Tuesday 10.02.09 Meet at X Centre 1000 hrs
9 Riders are Jeff Pike ( Leader)- Triumph 866 Bonny, Neil - 400/4, Rob - 400/4, Ben - D Tracker 250, Richy African Twin 750, Ally - Yammy Cruiser 1100, Kevin - Kawa 250, Big Ray - Kawa ER-6N, Ken ( Tailend charlie) - Faser 1000
Distance 1160 Km's, Four Day Ride of GT North to East Nan
Left X Centre 1045hrs heading north on 107 after Ian and Con both had a test ride on the hire shop ER-6N. Handling and speed (+205kph) was impressive but discovered the oil sump drain plug was not tight so leaking oil - retensioned and off we went.
First stop for strech Neil's battery was dead had no luck finding a replacement so will sort in Chiang Rai. We had several stops one for lunch we meet up with 4 riders on tour with GTR member. Ally has already written a report about first day with photo's as I had no camera for this trip it was required for work in Chiang Mai my apologises.
Two observations day 1 always slow down while riding thru a built up area as the bloody dogs seem to always cross the road in front of bikes. The second traffic light intersections as entering Chiang Rai the road surfaces were very slippery causing wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and 3rd everyone experienced this.
Arrived Chiang Rai and booked into the Orchid Guesshouse it was clean with friendly staff at 450 baht per room. We all went out for Italian for dinner with lots of drinks until the early hours of the morning.
Wednesday morning Ally was off back to CNX and local David L. and his wife rocked up to show us the way to a lovely resort overlooking Chiang Saen Lake on 1016 - the roads were a bit rough with potholes everywhere. We ate lunch then Ian (resort owner) showed us his 2 Triumphs he is rebuilding 1969 & 1971 models. Now the hangovers were disappearing at last. We left resort on minor back roads again to Sop Ruak ( Golden Triangle) had a quick look and then travelled 1290 to Chiang Sean following the river right around thru Chiang Saen on 1129. Still following the river around on 4007 bloody lovely scenic road, arrived Chiang Khong its a smallish town and we had to use two hotels and a quite night was had by all.
Thursday left 1000hrs after breakfast following the Mekong river again absolutely stunning but shit road surface, followed the 1155 south down to 1021. We stopped at Chiang Kham for lunch at a new Tesco store then we were off to travel Pikey's fav road the 1148 which he made a video of. The road was enjoyable with fast twisty bends but on 3 occassions the side of road was collapsing so be aware. This is when 2 bike owners realised their tyre pressures were far too low for good corner handling 22PSI a bad blue, very slow and sluggish in and out of corners.
We arrived at Nan 5PM at a good hotel opposite the night market in the middle of town sorry forgot Thai name 500baht a night and secure bike parking. Everyone cleaned up and refreshed we walked 0.5 km north to a local resturant just off the main drag Thai food was good - Pizza was bad but beer cold. The hotel has a mini-bus service so for 100 baht saw the sights of town which is not too big but the airport direction was ok.
Friday the group of 8 dropped to 6 as a couple of riders decided to enjoy Nan for one more day and after breakfast approx 0900 hrs we headed off on 1091 another scenic hilly ride, then 1251 to Phayao for lunch on the lake. Hire bikes were due back that day so we off again back tracking on 120 then 118 to Doi Saket were I said goodbye to the main group and travelled the bypass road to Sankamphaeng and home.
It was a very enjoyable 4 day ride incident free with a friendly group of riders that just wanted to enjoy their bikes, roads and the beauty of the GT. Thanks to everyone for the experience, highly recommended.
Ken Fabisik
9 Riders are Jeff Pike ( Leader)- Triumph 866 Bonny, Neil - 400/4, Rob - 400/4, Ben - D Tracker 250, Richy African Twin 750, Ally - Yammy Cruiser 1100, Kevin - Kawa 250, Big Ray - Kawa ER-6N, Ken ( Tailend charlie) - Faser 1000
Distance 1160 Km's, Four Day Ride of GT North to East Nan
Left X Centre 1045hrs heading north on 107 after Ian and Con both had a test ride on the hire shop ER-6N. Handling and speed (+205kph) was impressive but discovered the oil sump drain plug was not tight so leaking oil - retensioned and off we went.
First stop for strech Neil's battery was dead had no luck finding a replacement so will sort in Chiang Rai. We had several stops one for lunch we meet up with 4 riders on tour with GTR member. Ally has already written a report about first day with photo's as I had no camera for this trip it was required for work in Chiang Mai my apologises.
Two observations day 1 always slow down while riding thru a built up area as the bloody dogs seem to always cross the road in front of bikes. The second traffic light intersections as entering Chiang Rai the road surfaces were very slippery causing wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and 3rd everyone experienced this.
Arrived Chiang Rai and booked into the Orchid Guesshouse it was clean with friendly staff at 450 baht per room. We all went out for Italian for dinner with lots of drinks until the early hours of the morning.
Wednesday morning Ally was off back to CNX and local David L. and his wife rocked up to show us the way to a lovely resort overlooking Chiang Saen Lake on 1016 - the roads were a bit rough with potholes everywhere. We ate lunch then Ian (resort owner) showed us his 2 Triumphs he is rebuilding 1969 & 1971 models. Now the hangovers were disappearing at last. We left resort on minor back roads again to Sop Ruak ( Golden Triangle) had a quick look and then travelled 1290 to Chiang Sean following the river right around thru Chiang Saen on 1129. Still following the river around on 4007 bloody lovely scenic road, arrived Chiang Khong its a smallish town and we had to use two hotels and a quite night was had by all.
Thursday left 1000hrs after breakfast following the Mekong river again absolutely stunning but shit road surface, followed the 1155 south down to 1021. We stopped at Chiang Kham for lunch at a new Tesco store then we were off to travel Pikey's fav road the 1148 which he made a video of. The road was enjoyable with fast twisty bends but on 3 occassions the side of road was collapsing so be aware. This is when 2 bike owners realised their tyre pressures were far too low for good corner handling 22PSI a bad blue, very slow and sluggish in and out of corners.
We arrived at Nan 5PM at a good hotel opposite the night market in the middle of town sorry forgot Thai name 500baht a night and secure bike parking. Everyone cleaned up and refreshed we walked 0.5 km north to a local resturant just off the main drag Thai food was good - Pizza was bad but beer cold. The hotel has a mini-bus service so for 100 baht saw the sights of town which is not too big but the airport direction was ok.
Friday the group of 8 dropped to 6 as a couple of riders decided to enjoy Nan for one more day and after breakfast approx 0900 hrs we headed off on 1091 another scenic hilly ride, then 1251 to Phayao for lunch on the lake. Hire bikes were due back that day so we off again back tracking on 120 then 118 to Doi Saket were I said goodbye to the main group and travelled the bypass road to Sankamphaeng and home.
It was a very enjoyable 4 day ride incident free with a friendly group of riders that just wanted to enjoy their bikes, roads and the beauty of the GT. Thanks to everyone for the experience, highly recommended.
Ken Fabisik
