The Steepest Roads

[DavidFL]

Must be about time to put all these together in 1 thread. I thought there was one already, but can't see it right now.

Pha Bur R1334

The Pha Bur road is a hidden gem of a steep twister of a road. It is difficult to get photos in there & we had a crack at it this arvo.
Some vdo & a bit of drone fotage should be coming. But I do realise I need to go back again & spend a day out there.....any takers

How the profile looks as a 270 kms loop from my house in Chiang Khong.

Moto Rex has ridden this & posted some vdo here

Northern Thailand Motorcycle Ride Taking In Choui Fong Tea Plantation And Doi Tung.

Northern Thailand motorcycle ride taking in Choui Fong Tea Plantation and Doi Tung. This was another great day ride out of Chiang Rai taking in Choui Fong Tea Plantations, Doi Tung, and the twittiest, steepest roads I’ve ridden on. The way. Head north out of Chaing Rai, then turn left at hwy...

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See also

Northern Thailand Motorcycle Ride Taking In Choui Fong Tea Plantation And Doi Tung.

Northern Thailand motorcycle ride taking in Choui Fong Tea Plantation and Doi Tung. This was another great day ride out of Chiang Rai taking in Choui Fong Tea Plantations, Doi Tung, and the twittiest, steepest roads I’ve ridden on. The way. Head north out of Chaing Rai, then turn left at hwy...

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More to come.....

 

[theWTD]

I did this road last Thursday/Friday R1334-R1378. The switchbacks are something else on R1334, the steepest I've ever seen. I had to do them both ways the first time as I'd planned to take R1378 to Doi Mae Salong but it was around 5pm when I hit it, and as the MotoRex photos show,. its a bit loose and I didn't think it was a good idea with darkness approaching. So I got a night by Doi Tung and did it the next day, quite an epic journey! And had another run through the switchbacks.

Like everyone said 'it's hard to photograph.

Rode the Big Dipper a few days later, it really pales in comparison to the 1334 I think! Also took a quick detour on the 4029 on my way up to Chiang Khong (The sign said "Viewpoint 15km!" I couldn't resist) that I think was steeper than the Big Dipper and more enjoyable.

Here's to the steepies!

 

[DavidFL]

I did this road last Thursday/Friday R1334-R1378. The switchbacks are something else on R1334, the steepest I've ever seen. I had to do them both ways the first time as I'd planned to take R1378 to Doi Mae Salong but it was around 5pm when I hit it, and as the MotoRex photos show,. its a bit loose and I didn't think it was a good idea with darkness approaching. So I got a night by Doi Tung and did it the next day, quite an epic journey! And had another run through the switchbacks.

Like everyone said 'it's hard to photograph.
View attachment 146008

Rode the Big Dipper a few days later, it really pales in comparison to the 1334 I think! Also took a quick detour on the 4029 on my way up to Chiang Khong (The sign said "Viewpoint 15km!" I couldn't resist) that I think was steeper than the Big Dipper and more enjoyable.

Here's to the steepies!

Oops I made a mistake the Pha Bur Road is R1334. Working to late. 55
The image & route # has been changed.
It links up with R1378 that runs down to R1130.

 

[DavidFL]

The drone clip from part of the Pha Bur switchbacks.


TQ Daniel @ Bike Tour Asia.

 

[DavidFL]

R4030, the Doi Phachi / Pha Chang / Santisuk road.

The trip & info

Doi Phachi & the ex communist HQ for Phayao - Khet 7

Doi Phachi / Santisuk is an old Hmong village way up in the mountains straddling the Nan / Phayao border. Once upon a time it was the Phayao HQs of area "Khet 7" of the communist in the battle for North Thailand. Like many other remote out of the way ethnic villages in the mountains it was...

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[DavidFL]

R4010 Na Muen - Phrae.

Some GTR Trip Reports with R4010

1024 Phrae into Nan A. Muang Li

I have been touring around the past few weeks. Sorry I don't have the photographic abilities of the Master Capt Slash. But I thought I might note a new paved road over the mountains from Phrae down into Nan Province following route 1024. I only had a 2007 edition of the blue northern Thailand...

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4010 - Not For The Faint Of Heart....

I'd heard whisperings about a scary steep road east of Phrae, so went to have a look I got on the 4010 from the eastern end at Na Meun, south of Na Noi in Nan. All looks normal enough... Fantastic Nan roads. I watched this guy lead his buffalo across the stream. The baby on the bank was...

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Anti-clockwise Loop around the Sirikit dam and lake.

As a man who has only taken to riding around the North of Thailand purely for fun in the last 3 years it was quite easy to find new routes close to home. Now, with over 70,000kms under my belt I have started to look further away. Last years new year trip to Nan was memorable so this year i...

