Nan-New Dirt Tracks-An Akha Village

**Captain_Slash** · 27 Dec 2011, 20:43

The route 1080, 2026, 4017, 1291

Total distance 245 km

Walking around Nan yesterday I spotted this craftsman at work

The precision tools

The finished product

I take the 1080 north out of town then a short hop along the 2026

At Thung Chang I take a right and explore a dirt track starting at N19.23.305 E100.53.499 that I have never rode before

Its is quite steep in places but not too difficult going

I dont know what these are but the ants seem to love them

The bamboo was to knock some fruit out of the trees

I come to this gate and ride through closing it behind me

No sign of any cattle or anything

Then its the other set of gates

I am out in the open now and can see a village in the distance, all of todays dirt tracks were double tracks suitable for pick ups as well as bikes

After 11.6 km I reach the paved surface at N19.23.729 E100.58.236 and turn right, the paved surface finishes at N19.23.679 E100.58.111 and here theres a few homes

I ride back staying on the paved surface and theres a couple of Akha villages around here

While I am used to seeing the women dressed in their costumes I dont usually see the men wearing it

Riding around the villages I explore all the paved tracks

Theres something going on at the village green and this girl is kept busy on the ice chopping machine

I get onto the 4017

Its not too warm up here but a look at the GPS tells me I am over 1300 Metres high

Since I was last here a concrete road has been extended and I ride it to its finish at N19.25.193 E101.04.811

Then its a dirt track thats quite badly rutted in places

No complaints about the scenery though

I ride an offshoot for a while and along here I am not alone

Now to loop round to the end of the 4017

I reach the start of the 4017 and back to a paved surface at N19.26.289 E101.04.264

It looks like some water filters here and I guess this can be drunk

Riding back to Nan and now on the 1291

A small waterfall roadside

Back at Tonys Place and my dinner arrives, a pork knuckle with double fries and onions for 240 Baht

Yes it will all fit on the plate

Charlie turns up to help me with my chips

He helps himself to one as is his normal custom

His appetite must be down as he stays on the table but doesnt want anymore, perhaps they were too spicy for him

I cant quite manage it all and Tonys dog kindly agrees to eat the bone

You can get the gdb file from my website here … http://www.captainslash.com

**KTMphil** · 28 Dec 2011, 07:16

Looks like some lovely exploring there in that direction, a joy to read. I bet that bird is waiting for you every day at 4.30pm for his dinner too, he's very tame.

I've got your Laos coffee here from Auke, I'm waiting for the next bike to come through that's headed for Nan & i'll get them to take it.

A map of your tracks.