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
Today was to be a short ride, none the less still challenging, forming part of what was a huge dirt loop a few years ago starting at Hongsa. Sadly the 4B is no longer with as a dirt trail, but the trails from Luang Prabang to Nong Kiaw, today's trail and further north to Boun Thai still remain.
Having done this section of only 95 km several times it can be a little tricky in places and I wondered if the Dakar would cope with some of the tighter sections, as it turned out the bike performed faultlessly and it was a fun but hot ride.
The first of so much burning we would ride through today.
The gravel road soon turns to dirt, my earlier concerns the whole way may be paved or graded unwarranted.
Small weaving village another grateful toy recipient.
Some of the architecture especially in the southern section is a little different from you would normally see, some effort appears to be going on to preserve them for tourists.
Into the thick of the burning the worst we had seen so far on the trip, it would get a lot worse.
Villagers down below scouting the hillside for anything exposed by the fires.
Oh my god, that felt nice, almost tempted to dump the bike just to cool down.
Once a very steep horrible section, now nicely graded out.
We pulled into the tiny village of Omthap to dish out some candy and toys.
N20.94917° E102.52048°
What a bunch of young rascals
The signs say the village has 21 families i would say considerably less than that.
Another drink stop and give this reluctant girl a toy from the strange white guy.
Starting the dusty drop down into Muang Khua.
A quick stop over for an oil change.
N21.08051° E102.50685°
The now finished Phongpadith GH, the most expensive place we stayed in at 180k kip it was not really worth it, but now we know.
N21.08218° E102.50519°
The good news it was right across the road from cold beer at the Saifon restaurant!
Typical incomplete rooms but the wire for the wall light made a good soap bag hanger.
GPX viewer
Having done this section of only 95 km several times it can be a little tricky in places and I wondered if the Dakar would cope with some of the tighter sections, as it turned out the bike performed faultlessly and it was a fun but hot ride.
The first of so much burning we would ride through today.
The gravel road soon turns to dirt, my earlier concerns the whole way may be paved or graded unwarranted.
Small weaving village another grateful toy recipient.
Some of the architecture especially in the southern section is a little different from you would normally see, some effort appears to be going on to preserve them for tourists.
Into the thick of the burning the worst we had seen so far on the trip, it would get a lot worse.
Villagers down below scouting the hillside for anything exposed by the fires.
Oh my god, that felt nice, almost tempted to dump the bike just to cool down.
Once a very steep horrible section, now nicely graded out.
We pulled into the tiny village of Omthap to dish out some candy and toys.
N20.94917° E102.52048°
What a bunch of young rascals
The signs say the village has 21 families i would say considerably less than that.
Another drink stop and give this reluctant girl a toy from the strange white guy.
Starting the dusty drop down into Muang Khua.
A quick stop over for an oil change.
N21.08051° E102.50685°
The now finished Phongpadith GH, the most expensive place we stayed in at 180k kip it was not really worth it, but now we know.
N21.08218° E102.50519°
The good news it was right across the road from cold beer at the Saifon restaurant!
Typical incomplete rooms but the wire for the wall light made a good soap bag hanger.
GPX viewer