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Anti-clockwise Loop around the Sirikit dam and lake.

As a man who has only taken to riding around the North of Thailand purely for fun in the last 3 years it was quite easy to find new routes close to home. Now, with over 70,000kms under my belt I have started to look further away. Last years new year trip to Nan was memorable so this year i...

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My Gtr Dinner Trip - Chiang Khong - Na Noi Return

A Ride to the last Wednesday end of the month GTR Up-country Dinner. A bit of an epic ride this one - a return trip of 1,350 kms, but all good fun. The way Chiang Khong - Chiang Kham - Pong - Chiang Muan - Ban Luang - Wiang Sa - Na Noi - Chiang Mai - Chiang Khong. Routes 1021 - 1148 - 1179 -...

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[DavidFL]

R4009 the Nong Khiew road, Mae Hong Son

On GTR here:

Why We Must Ride The 4009!

It was a chilly morning when I left, but the white silk scarf prevented draughts. It was clear up to Kiu Satai but foggy on the west side of the mountains By midday I was on the 1346 to Phrao, always a pleasure. My dream touring bike Went to have a look at the hot springs in Phrao...

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Could This Be The Best Small Gem Route in Northern Thailand?

Well, we all have a different idea of what makes a road wonderful and when people talk about the best roads/routes in Northern Thailand there are popular ones that spring to mind (such as Nan, Mae Hong Son Loop, The Golden Triangle). All are fantastic of course! But personally I love the...

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The Guardians Of The Galaxy Ride! ( Mhs & Bua Tong Sunflower Fields)

Yes, ok, a rather odd title, but will all become clear as to why soon ^^ This ride was initially a ride out for the annual GT.Rider Memorial Ride, a ride which commemorates GT.Rider.com fallen riders. Although obviously most of you know, here is a link to the background on what GT.Rider is...

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Beer Belly Buddies Tour Of The North

I recently got back from my latest 7 night tour of the North of Thailand. This is something I aim to do every 8 weeks or so. I've been living in Isaan for the last 11 years and never tire of riding in the North. There's always a new road or track to discover and the changes of season, routes and...

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[Dodraugen]

I came over the Sirikit dam in the dark once and had the GPS set to shortest distance back to Lampang. My GF was pillion. And we ended up on the 4010 of course and in pitch darkness.
The lightbulb on the Crf headlights was shot - but luckily I had a set of foglights installed. It still was a quite nervewrecking experience to ride the 4010 in darkness with just a set of foglights working and a pillion on the rear of my Crf….

I will not forget that night easily….

 

[DavidFL]

Singapore Road

Links up R1155 & R4029 / R1093 the Doi Pha Tang - Phu Chi Fah Road.

Like all good steep twisting roads, it is not easy to get great photos of the steepness.

See also

The Sensational Steep Huai Kuk - Pha Tang Loop - Singapore Road

Wandering around the mountains with Lan & the CP Crew from Chiang Mai we split at Pha Tang, they headed along the ridge line towards Phu Chiu Fah & onward; my time was up, time to head back to Chiang Khong. Starting down the big hill I spotted what looked like a nice spanking new concrete road...

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Chiang Khong - The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route

The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route is a one day trip I’ve been looking to piece together for over a year since I discovered a couple of new roads out on the Laos border, south of Chiang Khong. Most people know about R1093 & ride that road along the Laos border, getting on or off at Chiang...

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[Ughetto]

Around Phuchifa yesterday

1155

i am not very good about explain like David at this intersection I get This street

Another intersection I don t know if the name is correct where I am going
Phu Pha Pee 1630 mt altitude

Continue direction Doi Pha Tang and Singapore road

 

[DavidFL]

Doi Ang Khang R1249

Some GTR Trip Report with R1249 Doi Ang Khang

1249 & 1340 Doi Ang Khang

What a great ride up and down from Doi Ang Khang. As i had a day to have some fun and explore new routes for me between North of Chiang Rai down to Chiang Mai. I decided to have a look at the 1249. Excellent road and condition. First time ive seen a campsite in Thailand where i definitely...

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R1249 The Doi Ang Khang Road Closed - & Re-opened

Due to heavy rainfall & a landslip a couple of weeks ago the main Doi Ang Khang road has been closed for repairs. when it reopens could be awhile. ปิดทางขึ้นดอยอ่างขาง เนื่องจากดินทรุดตัว - Workpoint News The other way to Doi Ang Khang is via the "back way & the Burma border" R1340 from...

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The Doi Ang Khang Loop

Mon 27- Tues 28 April 2003. ROUTES: 107 – 1178 – 1340 – Doi Ang Khang - Nor Lae – Fang – Chiang Mai. Total distance: 350 kms. ALL asphalt. Weather is HOT. A respectable 10.00 am start after breakfast at the Bier Stube, with mate & BMW GS1150 rider Robert & girlfriend Nang. With the girlfriends...

