The last two days have been some of the most enjoyable riding in spite of the weather
and more surprisingly only a few hours away from Chiang Mai centre.
It started with Silverhawk showing me the stunningly beautiful 1252.
Dense & overgrown with partial road collapses to negotiate
it partially runs through the Chae Son National Park before rejoining the 118.
River fords are part of the obstacles that one negotiates.
Silverhawk was being a trooper as I was looking for an action shot for a 2009 calendar shoot.
Tho I believe I got a little more damp than the rider!
Joe had another idea going up to Mae Taeng and "just beyond the elephant camps there's some dirt road river crossings".
Silverhawk gamely agreed to accompany us believing -as did I- that it would be a short jaunt.
Joe had other ideas bringing along a mate of his, Momo Casanova [true!]...
in his Kawasaki Vulcan side car combo.
Now I was still under the impression that we were in for a tame little foray that may involve a bit of dirt ...
Joe set off up the 107 @ a blistering pace
and then hung a left to the elephant camps
here things got a little sticky
and it was becoming clear that we may well not be back by 6pm - Joe's estimate...
The mud was eastern front thick but the Teutonic duo powered forward
The Scrambler didn't have the benefit of an outrigger
Splash !
Joe was in his element
Finally we got to the watercrossing
The local washing her laundry was not too impressed
especially as Joe had to go back and do it again
and then back
The Scrambler was not so easy on the slippery rocks
stopping mid-stream is not such a good move
Joe hadn't realised that his battery was dying..
By this time the Vulcan didn't want to play anymore and needed a push start
Finally we slid into Sop Kai
Here the river height was evident
and up river
A break & warm sticky drinks & snickers were in order
Silverhawk looking his imperturbable self
from Sop Kai we took the 4024 to the 1095
and then the 107 back to town.
A great ride, made more adventurous by the conditions and the state of the 4024 with its very steep gradients and applecrumble surface.
Thoroughly enjoyable - and many thanks to Joe & his mate, as well as to our own Silverhawk
for putting together two cracking rides.
summed up by a sign espied by Silverhawk on an adventure tour pickup
Pictures were from Silverhawk, Joe & Rhodie
and more surprisingly only a few hours away from Chiang Mai centre.
It started with Silverhawk showing me the stunningly beautiful 1252.
Dense & overgrown with partial road collapses to negotiate
it partially runs through the Chae Son National Park before rejoining the 118.
River fords are part of the obstacles that one negotiates.
Silverhawk was being a trooper as I was looking for an action shot for a 2009 calendar shoot.
Tho I believe I got a little more damp than the rider!
Joe had another idea going up to Mae Taeng and "just beyond the elephant camps there's some dirt road river crossings".
Silverhawk gamely agreed to accompany us believing -as did I- that it would be a short jaunt.
Joe had other ideas bringing along a mate of his, Momo Casanova [true!]...
in his Kawasaki Vulcan side car combo.
Now I was still under the impression that we were in for a tame little foray that may involve a bit of dirt ...
Joe set off up the 107 @ a blistering pace
and then hung a left to the elephant camps
here things got a little sticky
and it was becoming clear that we may well not be back by 6pm - Joe's estimate...
The mud was eastern front thick but the Teutonic duo powered forward
The Scrambler didn't have the benefit of an outrigger
Splash !
Joe was in his element
Finally we got to the watercrossing
The local washing her laundry was not too impressed
especially as Joe had to go back and do it again
and then back
The Scrambler was not so easy on the slippery rocks
stopping mid-stream is not such a good move
Joe hadn't realised that his battery was dying..
By this time the Vulcan didn't want to play anymore and needed a push start
Finally we slid into Sop Kai
Here the river height was evident
and up river
A break & warm sticky drinks & snickers were in order
Silverhawk looking his imperturbable self
from Sop Kai we took the 4024 to the 1095
and then the 107 back to town.
A great ride, made more adventurous by the conditions and the state of the 4024 with its very steep gradients and applecrumble surface.
Thoroughly enjoyable - and many thanks to Joe & his mate, as well as to our own Silverhawk
for putting together two cracking rides.
summed up by a sign espied by Silverhawk on an adventure tour pickup
Pictures were from Silverhawk, Joe & Rhodie
