The 2016 8th Annual Tj John Hamilton-simon Siinthai Grant Mhs Memorial Ride

DavidFL

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Any people with a go pro are welcome to bring & use them for the ride, because as experienced participants know there is no time for stopping & taking photos along the way, except at designated stops = you gotta ride.
 

DavidFL

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TShirts
A small batch of TShirts will be printed in the next few days.
At the moment the sizes are
15 x XXL
10 x XL
2 x M
2 x S

The XXL size that the fat (100kg) guy like me wears is a nice loose fit.
I tried an XL & it is a tad tight.
If anyone wants one please let me know - especially a size not listed above.
The price = 450 baht each.

The T-Shirts are grey with black screen printing.

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Sorry guys no 3XL or 4XL.
I tried.
 

DavidFL

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Edging closer folks
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We have a full on traditional Shan temple ceremony organized for the Sunday.
Starting at 7am with 5 monks then 9 monks for the ceremony at 9am.
There will be people on Shan costume joining us.
On the Saturday afternoon we also sign a condolence book for King at the government offices.
For riders who want a MHS loop certificate please supply your details to George at the Sunflower on Saturday afternoon. He will arrange a certificate for you.
We would like collect donations for the chedi ready to handover in MHS on Saturday afternoon.
There will be a buffet dinner Saturday night + breakfast at the Sunflower on the Sunday morning (between ceremonies). Donations should include chedi + 2 buffet meals - whatever you feel is appropriate. Any surplus funds will be given to the temple Wat Doi Kong Mou.

More coming when I return from Mae Hong Son, but we have a 5-star event organised that is only fitting to show our appreciation to the Jao Wat of MHS + the people of MHS who have worked hard to assist organise this special event & memorial.
 
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DavidFL

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Update 1st November
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We will have a detailed program ready Friday at the latest.
Everything seems to be falling into place.
A rough outline....basically there are two parts. One by the lake at Wat Chong Klang & two up on the hill at Wat Doi Kong Mou.

The first ceremony starts at 7am Sunday
to move the ashes from Wat Chong Klang.
This involves a parade (of us) with monks & some Shan people in full costume taking offerings for the deceased to Wat Chong Klang.
The parade starts from the Sunflower & walks down the street a very short distance to Wat Chong Klang.

Then at 8am a quick breakfast. at the Sunflower.
Breakfast is at the Sunflower, but supplied by dear Nang at the Salween so she is not missing out & we still get to enjoy some of her good food.

After breakfast we are taken in pick ups to Wat Doi Kong Mou - no group motorbikes as it is too noisy for the wat.

The second part starts at 9AM
at Wat Doi Kong Mou.
There are two ceremonies. The first one at the main sala, then we walk with the monks & our entourage to the actual chedi where another short ceremony is conducted, blessing the chedi & placing the ashes in the chedi.
After the monks are fed & you are "free to go."
We have inaugurated our own farang chedi on top of Doi Kong Mou, Mae Hong Son!

We are extremely luck to have been given - free - the plot of land at Doi Kong Mou, by the abbot, who is also the Jao Wat - head of the Buddhist clergy in MHS province.
He likes the idea of what we are doing.
The Master Of Ceremonies we have is 80 years old & the most respected person for these religious ceremonies in MHS.
Out of respect to them & to show our appreciation of there generosity we wish to make sure we conduct very respectful traditional ceremonies, to make merit.
This will be a once in a lifetime experience. We may put more ashes in the chedi, but we won't be building another or moving ashes from one wat to another.
AND we get to participate in the actual ceremonies & parade.

Saturday
On Saturday when we arrive in Mae Hong Son we will sign a condolence book for the King of Thailand, at the sala klang government offices.
Then check into our hotels & met up at the Sunflower.
We will be given black ribbons to wear for the ceremonies in MHS.
There is no live music in MHS at the moment, so it will be a subdued evening in MHS.
WE have a buffet dinner organized at the Sunflower.
It is also important not to party & over do it in MHS because we need to be at the wat at 7am for the first ceremonies.
5 people will be required to carry offerings & ceremonial belongings of the deceased in the parade to the Wat.
We want all the bikes lined - parked - outside the Sunflower for the start of the mornings ceremonies & a photo session.
This year won't be a party memorial ride; next year will be, but this year's event is one to remember & once in a lifetime.
MHS TV will be present Saturday evening & Sunday morning for the ceremonies.
We also have one important travel write & author joining us & participating in the ceremonies.

Departure time from Chiang Mai will more than likely be moved forward.
More coming in the next day or two.

T-Shirts should be ready Thursday.
Book one if you want one
15 x XXL
10 x XL
2 x M
2 x S
450 baht for the big ones - XXL / XL.
Cheaper for the little ones - price still coming.
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DavidFL

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Important Update - Regarding Departure & Travel Plans
Due to the overwhelming response of people – we are now out 36 bikes – it is not realistic to all meet up & start from the Kafe in town.
There are issues with space & safety in peak hour traffic to be considered.
So…..

New Meet Up / Starting Point
The new rendezvous place to meet up & depart from is the PTT Nam Phrae,
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It is on the canal road south of the Ton Kwain intersection R121 / R1269, the road to Samoeng.