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Riding the Thai - Burma border. Ang Kang, Tham Ngop and the KMT.

A week ago I received a history page taken from the internet outlining the life in Thailand of General Lee Winhuan, commander of the 3rd Army of the Kuo Min Tang. Mr Unkovitch was asking had I been to these places, what did I know and would I care to take a look? The page sent was sub-headed...

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North Thailand Top Ten Roads

From Northern Thailand favorite roads? what is your favourite road in North Thailand. The list to select from "TOP TEN" FAVOURITE ROADS IN NORTH THAILAND 1. R1148 Chiang Kham - Tha Wang Pha 2. R1091 Chiang Muan - Nan 3. R1256 Doi Phukha Pua - Bo Klua. 4. R1081 Bo Klua - R1169 5. R1080 Nan -...

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R1249 The Doi Ang Khang Road

MAY 1993 & its raining. On the road with some Swiss Bankers. Check out the various multi coloured riding gear of the day! On the left, Joe from Joe's Bike Team The Ang Khang road was under construction for road widening & better asphalt. Not every vehicle could get up in the slippery...

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[DavidFL]

The Nor Lae Road, the Doi Ang Khang short cut to Nong Tao / Fang.
A killer road if it ever was!

This road is in a sensitive area & is not always open.

The road in 2005

The road in 2009

The road in 2021

The road in 1994

Some GTR Reports with the Nor Lae Road

Riding the Thai - Burma border. Ang Kang, Tham Ngop and the KMT.

A week ago I received a history page taken from the internet outlining the life in Thailand of General Lee Winhuan, commander of the 3rd Army of the Kuo Min Tang. Mr Unkovitch was asking had I been to these places, what did I know and would I care to take a look? The page sent was sub-headed...

www.gt-rider.com

Doi Ang Khang by mistake, via Nong Tao.

Not good at sitting around for too long I had shopping that needed a visit to Fang Lotus and thought I would incorporate a little trip just to get out the house for a few hours. When I was riding around Fang on my way to my wifes village in Tha Ton 30 years ago the area to the west of Fang...

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The Doi Ang Khang - Nor Lae - Nong Tao - Fang Road

The DAK - Nor Lae - Nong Tao "road" is arguably the steepest & most spectacular in North Thailand. The steep bit basically runs from Nor Lae to the Doi Phahompok back road turn off just before Nong Tao, a distance of 6.3 kms. Nor Lae is a beautiful Palong village, sitting right on the...

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Army On The 107 Road Side Loop

FOR INFORMATION Today i ride from Chiang Rai to Fang area. Just after the white buddha in the mountain the 1089 road change to the 107. The 107 make a small loop just the after the river and i tried this one. It is an interesting loop but i was not able to complete. A soldier handling a big gun...

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The Doi Ang Khang Loop

Mon 27- Tues 28 April 2003. ROUTES: 107 – 1178 – 1340 – Doi Ang Khang - Nor Lae – Fang – Chiang Mai. Total distance: 350 kms. ALL asphalt. Weather is HOT. A respectable 10.00 am start after breakfast at the Bier Stube, with mate & BMW GS1150 rider Robert & girlfriend Nang. With the girlfriends...

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From Doi Ang Khan along the Burmese border to Mae Ai but not all the way...

We were in Doi Ang Khan recently and spotted a paved road going along the Burmese border all the way to Mae Ai. Leaving from Doi Angkhan village you take the main road out passing the botanical garden on your left side, the road starts to wind up passing a nice resort also on the left hand side...

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Part 2 Doi Salong to Doi Ang Khang

Day 3 After a great breakfast from Shin Sane we headed off towards Doi Ang Khan. This was the day I was looking forward to the most. After discovering GT-Rider while back in Australia and reading the reports I couldn’t wait to get back and travel the road around the border. It was a really...

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[DavidFL]

Around Phuchifa yesterday

1155

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i am not very good about explain like David at this intersection I get This street

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Another intersection I don t know if the name is correct where I am going
Phu Pha Pee 1630 mt altitude

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Continue direction Doi Pha Tang and Singapore road

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Excellent I've never been up this one

I will have to lift my game.

Was this the Nong Tao road you did?

Ban Huai Han School ศูนย์พัฒนาเด็กเล็กบ้านห้วยหาน · 162 หมู่ 9 Po, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai 57310, Thailand

★★★☆☆ · Education

goo.gl

I think maybe Ian Yonok has done it too, but I can't find a trip report for it.

 

[DavidFL]

R4052 The Hua Mae Kham Road

Some GTR trip Reports with R4052 the Hua Mae Kham road

A couple of days in, and around Thoed Thai.

