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
After a good nights sleep we set of on what was to be a nice easy ride through the park and hopefully see a few working elephants along the route, but plans changed.
Screenshot 2015-11-26 13.01.04 by bsacbob, on Flickr
421 km
Screenshot 2015-11-26 13.03.24 by bsacbob, on Flickr
After grabbing some fuel and getting insurance in town ( N19.26183 E101.70674 ) due to the fact the insurance offices on the crossing had closed we had a late start but the morning mist was already clearing.
Sayabouri to VTE Via Paklay by bsacbob, on Flickr
Still lot's of most sections, this one had Steve rolling in the bamboo.
2015-11-12 09.03.06 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-12 08.43.11 by bsacbob, on Flickr
We hoped this wasn't the same for the whole day otherwise it was going to be a long one.
2015-11-12 08.43.19 by bsacbob, on Flickr
We had been told the trail was impassable two days before, luckily the tree's had been cleared didn't fancy hacking through this one.
2015-11-12 08.51.06 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Not much improvement.
2015-11-12 09.02.11 by bsacbob, on Flickr
2015-11-12 09.04.20 by bsacbob, on Flickr
A good part of this trail is almost single track with some pretty difficult rocky sections to come.
2015-11-12 09.23.51 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Steve on his 300 conversion enjoying the ride.
2015-11-12 09.23.56 by bsacbob, on Flickr
The slipping and sliding continued.
2015-11-12 09.51.41 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Gate access near the army camp.
2015-11-12 10.31.43 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Steve emerging from one of the more difficult sections the 300 with the Ohlins setup eating it up.
2015-11-12 10.56.28 by bsacbob, on Flickr
A wrong turn had us poking around in a village.
2015-11-12 12.18.59 by bsacbob, on Flickr
We arrived in Paklay around noon to consider our options over liquids at the Saykong Restaurant.
2015-11-12 12.48.06 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Our intended GH directly opposite.
2015-11-12 13.23.16 by bsacbob, on Flickr
We both agreed to push on, Steve was on a tight deadline to leave for the UK and both felt we could reach VTE and catch back a day.
The Paklay ferry
2015-11-12 13.41.56 by bsacbob, on Flickr
New bridge slowly coming in shape, spelling the end of another nice ferry crossing.
2015-11-12 13.56.32 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Around 5.30pm we arrived in VTE to meet up with Don Duvall and Sergio who had booked rooms ahead hoping we would make it, an enjoyable day the stretch along the Mekong is still pretty good graded surface and nice river views along the way. A night of food and drink at the Bor Pen Nyang was in order, tommorrow Long Cheng and a different route.
2015-11-13 08.22.13 by bsacbob, on Flickr
Location N17.96504 E102.60424
Screenshot 2015-11-26 13.01.04 by bsacbob, on Flickr421 km
Screenshot 2015-11-26 13.03.24 by bsacbob, on FlickrAfter grabbing some fuel and getting insurance in town ( N19.26183 E101.70674 ) due to the fact the insurance offices on the crossing had closed we had a late start but the morning mist was already clearing.
Sayabouri to VTE Via Paklay by bsacbob, on FlickrStill lot's of most sections, this one had Steve rolling in the bamboo.
2015-11-12 09.03.06 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-12 08.43.11 by bsacbob, on FlickrWe hoped this wasn't the same for the whole day otherwise it was going to be a long one.
2015-11-12 08.43.19 by bsacbob, on FlickrWe had been told the trail was impassable two days before, luckily the tree's had been cleared didn't fancy hacking through this one.
2015-11-12 08.51.06 by bsacbob, on FlickrNot much improvement.
2015-11-12 09.02.11 by bsacbob, on Flickr2015-11-12 09.04.20 by bsacbob, on FlickrA good part of this trail is almost single track with some pretty difficult rocky sections to come.
2015-11-12 09.23.51 by bsacbob, on FlickrSteve on his 300 conversion enjoying the ride.
2015-11-12 09.23.56 by bsacbob, on FlickrThe slipping and sliding continued.
2015-11-12 09.51.41 by bsacbob, on FlickrGate access near the army camp.
2015-11-12 10.31.43 by bsacbob, on FlickrSteve emerging from one of the more difficult sections the 300 with the Ohlins setup eating it up.
2015-11-12 10.56.28 by bsacbob, on FlickrA wrong turn had us poking around in a village.
2015-11-12 12.18.59 by bsacbob, on FlickrWe arrived in Paklay around noon to consider our options over liquids at the Saykong Restaurant.
2015-11-12 12.48.06 by bsacbob, on FlickrOur intended GH directly opposite.
2015-11-12 13.23.16 by bsacbob, on FlickrWe both agreed to push on, Steve was on a tight deadline to leave for the UK and both felt we could reach VTE and catch back a day.
The Paklay ferry
2015-11-12 13.41.56 by bsacbob, on FlickrNew bridge slowly coming in shape, spelling the end of another nice ferry crossing.
2015-11-12 13.56.32 by bsacbob, on FlickrAround 5.30pm we arrived in VTE to meet up with Don Duvall and Sergio who had booked rooms ahead hoping we would make it, an enjoyable day the stretch along the Mekong is still pretty good graded surface and nice river views along the way. A night of food and drink at the Bor Pen Nyang was in order, tommorrow Long Cheng and a different route.
2015-11-13 08.22.13 by bsacbob, on FlickrLocation N17.96504 E102.60424
