R1c Vieng Thong / Muang Hiam - Phou Lao - R6 - Xam Neua

[DavidFL]

A continuation from
Road Update - Pak Mong - Nam Bak - Nong Khiew - R1c
and
R1c Nong Khiew - Vieng Thong / Muang Hiam

A later getaway than preferred on account I misread my watch earlier on & didnt look at the time again until it was "late."

Vieng Thong - Xam Neau = 146 kms on another of those wonderful narrow twisting roller coaster mountain roads.

Brekky was at the bus station in an effort to find something decent for breakfast.

'

Breakfast

& the verdict is I'd rather eat at the bus station than the Tontavanh.

And I was finally on the road at 11AM. No problem I thought it's only 146 kms & the road gets better.

The way up from Vieng Thong

and generally it is a beauty all the way to Phou Lao, the road junction with R6.

It seems to wind through the mountains endlessly

Up on the ridgeline the forest cover was interesting & beautiful

There are not as many villages as on the Nong Khiew - Vieng Thong road.

but a big bike always gets some attention when you stop for a photo.

The closer to Phou Lao you get the busier it gets.

The endless blind corners you need to take care on

Some Sakura beauty

Locals on the way home with some firewood to keep warm

The Google Earth view to Phou Lao

Phu Lao junction city

more to come.

 

[DavidFL]

Vieng Thong / Muang Him - Pou Lao

From Phou Lao to Xam Neua the road has seen better days unfortunately & is broken up & potholed in many places.

Bomb shells start to feature along the way

A dirt road for Moto-Rex & Brian

The asphalt ones in the distance for David Unk

The elevation profile Phou Lao to Xam Neau

confirmation of the roller coaster ride up & down "the hills."

The Google Earth view riding the ridgline & valleys from Phou Lao towards Xam Neua

 

[DavidFL]

Xam Neua
Arrival time was 3.30PM & I'd set off from Vieng Thong at 11AM
A good part of the Phou Lao - Xam Neua section was a pig of a road full of potholes, sorry I didnt get any photos of those suckers.

It was absolutely glorious weather on arrival

The next morning it was not quite the same

Drizzling with rain & a much lower temperature.
Unfortunately for me my dodgy knee started playing up & popping out.
The next few days were difficult - hobbling around on one leg, plus cold & wet.

Killing time
Wat Phoxaysanaram

is up on the hill over looking Xam Neua

a bit more to come.