About 3 weeks ago I received a message from David GTR to ask if I wanted to join him on a ride up to Doi Mae Salong, and Thoed Thai. I had only been to Thoed Thai once before, and hadn’t overnighted there, so I readily agreed. A time and place was agreed and I set off from Phayao for a very...

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Riding the Mae Kham River

The Mae Kham river runs from Hua Mae Kham, in the top north-west ear above Thoed Thai into the Mekong by Wat Phrathat Pa Ngao, 4 kms downstream from Chiang Saen. The view from Wat Phrathat Pa Ngao On the Khong at Sob Kham village, just below the temple You can ride right along the...

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Hill Tribe Culture Festival - Doi Hua Mae Kham: Part 1

Tribal Culture Festival - Doi Hua Mae Kham - 13th November 2010 Doi Hua Mae Kham is one of the largest mixed hill-tribe villages in Thailand. There are Akha, Lahu, Lisu and Yao, plus Hmong and Tai Yai residents. Located in the north-western extremity of Chiang Rai province, some 30 kms west...

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Prince of Death Road Trip-Khun Sa Memorial

Chiang Mai –Thoed Thai November 7,2007 Route: 107-1089-3051 David Unkovich, Honda Africa Twin 750 David Early, Suzuki DR650 Photos by:GT_Rider / Silver Hawk Khun Sa died in Burma on 26 October 2007. If you don’t know who Khun Sa is, then you are missing out on many of the legends and...

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2011 Sunflower Hill Tribe Festival. Hua Mae Kham.

Another brilliant ride & photo journey, although I did not quite get all the photos I was after. The ride started at 10.40am from the X-Centre & went straight to Doi Mae Salong. It was a quiet night & up at dawn for the DMS sunrise & morning market. The morning market it was early...

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Thoed Thai, the yellow flowers and 2014 Shan New Year

Exerpt: Luck, more than programming, brought me to Thoed Thai, just in time for the 2014 Shan New Year. A week after the Mexican sunflowers festival, the region was one of Northern Thailand’s most attractive touring destinations. Thoed Thai, the yellow flowers and 2014 Shan New Year. New year...

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[Ughetto]

Yes David the road start from Nong Tao
and can see very well coming from 1155 and arrive between Phuchifa and Doi Pha Tang.
Also for me was first time I do it.
If I will use gps if my girlfriend let me know where my maps of gt rider are
and if my computer write not thai language
may be will be more easy to explain.
I will try to organize better for the future.

Doi Hua Mae Kham
In the past 15 years ago i sleep in national park more hight than last town
also recently I try to go there
but I cannot found anymore the way off road.

Nice post compliment

 

[DavidFL]

The Lao U Road - Rom Pho Sai.

An amazing steep 7.6 kms climb.

A tight difficult road to get pics on.

The Lao U road on GTR

A short GT Loop

RIDERS & BIKES 1. The SEO guy & Kawasaki Vulcan 400 2. David Unk & Honda Africa Twin 750. Why: for a visa run, plus a ride along the Laos border. THE WAY Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai - Mae Sai. Routes 118 - 1 Mae Sai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Saen – Chiang Khong – Phu Chi Fah – Thoeng – Chiang...

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Doi Pha Tang - a meander. Chiang Mai - Chiang Kham - Chiang Khong return.

Inspired by both Ian Yonok's post on Pha Tang & Phu Chi Fah Phu Chee Fah after the haze and Hell Bobs Pix North Thailand, 4000km Motorbike Round Trip 2013 a weekend explorer was called for. The Riders: Brian Bkk on his Versys. Moto-Rex on his trusty indestructible KLX250. David Unk on...

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The Lao U Road - Sensational, Excitement Plus.

One of the joys of Chiang Khong is riding the Lao Border & roads R1155 & R1093, with the magnificent roads of Pha Tang Phu Chi Fah Singapore Road Huai Laeng The Big Dipper and then there's the little known Lao U Road....but where is Lao U.... 80 kms down R1155 from Chiang Khong is the small...

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Chiang Khong - The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route

The Great Roller Coaster Ride & Route is a one day trip I’ve been looking to piece together for over a year since I discovered a couple of new roads out on the Laos border, south of Chiang Khong. Most people know about R1093 & ride that road along the Laos border, getting on or off at Chiang...

www.gt-rider.com

 

[DavidFL]

R2331 the Phu Hin Rongkla / Phu Ta Boek road.

Why Phu Hin Rong Kla is so special....

