Captain_Slash
Community Manager
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2011
- Bikes
- BMW 310GS Honda Wave 125 Honda MSX 125
The route 1194
Total distance 148 km
The start of todays new track at Mae Sam Laep, I noticed fuel sold here from the hand pumps
I am told at the harbour that I can ride to Tha Ta Fang then on to Mae Sakoep
Its a paved road from the harbour to start with then the road turns to dirt at N.17.59.054 E097.44.308
Not far in and a cloud of smoke greets me
But its only rubbish being burnt here
Its a relatively easy going dirt track today
Across the Salawin in Burma and a reasonable sized land slip by the look of it
All of a sudden a guy appears from out of the trees then crosses the road and disappears again
The track now turns inland a bit and I am riding along one of the tributaries of the Salawin
Now for my first water crossing of the day
Theres a few homes on the other side of the water
Peering through the trees I can see a boat and I am looking for a way down to the riverside for some better photos but its too steep to get down without falling, then getting back up would be a big problem
Further along I spot a mother with her sons down on the river bank so here I manage to climb down okay
Now if I can manage to get out there I will be out in the middle of the Salawin
I make it out to the middle on the rocks
Looking up to where the water level rises to and its got to be about 25 metres higher in the wet season
Where the river has narrowed so much its a very fast current indeed and sod falling in there
Boats travelling downstream motor through here
This one going upstream really slows down here
Although the boats engine note doesnt change at this point the boat almost appeared to be stopped as the current was so strong
A couple of very minor water crossing along the way
Free drinking water is available here
The weather is so much clearer today and so are the photos, while I am happy about this I am pissed off about the last three days new forays not having the same visibility, especially yesterdays ride to the confluence.
I will try to get there again in march for another look
The NP at Tha Ta Fang
My main water crossing today to ride into Tha Ta Fang
Fuel is available here in bottles at N.18.04.459 E097.41.461
The soldier here tells me that the high water level is above those sandbags and is 30 metres above its current level
I ask which way to Mae Sakoep but here I am told theres no track and I can only get there by boat
I have rode from Mae Sariang to here before on the Phantom and remember the difficulty in getting back through a water crossing, the KLX would be more difficult through that water because of its seat height and as I am alone I decide to ride back the way I left as I know there are no pitfalls awaiting me
On the way back and the ice cream man is stopped here
Suddenly theres vehicles galore passing through here
A 5 Baht treat that is much appreciated on this hot days ride
Nearing Mae Sam Laep and what a fun days ride exploring a new track, sadly I need to leave tomorrow as my visa expires on monday but I hope to get back here for some more exploring next month
Back on the 1194 and these buffaloes are relaxing
A new restaurant tonight, this is Mae Sariangs other Moukata at N18.09.048 E097.56.251
The usual food here
Includes ice cream for 129 Baht
You can get the gdb file from my website here … http://www.captainslash.com
Total distance 148 km
The start of todays new track at Mae Sam Laep, I noticed fuel sold here from the hand pumps
I am told at the harbour that I can ride to Tha Ta Fang then on to Mae Sakoep
Its a paved road from the harbour to start with then the road turns to dirt at N.17.59.054 E097.44.308
Not far in and a cloud of smoke greets me
But its only rubbish being burnt here
Its a relatively easy going dirt track today
Across the Salawin in Burma and a reasonable sized land slip by the look of it
All of a sudden a guy appears from out of the trees then crosses the road and disappears again
The track now turns inland a bit and I am riding along one of the tributaries of the Salawin
Now for my first water crossing of the day
Theres a few homes on the other side of the water
Peering through the trees I can see a boat and I am looking for a way down to the riverside for some better photos but its too steep to get down without falling, then getting back up would be a big problem
Further along I spot a mother with her sons down on the river bank so here I manage to climb down okay
Now if I can manage to get out there I will be out in the middle of the Salawin
I make it out to the middle on the rocks
Looking up to where the water level rises to and its got to be about 25 metres higher in the wet season
Where the river has narrowed so much its a very fast current indeed and sod falling in there
Boats travelling downstream motor through here
This one going upstream really slows down here
Although the boats engine note doesnt change at this point the boat almost appeared to be stopped as the current was so strong
A couple of very minor water crossing along the way
Free drinking water is available here
The weather is so much clearer today and so are the photos, while I am happy about this I am pissed off about the last three days new forays not having the same visibility, especially yesterdays ride to the confluence.
I will try to get there again in march for another look
The NP at Tha Ta Fang
My main water crossing today to ride into Tha Ta Fang
Fuel is available here in bottles at N.18.04.459 E097.41.461
The soldier here tells me that the high water level is above those sandbags and is 30 metres above its current level
I ask which way to Mae Sakoep but here I am told theres no track and I can only get there by boat
I have rode from Mae Sariang to here before on the Phantom and remember the difficulty in getting back through a water crossing, the KLX would be more difficult through that water because of its seat height and as I am alone I decide to ride back the way I left as I know there are no pitfalls awaiting me
On the way back and the ice cream man is stopped here
Suddenly theres vehicles galore passing through here
A 5 Baht treat that is much appreciated on this hot days ride
Nearing Mae Sam Laep and what a fun days ride exploring a new track, sadly I need to leave tomorrow as my visa expires on monday but I hope to get back here for some more exploring next month
Back on the 1194 and these buffaloes are relaxing
A new restaurant tonight, this is Mae Sariangs other Moukata at N18.09.048 E097.56.251
The usual food here
Includes ice cream for 129 Baht
You can get the gdb file from my website here … http://www.captainslash.com