Location & GPS Waypoint is N18 40.326 E98 53.254
Heading south along the canal road it is
12 kms south of the middle ring road R3029
8.2 kms south of the Ton Kwain R1269 intersection
2.0 kms south of the Ob Khan Nat Park turn off
Meeting Time 8.30AM

Safety
The other issue we have had to consider with a big group is rider / group safety.
With 36 riders in a convoy it could be considered a road hazard & certainly the steep descent into Mae Chaem on R1192 from Doi Inthanon a police escort would be advisable.
We therefore want to break up into smaller groups & to ride at their own safety level.
There are only two designated stops (1) Lunch in Mae Chaem & (2) the PTT in Mae Hong Son.
At the start we want groups of riders to depart at 10 minute intervals from the PTT Nam Phrae.
The first riders set off at 9AM.

Doi Inthanon National Park
Entry into the park is 300 baht if you go to the top.
If you tell the officials at the park gate that you are going to Mae Chaem & Mae Hong Son, there should be no fee.
At the checkpoint to the turn off to Mae Chaem, they will check your ticket.
No park fee you must turn left & go to Mae Chaem, but if you go up to the top, then you have to pay 300 baht.

Lunch
The designated lunch spot in Mae Chaem is the Mae Chaem food centre.

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The same as previous years.

The Location & GPS Waypoint is: N18 29.987 E98 21.777
Going into town from Doi Inthanon it is on the right hand side, in a soi alongside the Thai Farmers bank, 100 metres after the PTT gas station.
Go down the soi into the food centre & the shop is the one on the left - Suki Lung Mor.
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The advantage of this place is ample parking space + close proximity to the PTT gas station for fuel & a toilet.

Those of you who know the Mae Chaem Food Centre from previous rides will know that they could not possibly cope taking orders & serving food to a large group.
We have made arrangements here for a simple buffet lunch, so that the Suki Lung Mor can handle with the volume.
They will have food ready from 11.45AM & will prepare 3 dishes
1. Fried Rice with Pork
2. Fried Noodle (Phat Siew) with chicken.
3. Fried Mixed vegetables.
Please yourself what you eat.
The cost is 50 baht each. You must pay the restaurant 50 baht + whatever for drinks that you have.

Mae Chaem to Khun Yuam / Mae Hong Son
After Mae Chaem proceed to Mae Hong Son via Khun Yuam.
But please note that you should ride at fast pace. There is little or no time for photos!

Mae Chaem to MHS is 161 kms / 2.5 hours fast riding.
Get away from Mae Chaem late by 1PM & your MHS Eta is 3.30PM at the earliest.

Suggested drink stop
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69 kms from Mae Chaem is Pang Kia, a small Hmong village.
GPS Waypoint: N18 47.270 E98 09.266
This is about 1 hour fast riding from Mae Chaem & is a good place for a quick drink.

From Pang Kia to MHS is 93 kms. About 1.5 hrs fast riding.
Pang Kia to R108 / Khun Yuam = 28.5 kms / 30 minutes fast riding.
From R108 / Khun Yuam to MHS is 65 kms = 1 hr fast riding.

Please note that around Pang Kia the asphalt is a bit bumpy & patchy for about 6-7 kms.

The first ETAs in Mae Hong Son should hopefully, be around 3.30PM.

Mae Hong Son
In Mae Hong Son the rendezvous meet up point is the PTT gas station on the south side of town.
It is on the left hand side heading into town.
GPS Waypoint: N19 17.609 E97 57.868
There are toilets & a 7-11 here.
Everyone must wait here on arrival.
Don’t go wandering off, because once we are all together we ride as a group to the government sala klang offices which are 600 metres south of / before the PTT.
At the government sala klang offices we sign the condolence book for the King of Thailand.
After the signing we go to our accommodation & meet up at the Sunflower for happy hour.
We have a buffet dinner prepared at the Sunflower.
Please join in at the Sunflower, because there will be a final briefing on activities for Sunday.
There should also be some media present at the Sunflower.

Those of you who have GTR shirts, especially the memorial Tshirt – please wear them on Sunday.
Black shirts are appropriate for Saturday & signing of the condolence book for the King.

Donations
We will collect donations for the chedi & merit making ceremonies on Saturday at the PTT.
You may donate whatever you wish or are comfortable with.
This is a unique event –“once in a life time.”
We have been given land in a prime location for our own GTR chedi.
The Jao Wat / abbot of Doi Kong Mou has been most gracious in permitting this & we will be showing our appreciation by conducting proper traditional, spiritual, Buddhist religious ceremonies at the two temples to show our full respect for their generosity. All of this has taken considerable time, effort & organization. We trust that donors will appreciate the effort & costs involved conducting the ceremonies plus the chedi construction.

Thank you & apologies for the change of plans.
 
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DavidFL

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If you want a certificate for riding to Mae Hong Son on the road of 1864 curves please give us your full name.
We will arrange for them to be delivered on Sunday.
Thank you.
 