PHU HIN RONGKLA
From 1968 to 1972, Phu Hin Rong Kla was a major stronghold of the communists in their battle with the Thai government.
In 1970 there were 31 wooden houses built in the camp HQs. After the 6th October 1976 uprising, many students and intellectuals fled the right-wing government purges in the Bangkok to hide in Phu Hin Rongkla. The PHR camp was used to educate the new recruits in communist ideology.
In 1982 combined governments force from the army, air force, navy & KMT troops attacked the Phu Hin Rongkla communist stronghold. They were not victorious, & supposedly defeated because of the rugged terrain & dense forest. In the battle massive damage was caused to the environment & wildlife (as you’d expect in a war).
According to
http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/st ... id=86&lg=2
Much of the forest was damaged and much of the wildlife was killed or fled to safer areas. Remaining wildlife includes tigers, leopards, Asiatic Black Bears, wild boar, fox, monkeys, leopard cats, wild hare and many bird species.
I’m not sure about the big cats still though! But it must have been good up there in those earlier years.

After the defeat in 82, with a fresh “hearts & minds” policy, plus amnesty, the area was won over by the government; & a road was soon built up onto the mountain and in 1984 it was declared a national park.

From
http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/st ... action.asp
Highlights of Phu Hin Rongkla include
• Lan Hin Pum, field of nodulated stone, whose lumps are roughly equal in size. It is believed that this formation resulted from physical and chemical erosion. Patients from the hospital suffering from fever would use the area as a rest spot, as a cool breeze blows over the area almost continuously.
• Pha Chu Thong where CPT cadres would hoist a red flag every time their forces defeated government troops in a battle or skirmish.
• Lan Hin Taek, (Broken Rock Field). Along the path, growing in rock crevices are various plant species, including mosses, ferns and ground orchids. The crevices, arranged in rough rows, seem to have come from the earth splitting. Peering into their depths can be eerie. Some crevices are narrow enough to jump across; others are wider. From several can be heard loud echoing of running water. The crevices were perhaps important to the communists, as they could have been used for hiding.
• Surviving wooden building structures
o Office for administrative staff,
o A printing press
o Communications centre.
• Bunkers & air raid shelter

Phu Hin Rongkla has featured on GT Rider here

Phu Hin Rongkla: The most spectacular ride road?

1992 a run to Phu Hin Rongkla National Park. The scenery & roads are spectacular, the best I've seen outside North Thailand! Photos above: German Joe from Joes Bike Team & his old Kawasaki 750 Eliminator. That totally amazing spectacular road It was a motley crew and a half...

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Dan Sai (Phi Ta Khon Festival) return. 13-17 June.

Dan Sai (Phi Ta Khon Festival) return. 13-17 June. « on: Jun 18th, 2002, 2:05pm » Quote Modify Remove -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE TRIP Chiang Mai - Lampang - Den Chai - Uttaradit - Chat Trakarn - Nakhon Thai - Dan Sai. Routes # 11...

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Chiang Mai - Dan Sai / Phi Ta Khon 2010 Return

THE WAY: Chiang Mai - Lampang - Uttaradit - Chat Trakarn - Nakhon Thai - Dan Sai. ROUTES: 11 - 12 - 1246 - 1143 - 2013 5 NIGHTS 6 DAYS. 2 nights Dan Sai. 2 nights Loei. 1 night Uttaradit. DATES: 11 - 16 June 2010. THE WAY DOWN: Got away from the super at 10.30AM in perfect dry weather. It...

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Ride Report Pita Koon 6-26-to 6-29-2009

GT Riders trip up North Finale

A Ride To Phu Thap Boek, Loei.

Compiled this short video of our bike ride to Phu Thap Boek. We took highway 21 from Bangkok and got on to 2331. Excellent views and lots of switchbacks on the way up. And on the way back we came via Phitsanulok thru the national park. Thoroughly enjoyed riding 2331, thanks to Goran for his...

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North Thailand Top Ten Roads

The Rak Thai Road R4001 from Mae Hong Son also one of the steepest roads on the MHS Loop The steep section coming up out of the valley after Pha Sua waterfall The Rak Thai road has featured on GTR here Wet season: pottering around the Mae Hong Son Loop Mae Hong Son Music Festival, May...

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Chiang Mai to Udon on Secondary Roads

107, 109, 1211, 1020, 1292, 1186, 1148, 1097, 10080, 1081, 1225, 1243- Dead End, 1162, 1026- Back tracked, no Ferry, 1083, 1241, 1268, 2195, 211, 212, 2267, 2230, 2096, 2350, 2025, 2, 2, 210, 2250, 2016, 2216, 203, 2005, 2331, 1143, 1246, 11. 11 Nights on the road. Cities visited overnight...

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Ride from Khon Kaen via Loei, Chiang Khan, Nong Khai, Saknon Nakhon and back to Khon

Hi I am planning a ride for the 29th and 30th of october which will is in one week if there is any one that would like to join me for this ride you are all welcome please see the link for the route via google maps...

