Ho Chi Minh Trail Noobs.

[nikhuzlan]

Early this November we loaded a couple of bikes on two pick-ups and drove up to Khao Yai to meet up with a couple of our Malaysian Riders who took part in the GS Trophy SEA Selection. Faizal who was selected and Hamzah who just missed out RVed with us at the Touratech Travel Event and after a weekend there, headed to Ubon Ratchathani.
We parked our trucks at a friend's house and entered into Laos at Chong Mek. Totally trouble free entry on a Sunday.
We spent the night at Pakse before heading South to join Rte 18 to Attapeu.

We had a mix of bikes, 2 CRF250Ls, a Sertao, an XChallenge, a 250 Huskie and a 350 SixDays.

We rode 18A, went up the Bolaven for the waterfalls, then entered the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Ta Oy and exited at the bamboo bridge at Ban Along. We stayed at Xepon.

Then headed Northwards all the way to Long Tien before exiting at Vientiane and then onto Ubon to load the bikes and head home to KL, Malaysia.

A thoroughly enjoyable trip that we will repeat in february ( opposite direction for a different perspective ).

A full trip report will follow in time.

For now, here's a video I made when we rode the HCMT from Ta Oy to Ban Along.

 

[nikhuzlan]

A Trailer of the ride

- - - Updated - - -

Another Trailer of the Ride

 

[bsacbob]

Nice video's and great selection of bikes, did you make it through both the bombed out bridges ending in Phin ?

 

[nikhuzlan]

Nice video's and great selection of bikes, did you make it through both the bombed out bridges ending in Phin ?

Yes we did.

 

[kchow24]

How you guys cross through the river?

 

[Lone Rider]

How you guys cross through the river?

If the water level is low, just drive through or otherwise take the small ferry (on the left side of the picture)

 

[bsacbob]

The more northerly bombed bridge before Phin is much deeper here is a picture from April this year and the small ferry is in operation, although you have to ride along the riverbank to get to it if you miss the turn.

 

[bill]

In Feb 2009 I took a route from Ta oy to Dong via Lahup-Labeng, and Nong. All river/creek crossings could be rode across at the time.
No idea whats become of the trail now.

 

[Lone Rider]

In Feb 2009 I took a route from Ta oy to Dong via Lahup-Labeng, and Nong. All river/creek crossings could be rode across at the time.
No idea whats become of the trail now.

The road from Dong to Nong and onwards to the south on the east side of the Xe Lanong river is being upgraded and river/creek crossings are being replaced by bridges or culverts.