Chiang Rai To Pai Alternative Dirt Routes

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
A small group of us heading to Pai for the Shan National day, so I was looking for some interesting routes mixing dirt and paved roads this is how it went.

Chilly start as we met at Rong Khun.

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Reaching the foot of Doi Chang and the water ford was bone dry, never seen it like this before.

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Usually full of locals washing bikes etc.

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After some spirited riding up the mountain to the viewpoint.

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Time for some hot coffee to warm the bones, careful of the parking for some folks.

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Relatively smoke free views at the moment.

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Climbing down to Wowie.

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Time to cut the corner and the dirt trail to Fang, it can be very slippy but on this occasion, it was bulldust the problem in some parts.

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Locals a little surprised to see us, amazing your only a few km's from Fang but its like time has stopped for these people.

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The pace of life more than a little slow.

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The artwork at the hermit's house was still intact.

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Now has executive WC

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Ronny contemplating.

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Some terrific views as you near Fang.

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An uneventful ride over Doi Angkhan, the road is in poor condition once again, we headed to Piang Luang for lunch.

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The best, well the only place in town, very quick service and great food.

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From here past the most expensive gas station in Thailand and onto the dirt trail to Pai and a drink stop in the Karen village.

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Lots of bulldust along here especially on the tight corners can easily catch you out.

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Steve back on the dirt and enjoying it, i think.

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Quick scenic stop at the old Wat

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From here some good riding on fast sections avoiding the ruts.

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After a long dry 323 km day safely checked into the Pichai GH to meet up with Jolly boys from Bangkok.

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Lots of talk and much beer consumed in readiness for the morning ride.

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That's it for the night Shan State in the morning.

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Wow 323KM in a day on dirt roads :oops:
We aim to do 200/250KM a day on asphalt
I guess we stop way to often for coffee and views :unsure:

Nice trip report! Thanks
:)
 
Well we did stop 3 times or maybe more :sipping

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  • 2020-02-05 CR to Pai Part dirt.GPX
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Nice report Bob. A three of us tried the road up from Pai to Wiang Haeng but decided it wasn't suitable for an NC700 - and an out of condition self, who knows, maybe next season;-)
 
Nice report Bob. A three of us tried the road up from Pai to Wiang Haeng but decided it wasn't suitable for an NC700 - and an out of condition self, who knows, maybe next season;-)
Tim, i think in time it will get paved in the meantime some of the steeper switchbacks are pretty deep in bulldust.
 
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