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Check it out. It's one of the most, if not the most, spectacular rides you can do.
The history of the place makes this ride special!

 

[DavidFL]

Nan - R1333 The Huay Lom / Huay Chanin Road

Above: on the left is the "high start" from 1257 & on the right is the "low finish" at R1081.


An wild, out of the way ride, through old communist country, linking up R1257 & R1081.

Huay Lom / Huay Chanin to fame was the boob tax that started a rebellion against the government in 1962.

Despite being extremely poor, the Lua from the period around 1957 (2500 BE) were the most heavily taxed by Thai officials, often arbitrarily. These taxes included:
a stump tax, collected following the clearing of forest plots for agricultural cultivation;
an electricity pole tax, collected for the purpose of bringing electricity to the lowland areas;
a flashlight tax and flashlight battery tax, collected from any household caught purchasing a flashlight battery or using a flashlight;
a cold season tax, collected after villagers had collected wood for fires and making other preparations for the cold season;
an alcohol tax, collected after alcohol had been fermented;
a breast tax or flabby breast tax, collected from breastfeeding mothers. Those with longer breasts were taxed more than those with shorter breasts. It was a tax that caused tremendous resentment among the villagers. They would say, “Shorter breasts (small breasts) are taxed low while longer breasts (larger breasts) are taxed high. They would insult our women this much!” (from the research of Dr. Cholthira Satyawadhna in the book The Lua of Nan…)
In reality, there were many more annoying little taxes as well. These taxes were not collected from the lowland Mueang peoples, but deliberately collected only from the poor, marginalized, and uneducated upland peoples.

The Rebel Phi Boon of Huay Chanin Village
Other than the illegal tax collection described, there was still the problem of the killing of villagers’ pigs and chickens and the regular harassment of women. The villagers had to endure this miserable state for a while. Eventually, a village called Huay Chanin (after relocation several times - presently called Huay Lom Village, Amphoe Bo Kluea) tried to find a solution to their problem by consulting a holy man from Laos around the year 1962 (2505 BE). The holy man spoke of an ideal society, of divine intervention that would liberate all the Lua people from their current state of oppression. The leader of this fight was Ao Jong Wong (Po Yai Wong) from Huay Chanin Village. They tried to spread word of the uprising among different villages in the upland areas along the Lao border. Although the movement was based on superstition, it’s momentum would grow from a collective hatred for the illegal tax system, the mistreatment of women, and the forced labor imposed on the people. The holy man uprising spread widely in the uplands, bringing many from afar to join the movement. When news of the uprising reached the ears of the Thai officials, they sent armed forces to arrest Ao Jong Wong and his followers in 1965. Called the Phi Boon Rebellion by Thai officials, the uprising was crushed. Ao Jong Wong, himself, would eventually die in prison.

The Beginnings of the Stronghold
When the first armed military unit of the CPT reached Huay Chanin Village in 1968 (2511 BE), the first sight they witnessed was a village of only women and children with few to no men. The CPT learned that some men had been taken away in waves, some had died, and others imprisoned. After that, there was the case of a villager named Bo Rit. He had been taken away to be tortured by poison by Thai officials. Bo Rit didn’t die, but rather escaped and returned to Huay Chanin Village. As a result, the entire village was so fearful of the wrath of the state that they fled to the forest and sought refuge with the CPT comrades. This is how Huay Chanin Village became part of the stronghold in southern Nan, from which the movement would spread to surrounding areas.

See also

Phu Phayak & The Communist History Of Nan

Tucked away in the far top, north-east corner of Nan is the ex communist stronghold of Phu Phayak. Phu Phayak has featured on GTR here Return to Nan & back to the future? It took me a few goes over several years 2006, 2008, & finally 2010 to find Phu Phayak; after I first heard of it in a...

www.gt-rider.com

A brief Communist Chronology, Villages, Roads & Battles in North Thailand

In the early fifties there was no government presence in the rugged forests which form Thailand's northern border with Laos and Burma. The hill tribe people were ignored & left alone by the governments of the day to roam back and forth at will from Yunnan to Burma to Laos to Thailand. Left alone...

www.gt-rider.com

Communist Village & Natural Wonders Of Phayao...

..... plus a pretty tough dirt ride over the mountains. But it started with a search for a "Hanging Rock" at Bo Sipsong. North of Phayao is a ridge running roughly north-south. Access from the west is from a village road, east of highway 1. A brand new tarmac road in. Then came to a...

www.gt-rider.com

Doi Phachi & the ex communist HQ for Phayao - Khet 7

Doi Phachi / Santisuk is an old Hmong village way up in the mountains straddling the Nan / Phayao border. Once upon a time it was the Phayao HQs of area "Khet 7" of the communist in the battle for North Thailand. Like many other remote out of the way ethnic villages in the mountains it was...

www.gt-rider.com

 

[DavidFL]

R4001, the Rak Thai road.

