.

The road decent also fabulous, it remind me to road to Mae Hong Son. We did stop at the view point in Huai Sai. From here, the Mekong river can be seen much more clear.

                                                                                  

At the end of route 1129, we turn right to route 1120 and have a coffee break at the Chiang Khong port. I did explain to the guys, across this Mekong river is Huay Xai town which the entry place to ride in Laos. Yup, this will be another ride for them.

From route 1120, we divert to rural road on route 1174 toward Chiang Rai. The route is much better view and we can even see village life around this route. Part of this route are under construction and it feel good to ride on this dusty flat road.

From Chiang Rai on Highway 1, heading south and take another diversion onto route 118 to Chiang Mai. The road is very good with some area with twisted curve. We did enjoy riding here.

We reach Chiang Mai around 8pm and after check in straight for a dinner. In Chiang Mai, it was not a problem to find halal place to eat. It was a few minute walk from the hotel. After dinner, as usual we have a walk into the night market.

My 2nd ride to Indochina country in 2012. 28^th April – 11^th May 2012.

Day 3 – Phitsanulok -> Mae Sai

It was a very good weather today. The sky is clear. We start our day with a simple breakfast just beside the hotel.

It is a hot day ride and the road toward Utradit then to Phree. The road is very good with less traffic and a wide highway. It became a boring ride on the highway.

Once we enter into Phree district the view change from a flat to mountain and the road change from straight to a beautiful curve with a new constructed highway. From Phree we turn left to Phayao on route 103. It was a pleasant ride all the way to Chiang Rai. 

We reach Mae Sai, the most north town in Thailand around 7pm. After check in, we try to find a place to have dinner but unfortunately all shop has close. So, just be reminded that most of halal shop was close about 8pm and we ended having a roti canai and ‘teh tarik’ at the stall in front the hotel.

My 2nd ride to Indochina country in 2012. 28^th April – 11^th May 2012.

Day 2 – Cha Am -> Phitsanulok

After a very good rest and enough sleep, it’s time to ride again. We check out around noon from Cha Am and the first thing to do is fuel up the tank and then have a brunch (breakfast & lunch). In the petrol station at the junction from Cha Am to Highway 4, there is a Muslim stall. So far it’s easy to find halal food along the way till today.

From here we move on toward Nakhon Pathom. The road condition is very good and straight road.  The traffic are medium since it already near to Bangkok. From Highway 4, we turn left to Nakhon Pathom on route 321 all the way to Suphan Buri where we stop to refuel and rest. It was a very hot.. hot day. The temperature are around 41 – 43 Celsius. At the Petrol station, we met group of biker from Lop Buri who on the way to Kanchanaburi. Even we are not speaking the same language, but once it come to bike & ride there is no hassle at all.

 From here we took route 340 to Chai Nat. It already in late evening once we cross the Chao Phraya river. It was a nice view during sunset with green paddy field as a background.

After Chai Nat, we enter to Highway 1 toward Nakhon Sawan. It already 8pm once we stop for 2^nd refuelling for today just few kilometres from the town. Here we meet another group of Malaysian bikers who on the way to Mae Hong Son but they use a train from South to Bangkok. It is great to meet another fellow rider from the same country. We make a move first since our route was difference. We continue the journey on Highway 1 to Nakhon Sawan and then took route 117 toward Pitsanulok.

Just after we cross the town, toward Pitchit, we can see a heavy lightning far away in front of us. Think that it will end by the time we reach those areas and it wrong. Strong wind can be feel and we can see from light of our bike. On the sudden, heavy rain start to down pour and on this route, there is no place to stop so we just continue the ride carefully. By this time the very strong wind start to blow from our left side with raining still pouring us. It was a critical moment. The bike has to lean to left in order to counter the strong wind. I can feel that the bike was shift to the right every time the strong cross wind blowing. At this moment, then I realise that we are riding in the middle of the tropical storm. I still can remember that at that time the speedometer shown only 20km/h and on the second gear. It took us about an hour for those few kilometres. After we pass the storm, half of the highway is being close due to falling tree due to the storm. We reach to our hotel around 10pm.

Today was a most adventures ride. In the day time we ride in very hot temperature and at night being hit by the storm. But we are still alive to tell the story.

My 2nd ride to Indochina country in 2012. 28^th April – 11^th May 2012.

It has been sometime I’m not updating this blog. Here is my 2^nd ride in Indochina country in 2012. I’ll update the 1^st ride later on. J

Distance - almost 6500km

Day 1 – Home – R&R Sg Buloh – Cha Am

Leaving home around 10pm 27^th April 2012, meet with 2 other riders at RV point.

After a short briefing and as agreed with other, we start the long way up to Cha Am, Thailand at 1:30am 28^th April 2012. The distances of riding were about 1,453km. For me, it’s normal to ride this far, but for the other riders this is new to them and it going to be a challenge to them.  Today it will be an iron butt ride.

We reach the border around 7am after sorting out our documentation and changing the currency. After the border, we have our breakfast and did rest for about 2 hour before we continue the ride at 9am.

Well, this route as usual, straight and some part of the road are bumpy and pot hole. It’s bored!!! Stop for lunch at Nakhon Sitamarat. This is my favourite pit stop for lunch. The stall is bit hide out from the main road view. The dishes are delicious & hot too but I like it….

Just after lunch, we have another stop for 1^st refuelling in Thailand. Here we bump up with a rider from Malaysia who is on the way to Cambodia. Sorry no pic, hehe..

Well. We have past Hat Yai, Pathalung, Nakhon Sitammarat, Surat Thani before have another stop for 2^nd refuelling at north of Surat Thani province. It’s very clear that the VERSYS are fuel economic for long range ride with the capacity of it tank for 19 litre. Since today are the longest distance, we need to stop around every 250km or about 2 hours of ride. This will prevent the rider from losing their focus and our body can have enough rest for the ride.

In Chumpon, we have our tea break at one rest area. It’s a big rest area where food stall are well organize and it has a special area for Muslim food. Here, we have a beef soup and ice tea just to fill our stomach before continues the journey. We have our 3^rd refuelling along the highway 41 in Prachuap Khir Khan.

It’s Saturday and the traffic are not that heavy, however we ride in a very caution way since we already on the bike for almost 18 hours. It’s getting dark once we leave Chumpon rest area. We reach Hua Hin district around 11pm, before we have our late dinner or consider dinner plus supper already just about 60km to Cha Am beach. After dinner we ride thru Hua Hin town toward Cha Am beach just around midnight. Arrgghhh….. all hotel, motel &  guest house are full tonight. But we are lucky, with help from the local people, we manage to fine a room which it was big enough for 3 of us.  No need to argue or what…. Most importance is to have a good rest/sleep after a very long ride. Conclusion for today, we have ride about 1,453km and it took us about 23 hours on the bike.