Magical 3 Day Loop Northern Thailand

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
January not only is one of the cooler months with some breathtaking scenery, but it also marks the start of the burning season and the smoke and haze that comes with it. That being the case 4 of use decided to get out and ride some of the lesser-known roads to join the dots to make an epic ride.

The bikes, firstly the heavyweights, Suzuki V Strom, Honda Africa Twin DCT, Yamaha MT07 and Ktm 390 Duke.

Screenshot 2020-01-12 at 13.58.23.png

Underway from Chaing Rai first off was the big dipper 4018, short but still, lots of fun.

1 - 1.jpg

The pine tree's marking the 1000 m mark.

1 - 2.jpg

The viewpoint for a quick pull over, Jamie noticed he was losing pressure on his rear tyre, this was to the first of many pit stops.

1 - 3.jpg

Back underway and the descent into the valley.

1 - 4.jpg

Personally i think the roads rides a lot better in the opposite direction unless you're a fan of downhill hairpins.

1 - 5.jpg

The lead riders way off in the distance.

1 - 6.jpg

Making the turn south on the 1155, 1093 and the curves went on and on.

1 - 7.jpg



1 - 8.jpg

Sadly the fun stop but only briefly as we hit farm traffic and the road surface north of Phu Sang was badly broken in places, the MT 07's stiffer suspension was not happy.

1 - 9.jpg

Back on the smooth stuff and Steve was off like a rat up a pipe.

1 - 10.jpg

1 - 11.jpg

Obligatory stop at the waterfall, I did notice the campsite area is now remodelled so on my camping list again, brief Pork & Sticky rice lunch and head off to meet Darryl at the head of the 1148.

1 - 12.jpg

Couldn't have timed it better Darryl had only arrived a few moments earlier, now we are 4.

1 - 13.jpg

Pleasant enough ride on the 1148 ( not my favourite of roads ) and a coffee break at Magic Mountain as Jamie admired the views.

1 - 14.jpg

Darryl smiling as always.

1 - 15.jpg


1 - 16.jpg

A pattern quickly emerged on the bigger sweeping corners the heavyweights held their own, on the twisties it was a different story as the lighter bikes blasted away.

1 - 17.jpg

Now on the Bo Klua loop, maybe one of the best roads in the area.

1 - 18.jpg

Picture time at the 1715 m marker point.

1 - 19.jpg

Sadly the view already obscured by a smokey haze.

1 - 20.jpg

Anyone who has done this loop will certainly remember this super hairpin as you drop down to Bo Klua.

1 - 21.jpg

Some great sweepers to bring a smile to all riders.

1 - 22.jpg


1 - 23.jpg

Jamie hauling the AT around some of the tighter corners.

1 - 24.jpg

As one would expect water levels at an all-time low in this area.

1 - 25.jpg


1 - 26.jpg

Back on the fun stuff, some spirited riding had us scraping the footpegs on the 1081.

1 - 27.jpg

The bailey bridges are still in place after several years, puts a halt to proceedings.

1 - 28.jpg

But not for long as the corners keep coming.

1 - 29.jpg

Stopover for a coffee at the Atlas Nan Coffee shop N18.97674° E100.96695°

1 - 30.jpg

The place is gaining a great reputation and all manner of tourist type goodies on offer.

1 - 31.jpg


1 - 32.jpg

These girls skiving away from school for a photoshoot

1 - 33.jpg


1 - 34.jpg

What a great first day, no better way to end it than a few cold beers and burgers at Crossroads Nan N18.78523° E100.78117°. Day 1 and 412 km covered in a little over 11 hours.

1 - 35.jpg

20200108_200757.jpg

That night we stayed in the BW ( Baan Nai Weang Hotel ) N18.77890° E100.76999° with still some of the most comfortable beds in Thailand, 700 baht a night with a light Thai breakfast on offer.

20200108_183514.jpg

Next morning it was briefly south on the 101 then onto the spectacular 1162

1 - 36.jpg

The lads wasted no time in carving up the corners and this amazing stretch of road.

1 - 37.jpg

1 - 38.jpg


1 - 39.jpg

The fun comes to an end as we reach the village of Nam Muap N18.48411° E100.93431° from here the 1263 south on paper looks like a fantastic road, unfortunately, that's where it ends its a pretty bad shape in sections allowing myself and Jamie on the heavier machines make light work of the poor surface, Steve and Darryl not having the best of times, but there is little alternative unless you want to double back at Nam Muap.

1 - 40.jpg

Several stops along the way so the others could catch up and bend my ears on my route choice, it would soon end and the smiles would briefly return.

1 - 41.jpg

1 - 42.jpg

1 - 43.jpg

Looks innocent enough but almost every corner was broken or covered in sand and gravel.

1 - 44.jpg

Coming to the 1123 junction and a fantastic viewing area.

1 - 45.jpg

1 - 46.jpg

1 - 47.jpg


1 - 48.jpg

Once through this junction thigs improved a lot and the guys sped off again.

