Short trips on the CB500x in my local area

[Wayne66]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan

Day 2 part 1

The route today was from Chiang Khan to Nong Khai using the 211 and the 242, but coming on to some smaller roads along the side of the Mekong where possible.

I had looked at the weather forecast before we set off, rain was on the cards for later on in the morning. Time will tell!

The Mekong was looking pretty dry as it flows through this area.

‎⁨Pak Chom⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

Coffee stop on the 211, More-verest Mekong View Coffee shop N18.02616 E 101.90082

More-verest Coffee Shop, ‎⁨Pak Chom⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

Back on the road heading towards Sangkhom

‎⁨Sangkhom⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩

We stopped in Sangkhom in the hope of getting some food at a place where I ate on my last ride here, it was however closed and didn't look like it would be reopening. So I grabbed a coffee and snickers then we moved on

Sangkhom

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan

Day 2 part 2

We left Sangkhom and continued along the 211 towards Nong Khai. The plan was to keep the 211 as the axis and keep going in towards the Mekong as I have done previously but on our first attempt it started to rain quiet heavy, so it was on with the water proofs and back on to the 211 mainly because the small single track farm roads are not much cop in the wet.

The rain eventually stopped.

Si Chiang Mai⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩

We got to about 2/3 km from Nong Khai and needed some food, so we pulled in to the Lekhong Restaurant N17.88033, E102.72894 for a bite to eat.
Just as we had finished it rained again

View of the 1st Thai Lao Friendship Bridge

The place we were stopping was only about 2 km's away so my riding partner pushed on and I decided to wait it out as my old all in one wet suit was past its sell by date and was as much use as a chocolate fireguard!

I eventually made it to the overnight stop.

Pikul Apartments and Hotel. N17.88261 E102.74487
Relax for a couple of hours before heading on to Walking Street

Walking Street had a Evening Food Market, so we sat and had some street food next to the Mekong

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

3 Days on some old and new roads, Isaan

Day 3

It was time for me to head on home. Brandon was stopping in Nong Khai for another few days so he could get an extension on his visa at Immigration and his TIP extended at Customs.
We had a natter and a coffee then I set off

I set the Montana 600 on the shortest route and went where it took me.

There was not a great deal so see on the route home and it was pretty flat but the roads were good on the first half. Then it was on to the 228 all the way in to Chum Phae.
I did come across some Buddha statues on the 2097. N17.58196 E102.40855
at Wat Pa Si Samran.

‎⁨Wat Pa Si Samran 2⁩, ⁨Ban Phue⁩, ⁨Udon Thani⁩⁩

I had a good couple of day riding with Brandon and it was good to get out. It was also a chance to ride the 2016 and to show him some good Isaan riding roads. I will be riding the 2016 again!

682km for me over the 3 days and its now time to get my bike serviced.

Wayne

 

[DavidFL]

Damn that's a heavy shower

Congrats on the Pikul in NK. Great place isn't it, top value!

 

[Wayne66]

Damn that's a heavy shower

Congrats on the Pikul in NK. Great place isn't it, top value!

Yes, great place, I would definitely stop again

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

A day meandering in Isaan 160824

Part 1

The plan was to head north on the 201 until I got to Nong Hin there sling a left following some of the smaller roads before getting on to the 3029. Then picking up the 2016 and 2216 which I have ridden before but this time riding them anti clockwise

The ride up to Nong Hin was pretty none eventful on the 201, once there I stopped to top off the bike before back tracking a bit and picking up the area I wanted to ride.

‎⁨Nong Hin area⁩, ⁨Loei⁩, on the 201⁩

The 3029 was not a bad road to ride but it did disappear and go into a track road, due to it being rainy season and it was quite away until I hit the main road again I decided to turn around and head back.

‎⁨Nong Hin area⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

I branched off the 3029 to visit a waterfall, which to be fair was a bit of a let down, Phiang Din Waterfall N17.06553 E101.74771

Phiang Din Waterfall, ‎⁨Nong Hin⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

On the way back from the waterfall I stopped at Suan Hin Pha Ngam N17.05024 E101.74350

Suan Hin Pha Ngam, ‎⁨Nong Hin⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

Back on the 3029

From the 3029 I picked up the 3021, on the 3021 I saw a large man made Cobra in the distance, so I made a little bit of a deviation and found a Temple at N17.13039 E101.75406.

Wat Pa Sitte Thammaram, ‎⁨Phu Luang⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

Back on to the 3021 then the 2473 before getting on to the 4038. The 4038 did eventually go on to a wide track and it was about 5km to the 2016, The track looked well used so I continued rather than turn around.

‎⁨Phu Luang⁩ area, ⁨Loei⁩

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

A day meandering in Isaan 160824

Part 2

Doing the 2016 and the 2216 anti clockwise as you’re looking at the map was great, I much preferred it that way. I found the roads to be more flowing and you get to look at the scenery from a different perspective.
Not many photos on the 2016 and 2216 as I was really enjoying the roads.

