bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
Had the weekend free so time to hit some dirt and reacquaint myself with some stuff i had done before in the hope it may still be decent dirt along the way. Alexandra and Ardre who had just spent some weeks touring Laos dropped by Chiang Rai and joined me for the outward leg of the journey.
Total distance 377km 20% being dirt, GPX will be at the foot of the post.
The layout of the route the golden section being the Santisuk section.
As we left the Highway the 3186 eventually turns to dirt, well bulldust at this time of year which came as no surprise.
Alexandra being behind me was soon looking a nice shade of brown.
A brief interlude of concrete
Sadly the smoke once more upon us good landscape shots would be shrouded in the thickening smoke.
As we passed the Pa wee rangers station i notice a new graded track heading Sw, worth more investigation next time.
Some of the bridges in pretty poor repair, easy to come undone crossing these.
Alexandra and Andre pick their way across.
This is the river bed section that is usually running all year round, this year as dry as could be.
It's a relatively short but fun trail with a couple of looping options to the west so you can make a day of it.
End of this dirt section and time for some liquid refreshment at the local shop, it's already getting hot.
Wat Ban Hang was hosting a marriage party cleary Liverpool supporters, not sure in LFC would be happy to see their logo defaced.
Looks like the event of the year.
The temple looking well turned out as always.
The 1303 to the 120 has some very nice temples for such a short stretch of road, the locals must dig deep to keep them all so well maintained.
Getting it all today, all we need now is a birth to complete the cycle.
A quick stopover at Than Tong Waterfall
N19.07005° E99.72940°
The dinosaurs at the not so panoramic viewpoint, all these years i still don't get the dinosaur connection in Thailand.
The ride to Satisuk was less than inspiring, the section i recall as dirt all nicely paved, fingers crossed.
THe turn south towards the 1172 and 1091, yet to connect so i'm told.
Santisuk has changed little over the years, its a small Hmong village but i did see signs of modernisation and a couple of homestays now available.
The only gas pump in the village.
N19.04650° E100.49085°
The stream crossing marking the relentless climb at the start, easily missed.
Alexandra and Andrea both had new rear tyres fitted a wise move considering the bulldust on the climb up.
It's a short but rewarding trail with a mixture of heavily shaded bamboo sections and tree cover.
Bamboo leaves do a good job of smoothing out the surface.
As with all climbs, there has to be a decent, this has a couple of notable ones.
As we reached the rangers station just outside Ban Sop Khun little signs of life.
I motioned to the signing book as a ranger appeared and waved me off, maybe they are collecting numbers for traffic analysis as rumours are it may well get paved, hopefully not.
Great views from the 1082 as we are above the smoke for a while.
The 1082 is on my to do list, perfectly paved it would be a joy on a sports bike, not sure how the noryh bound section would be though.
Soon hitting the end of the 1148 and a blast down the 101 to Nan and a nice cold beer or two at The Crossroads Restaurant N18.78527° E100.78106° and delicious food served up by Sean and Em to bring the day to a satisfactory conclusion.
Total distance 377km 20% being dirt, GPX will be at the foot of the post.
The layout of the route the golden section being the Santisuk section.
As we left the Highway the 3186 eventually turns to dirt, well bulldust at this time of year which came as no surprise.
Alexandra being behind me was soon looking a nice shade of brown.
A brief interlude of concrete
Sadly the smoke once more upon us good landscape shots would be shrouded in the thickening smoke.
As we passed the Pa wee rangers station i notice a new graded track heading Sw, worth more investigation next time.
Some of the bridges in pretty poor repair, easy to come undone crossing these.
Alexandra and Andre pick their way across.
This is the river bed section that is usually running all year round, this year as dry as could be.
It's a relatively short but fun trail with a couple of looping options to the west so you can make a day of it.
End of this dirt section and time for some liquid refreshment at the local shop, it's already getting hot.
Wat Ban Hang was hosting a marriage party cleary Liverpool supporters, not sure in LFC would be happy to see their logo defaced.
Looks like the event of the year.
The temple looking well turned out as always.
The 1303 to the 120 has some very nice temples for such a short stretch of road, the locals must dig deep to keep them all so well maintained.
Getting it all today, all we need now is a birth to complete the cycle.
A quick stopover at Than Tong Waterfall
N19.07005° E99.72940°
The dinosaurs at the not so panoramic viewpoint, all these years i still don't get the dinosaur connection in Thailand.
The ride to Satisuk was less than inspiring, the section i recall as dirt all nicely paved, fingers crossed.
THe turn south towards the 1172 and 1091, yet to connect so i'm told.
Santisuk has changed little over the years, its a small Hmong village but i did see signs of modernisation and a couple of homestays now available.
The only gas pump in the village.
N19.04650° E100.49085°
The stream crossing marking the relentless climb at the start, easily missed.
Alexandra and Andrea both had new rear tyres fitted a wise move considering the bulldust on the climb up.
It's a short but rewarding trail with a mixture of heavily shaded bamboo sections and tree cover.
Bamboo leaves do a good job of smoothing out the surface.
As with all climbs, there has to be a decent, this has a couple of notable ones.
As we reached the rangers station just outside Ban Sop Khun little signs of life.
I motioned to the signing book as a ranger appeared and waved me off, maybe they are collecting numbers for traffic analysis as rumours are it may well get paved, hopefully not.
Great views from the 1082 as we are above the smoke for a while.
The 1082 is on my to do list, perfectly paved it would be a joy on a sports bike, not sure how the noryh bound section would be though.
Soon hitting the end of the 1148 and a blast down the 101 to Nan and a nice cold beer or two at The Crossroads Restaurant N18.78527° E100.78106° and delicious food served up by Sean and Em to bring the day to a satisfactory conclusion.