Jul 15, 2015
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I sent the details before.. But again to confirm for the certificates

Adrian Carter
Tessa Carter
Esther Mauger
Mark Stephenson
 

DavidFL

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A big thank you to everyone who turned up for the 2016 Ride & inauguration of the GTR Chedi.

We have a load of photos coming in a day or two from Phil the photographer who photographed everything in MHS for us so that we have a beautiful record of the ceremonies, people & event for posterity.

In the meantime...

32 bikes fronted up for the start
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Officially anointing the chedi
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The mega happy gang
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Thanks to everyone for making this a very special, memorable occasion
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The GTR Chedi view - joy, peace & tranquility
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more to come
 
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DavidFL

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On the steps of the MHS sala klang government offices, prior to signing the condolence book for the King of Thailand.
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"The Ambassador" Signing the good book
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a pic with the Vice-Governor of MHS Province.
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DavidFL

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T-Shirts should be ready Thursday.
Book one if you want one
15 x XXL
10 x XL
2 x M
2 x S
450 baht for the big ones - XXL / XL.
Cheaper for the little ones - price still coming.
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Tshirts for those who missed out but ordered & paid for one on in MHS, they have been ordered & should be delivered to Tony Big Bikes this week.
I will be in Laos & will be back in about 10 days.
 
Oct 11, 2009
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David
Thanks for a fantastic experience and as always very well organised , I really enjoyed meeting all the riders and found the service very moving .
Safe riding
Paul
 

DavidFL

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Tshirts for those who missed out but ordered & paid for one on in MHS, they have been ordered & should be delivered to Tony Big Bikes this week.
I will be in Laos & will be back in about 10 days.

Tshirts are ready to be picked up at Tony Big Bikes.
Peter XL
Paul XL
Keith XL
Andy XL being delivered by Pikey
Robert L
Reim L
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If anyone else is interested & wants a souvenir Tshirt from the ride please advise.
The cost is 400 baht.
 

DavidFL

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Finally catching up - back from Laos - apologies for the slow report.

With an extra large group for the ride this year it was decided to break the group up into smaller groups in the interests of safety & a more relaxed pace.
The route was the same but the starting point was the PTT on the canal road south of the Ton Kwain intersection R121 / R1269, the road to Samoeng.
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Riders set off in small groups roughly 5-10 minutes apart & were able to travel at their own pace.
There was no frantic pace to keep up to the faster riders in a long convoy & invite trouble.
The only official rendezvous point was lunch in Mae Chaem at the local food centre, where a simple buffet lunch was available.
Then another suggested drink stop at Pang Kia the Hmong village on R1263. ! hour from Mae Chaem / 30 minutes from Khun Yuam.
If anyone has any photos from lunch or the drink stop, please post them.
 

DavidFL

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We then officially rendezvoused & regrouped in Mae Hong Son outside the PT gas station for an official ride to the government sala klang offices to sign the condolence book for the King of Thailand.
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Phil the photographer hooked up with us here & was able to get some nice photos - many thanks Phil for volunteering your services.
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The Vice governor of MHS with some guys
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Guys & gals signing the condolence book
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DavidFL

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Night time was a "quiet" night at the Sunflower with a buffet meal.
Quiet because the next day it was an early rise at 6.15AM to be organized for Buddhist ceremonies to start at 7AM at Wat Chong Klang.
However some of us still managed to hut the Crossroads Pub too.

Some photos from the Sunflower

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A nice cool evening with a wonderful group of people.
 

DavidFL

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Preparing offerings for the morning ceremony to move the ashes from Wat Chong Klang
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The respected master of ceremonies making sure it's all correct
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Getting the low down on what to do & how to behave
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DavidFL

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Shock & awe at first light the next morning most people were gathered outside the Sunflower on time ready to go.
Did that ever feel good too I can tell you.
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3 cheers for everyone who came & participated so early!
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And it was an early start for some.
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We had our own small parade to the wat, lead by the closest friends of the deceased, with offerings for them & the monks at the wat after the ceremony.
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Gathered for the ceremony to dig up the ashes up TJ, Simon & Dan
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offering were placed on the ground in front of the plaques / graves
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The ceremony gets under way
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A clod of earth or ashes from under the bushes planted in honour of our earlier departed mates.
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The next stage was to pay respect to the monks who conducted the ceremony & make some merit.

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Alamo

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We then officially rendezvoused & regrouped in Mae Hong Son outside the PT gas station for an official ride to the government sala klang offices to sign the condolence book for the King of Thailand.
IMG_9253.jpg

Phil the photographer hooked up with us here & was able to get some nice photos - many thanks Phil for volunteering your services.
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The Vice governor of MHS with some guys
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Guys & gals signing the condolence book
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Everyone wearing black.
Nice & respectful.
 

DavidFL

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Breakfast was taken at the Sunflower after the first ceremonies at Wat Chiang Klang by the lake.
Then it was in pick ups to Wat Doi Kong Mou on the hill over looking Mae Hong Son.

This was the main ceremony with 9 monks.
This ceremony was conducted seated, so that us fragile riders did not have to endure kneeling on the floor.

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Liam & I go the show underway

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Donating cloth to the monks
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the master of ceremonies woke everyone up from their spiritual reverie with a powerful ring on the bell.
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