‎⁨Phu Luang⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

‎⁨Lom Kao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩⁩

Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩⁩

I had also not stopped for a coffee since filling up the bike.
So I stopped at the Take Hill coffee N17.07846 E101.47413 on the 2016

Lom Kao area Coffee Shop RR 2016

Take Hill coffee N17.07846 E101.47413 on the 2016 Proper Coffee with a reasonable taste and a nice place to stop and admire the view mid-ride. There are a couple of other coffee shops in a row at the top of the 2016 Wayne

www.gt-rider.com

and the Runjuan Coffee shop N16.72987 E101.74065 on the 2216 near Nam Nao.

Nam Nao Coffee Shop RR 2216

Runjuan Coffee shop N16.72987 E101.74065 on the 2216 near Nam Nao. It looked like a husband and wife team running the place and they had one waitress. The husband spoke quite good English. It also advertises as a camping spot although I am not sure if they still do it. Great view whilst you...

www.gt-rider.com

I had planned on doing more roads today but time just got away and by the time I was back home I had covered 323km. But it's another excuse to get out and about another day!

Wayne

 

[DavidFL]

"Doing the 2016 and the 2216 anti clockwise as you’re looking at the map was great, I much preferred it that way. I found the roads to be more flowing and you get to look at the scenery from a different perspective."

It is interesting how riding a road in another direction makes it so much better or worse, yet it is the same road.
R1148 is like that for me, so much better riding it from West to East.

 

[Wayne66]

A Day meandering in Isaan revisited 011224

Part 1

As I said on my last report, meandering in Isaan 160824. There were other roads that I had wanted to do that day but they never got done due to the kilometers. So today was the day when I was going to do them

It was a bit, chilly when I set off and the wind was whistling through my Knox armoured shirt.
The plan was to go up the 201 to Phu Kradueng, stop at the PTT, fill up, and then get on with the route. I had put some waypoints on my Montana 600 but that was it!

From the fuel station I carried on up the 201 for about a km before hooking a left on to the 3113 heading into the Phu Kradueng National Park area

On the 3113, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

The 3113 turned into the 3114 and then barriers....I didn't realize there were barriers on the road until I got there and I wasn't sure if the road was closed or not. The ride out might be short lived!
A guy came over and I showed him where I intended to go, the barrier went up and I was allowed to pass through without parting with any money.
The intention was to try and do a circumference of the Phu Kradueng mountain but there was a bit of about 6km where I didn't think I would get through on my 500x and a river crossing with no knowledge of if there is a bridge.
I believe I was still on the 3114 but anyway, the road slowly deteriorated and became sparodic loose stone, rutted and in places gravel. The gravel was deep enough to make it feel like the front was going to wash out, fortunately there wasn't a lot of it.

Entrance to the ‎⁨Phu Kradueng National Park⁩, ⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

Tat Hong Waterfall area, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng National Park⁩, ⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

I didn't go to the waterfall as it was quite away down a track and I didn't fancy leaving the bike and walking in my boots
From the waterfall I turned around to have a look at the junction where 6km into the unknown awaited. Anyway after having a look I decided against it, smaller bike and with someone, yes no problem, but on my own! Back up the road to the barrier it was.

On the 3114, Phu Kradueng National Park⁩, ⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩

Back on the normal road and heading to the Phu Kradueng National Park visitors centre on the 2019 for a look and a coffee.

Visitor Centre, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng National Park⁩⁩

A nicely brewed coffee

The visitors centre is good and it was very busy, Camping, hostel, showers and souvenirs etc. You can get on a trail and go to the top of Phu Kradueng and camp over night at the top. There are even sherpa's to carry stuff up to the top for you if you wish

Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng National Park - Wikipedia

Back on to the 2019 for a bit before a left on to the 3028

Wayne

 

[Wayne66]

A Day meandering in Isaan revisited 011224

Part 2

Once on the 3028 I was heading for a bit of a valley on the northern edge of Phu Kradueng mountain

The road started off really good smooth tarmac and then went to concrete laid in sections. But it was still nice to ride

On the 3028, ‎⁨Phu Kradueng⁩, ⁨Loei⁩⁩

Then the concrete road stopped and was replaced by a vehicle width track of dried mud with smoothed rocks and stones embedded in it. Lots of ruts. It was enjoyable but hard work on the 500x on stock tires. From this point on it was a mix of the hard mud and concrete road pretty much all the way to the 2216 affording some great views.

The road after the 3028, ‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩

Once on the 2216, a favorite of mine, I was back on the black top and going a little coffee shop I like.

On the 2216, ‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩⁩

The coffee shop is the one I stopped at on the first meander on the 16/08/24
Runjuan Coffee shop N16.72987 E101.74065 on the 2216 near Nam Nao

Runjuan Coffee shop on the 2216, ‎⁨Nam Nao⁩, ⁨Phetchabun⁩

Then it was time for the last 40/50km home

237km covered

Wayne

 

[DavidFL]

You've built up an incredible repertoire of local rides from Chumpae. Well done.

 

[Wayne66]

You've built up an incredible repertoire of local rides from Chumpae. Well done.

Cheers David