1 - 49.jpg

1 - 50.jpg

1 - 51.jpg


1 - 52.jpg


1 - 53.jpg


1 - 54.jpg

Some great corners along the 1123 as we made our way south.

1 - 55.jpg

1 - 56.jpg


1 - 57.jpg

Spirit house adorned with dresses, never seen that before in SE Asia.

1 - 58.jpg

1 - 59.jpg

Heading south on the 1047 to Nam Pat and turning to the Sirikit ferry point

1 - 60.jpg

Already the whole area is dry as a bone and several fires are breaking out as far as you could see.

1 - 61.jpg



1 - 62.jpg


1 - 63.jpg

Quick drink stop at the local market, it was surprisingly hot in this area.

1 - 64.jpg

The Sirikit wow the water was low, very low.

1 - 65.jpg


1 - 66.jpg

Jamie and pump up time again, it turned out the taping from his Tubeless conversion was not fitted correctly and was the cause of the leak.

1 - 67.jpg

20200109_142419.jpg

20200109_142522.jpg

Our chariot soon arrived

1 - 68.jpg

Quickly aboard all safe and sound.

1 - 69.jpg

1 - 70.jpg

The journey takes a little over 15 minutes, we relaxed as a nice breeze swept over the water.

1 - 71.jpg

Jamie and engineer admiring the simplicity of the ferry.

1 - 72.jpg


1 - 73.jpg

Prices have risen sharply they now charge 150 each for motorcycles.

1 - 74.jpg


1 - 75.jpg


1 - 76.jpg


1 - 77.jpg

Back on terra-firma and the wonderful 1339 still a delight to ride.

1 - 78.jpg

Stopped at the 10,000 Mile Cafe, we didn't bother with the "Fairy Coffee" so had a beer instead.

1 - 79.jpg


1 - 80.jpg

We headed north on the 1026 and i would disappoint the speeders once again as we turned into the 2051 and more broken roads heading towards Na Noi.

1 - 81.jpg

Fantastic views as the sun began to set, we needed to press on to reach our hotel before darkness.

1 - 82.jpg

We flew over the 1216 in good time to reach the 101

1 - 83.jpg

On the new completed 101 as the sun set.

1 - 84.jpg

1 - 85.jpg

We checked into the Phum Buri Hotel, great vale at 490 baht a night N18.33665° E100.31633° it has a great restaurant out front so bikes can be safely put away for the night. Another great day 377 km in just over 10 hours.

20200109_175817.jpg


20200109_180102.jpg


20200109_180115.jpg

That morning we hit the 101 heading back to Nan, where Jamie and Steve went their sperate ways.

1 - 86.jpg


1 - 87.jpg

We completed the trip on the 1091, totally devoid of traffic it was a joy to ride.

1 - 88.jpg


1 - 89.jpg

Arrived back in Chiang Rai having covered 1100 km, a great ride with a knowledgable bunch of guys, no pissing contest required just good fun, till next time.
 

Attachments

  • waypoints.GPX
    11.2 KB · Views: 194
  • CR - BK to Nan 2020-01-08.GPX
    2.1 MB · Views: 189
  • Nan to Pum Buri 2020-01-09.GPX
    1.9 MB · Views: 189
  • Pum Buri to home 10 JAN 2020.GPX
    828.8 KB · Views: 190
Great RR and pictures once again Bob.
Great news back on my AT today
All fill good.
So count me in with the next ride out.

Did you view Jamie new LOBOO Led ligths

IMO one of the best led on the market .
5 sets are there way to CR as I speak lol.
Once again thanks for posting the great RR.
 
Great report and photos Bob (y)...............im familiar with alot of them roads :cool:


Did Jamie get his rear tyre repaired or just kept pumping it up ?
 
Great report and photos Bob (y)...............im familiar with alot of them roads :cool:


Did Jamie get his rear tyre repaired or just kept pumping it up ?

He limped back to 69 Tire on CM, and ended up putting a tube back in to fix it, it was losing around 8 bar each night, good job he had his pump.
 
Did you view Jamie new LOBOO Led ligths

IMO one of the best led on the market .
5 sets are there way to CR as I speak lol.

Hey Stephen im interested in having a look at those LOBOO LED lights, it looks like the kit has the switches etc to make the lights flash if required, I like the yellow light option....................I cant remember seeing them on Jamies AT last time I went for a ride with him, maybe they are a new addition ?

Could you let me know when you have some in CR ?

Gav
 
Hi Gav
There are worth a look IMO
YES Jamie Just fitted them
And the man only fits the best

Lobbo ligths should be with me by Monday
Have 5 sets

1 set for my AT
The rest for sale
THAILAND LOBOO sell the on Facebook for 7500 THB
Because JAMIE has purchessed other Loboo stuff paid 7000 thb
My price to sell quick is only 6000 thb

Not cheap but the best imo on the market .

Sorry Bob will start a new thread for the ligths ok
 
Back
Top Bottom