Rak Thai is a Chinese KMT village situated on the Thai- Myanmar border, 45 kms north of Mae Hong Son city.

Once upon a time it was a mix of Hmong, Lahu & KMT peoples.
Nationalist KMT soldiers, who had retreated from China after losing their war against the communists, came to settle at Rak Thai in 1967.
The village was originally known as Mae Aw, but was renamed Rak Thai in 1983.

Ban Rak Thai · หมูà¹à¸à¹à¸²à¸à¸£à¸±à¸à¹à¸à¸¢à¹à¸¡à¹à¸®à¹à¸à¸à¸ªà¸à¸ Tambon Mok Cham Pae, à¹à¸¡à¸·à¸à¸ Mae Hong Son 58000, Thailand

âââââ · Tourist attraction

goo.gl

The road there is an amazing climb.

A ride to Rak Thai is one of the best things you can do on the Mae Hong Son Loop.

Rak Thai - Mae Aw - Mae Hong Son

Rak Thai or Mae Aw is a Chinese KMT village north of Mae Hong Son & situated right on the border with Myanmar. At an altitude of 1,100 metres is always cool & pleasant with some stunning scenery & light for photography. And only 44 kms from MHS it is one side trip you should do from Mae Hong...

www.gt-rider.com

Rak Thai has featured on GTR many times before

Wet season: pottering around the Mae Hong Son Loop

The North West End Tours of Thailand, Part 01

North Thailand Great Views 2010

Puppies, Pandas, and Pumpkin soup. Wet season in the North.

Tham Ngop and a MHS loop

GT Rider on Destination Thailand TV

 

[mikerust]

May we add R6040 a 16km in and out road past "The Coffee Village" west of Mae Chai, to Chareon Rat School. The hill/road is the nemesis of 1st gear Wolgang formerly known simply as Wolfgang. 1st gear is too much, 2nd gear is not enough. The Phayao geriatric scooter group doesn't want to go up there again.

Sorry, I don't know how to do all the fancy graphics.

 

[DavidFL]

R1130 - R1234 the Doi Mae Salong Road

Doi Mae Salong is a renowned Chinese KMT settlement near the Myanmar border, N-W of Chiang Rai city.

Doi Mae Salong · Mae Salong Nok, Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai 57110, Thailand

âââââ · Mountain peak

maps.app.goo.gl

There are a couple of roads there
1. The main road from Mae Chan R1130 / R1234.
2. The "back way" from Kiu Sataa / Tha Ton R1089.
Both these roads are stunners for great biking.

Elevation profile of the main road R1130 / R1234 from Mae Chan.

Elevation profile of the "back way" from Tha Ton / Kiu Sataa.

The big picture from Mae Chan the front way to Tha Ton via R1130 / R1234 / R1089

How the front way R1130 looks in Google Earth.

In Mae Salong city the water gushes down the steep roads in the wet season!

The back way from Kiu Sataa - DMS in Google Earth

Some pics of the back way Kiu - Sataa - Doi Mae Salong

And I reckon I need to go get some more riding pics on these two great roads.

See also

What's That Route Number - R1130 & The Mystery Of The Doi Mae Salong Routes.

The constant upgrading of roads in the North over the last few decades has often had people, myself included, confused on what the exact route numbers are for planning your trips. The Chiang Saen - Chiang Khong road is a nice example. It used to be R1129, now it's R1290. But back to Doi...

www.gt-rider.com

Doi Mae Salong

How the 93rd KMT Regiment found a new home… Led by General Tuan Shi-wen (aka Chiwan Khamlue), the 93rd Regiment’s soldiers endured several years of harassment from Myanmar military before

www.thegtrider.com

 

[Morningrider]

From

North Thailand Top Ten Roads

Another suggestion: Route 3056 from Mae Tuen to Mae Ramat (or opposite of course) Approx 85 kms of concrete road through extreme scenery. The road snakes through breathtaking landscape and endless extremely steep hills, several inclines more than 30 %! Do have fresh brakepads when going to ride...

www.gt-rider.com

I was curious which was steeper, the west 12 km of the 4009, or the steepest 12 km of the 3054. I used Excel to compare my Garmin GPS tracks of those rides. It was not easy but I have too much time on my hands when I am not riding. It turns out that they both cover about 1% of their distance at over 30% grade—no significant difference at the extreme—but only about 23% of the 3054 steepest segment is covered at over 15% grade, compared to about 31% of the 4009 west segment, so the 4009 is significantly steeper and may well be the steepest 12 km of road in Thailand.


I made some other comparisons (percentage distance at over 15% grade, based on Garmin tracks):
Route 4009 West Segment, 12 km: 31%
Elephant Pass to Viewpoint, 24 km: 28%
Route 1345 to Viewpoint, 14 km: 25%
Eng Neo Microwave Road, 7 km: 25%
Route 3054 Steepest Segment, 12 km: 23%
Route 1090 near Umphang, 80 km: 22%
Route 1256 to Doi Phu Kha, 36 km: 19%
Route 1090 Maesot to Umphang, 163 km: 16%
Route 3054 to Mae Tuen, 72 km: 16%
Route 4009 Past Sunflowers, 54 km: 14%
Route 1009 to Doi Inthanon, 39 km: 7%
Route 1148 past Biker Cafe, 61 km: 2%

 

[Morningrider]

Excellent info.
You can take a look at this one & add a few bits if you like.

The Steepest Roads

Must be about time to put all these together in 1 thread. I thought there was one already, but can't see it right now. Pha Bur R1334 The Pha Bur road is a hidden gem of a steep twister of a road. It is difficult to get photos in there & we had a crack at it this arvo. Some vdo & a bit of...

www.gt-rider.com

I'd love to see how the big dipper 4018 fits in our data.

David, here you are, I added a histogram for the Big Dipper. The charts show (1) the percentage of the route done by me at under 30 km, (2) the percentage of the route over 15% grade, and (3) the percentage of the route over 20% grade, calculated both by (a) distance and (b) time. I think the time-weighted comparisons are more meaningful than distance-weighted, because lower speed indicates higher difficulty for the rider on those sections, all else being equal, for two roads of equal steepness. We are grinding away in first and second gear, for up to half our moving time in some cases, for our safety, not for sight-seeing. Time-weighting indirectly takes the road curvature, narrowness, and roughness into account. Anyway, here are the comparisons both ways:

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 15% grade, calculated by moving time, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4018 Big Dipper 4009 (11 km)
2. 4009 west segment (12 km)
3. 1345 viewpoint (14 km)

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 20% grade, calculated by moving time, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4009 west segment (12 km)
2. 4018 Big Dipper (11 km)
3. 3054 steepest segment (12 km) and 1345 viewpoint (14 km) [tied for third place]

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 15% grade, calculated by distance, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4009 west segment (12 km)
2. 4018 Big Dipper (11 km)
3. Elephant Pass viewpoint (24 km)

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 20% grade, calculated by distance, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4009 west segment (12 km)
2. 4018 Big Dipper (11 km)
3. Elephant Pass viewpoint (24 km), 1345 viewpoint (14 km), 3054 steepest segment (12 km), and the 1090 near Umphang (80 km) [tied for third place]

As the senior biker, how would you define the “steepest” “road” in Thailand? What roads would be in your top 5 or 10? I’m happy to add a few more if you give me the start and end coordinates.

 

[Morningrider]

The details:

 

[DavidFL]

David, here you are, I added a histogram for the Big Dipper. The charts show (1) the percentage of the route done by me at under 30 km, (2) the percentage of the route over 15% grade, and (3) the percentage of the route over 20% grade, calculated both by (a) distance and (b) time. I think the time-weighted comparisons are more meaningful than distance-weighted, because lower speed indicates higher difficulty for the rider on those sections, all else being equal, for two roads of equal steepness. We are grinding away in first and second gear, for up to half our moving time in some cases, for our safety, not for sight-seeing. Time-weighting indirectly takes the road curvature, narrowness, and roughness into account. Anyway, here are the comparisons both ways:

View attachment 153479

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 15% grade, calculated by moving time, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4018 Big Dipper 4009 (11 km)
2. 4009 west segment (12 km)
3. 1345 viewpoint (14 km)

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 20% grade, calculated by moving time, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4009 west segment (12 km)
2. 4018 Big Dipper (11 km)
3. 3054 steepest segment (12 km) and 1345 viewpoint (14 km) [tied for third place]

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 15% grade, calculated by distance, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4009 west segment (12 km)
2. 4018 Big Dipper (11 km)
3. Elephant Pass viewpoint (24 km)

When sorted by the proportion of the route that is over 20% grade, calculated by distance, the steepest three roads on this list are:
1. 4009 west segment (12 km)
2. 4018 Big Dipper (11 km)
3. Elephant Pass viewpoint (24 km), 1345 viewpoint (14 km), 3054 steepest segment (12 km), and the 1090 near Umphang (80 km) [tied for third place]

As the senior biker, how would you define the “steepest” “road” in Thailand? What roads would be in your top 5 or 10? I’m happy to add a few more if you give me the start and end coordinates.

That's impressive. I'm glad we have you on board with GTR & loads of time on your hands.
I will give you a few more to compare, but I will copy this to the thread the Steepest Roads Thread.
Many thanks you're a star.