Good news for a big gang. I hope they've got rooms organised, plus I wonder how many of them will be kind enough to wear GT Rider shirts?
The Tj John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride
- Thread starter DavidFL
- Start date
Talking of wearing the shirts, when exactly? At The Kafe for the off? At night in MHS or at some other point? The reason I ask is I have one shirt and if I am expected to wear it all day and evening, it's going to be pretty niffy by then. Qualification would be appreciated or maybe this is a ploy to have us buy more shirts?
Cheers,
Pikey.
Cheers,
Pikey.
Pikey wrote: Talking of wearing the shirts, when exactly? At The Kafe for the off? At night in MHS or at some other point? The reason I ask is I have one shirt and if I am expected to wear it all day and evening, it's going to be pretty niffy by then. Qualification would be appreciated or maybe this is a ploy to have us buy more shirts?
Cheers,
Pikey.
Yep it's a ploy alright for those guys holding out; & if you've already supported GT Rider once, buy another one. You little bewdy. :thumbup:
But I can well imagine that for photos in the day time, most guys would be wearing their jacket, so you would not see much of the shirt anyway.
So that means GT Rider shirt in the evening in Mae Hong Son (& the next day on the way home?)
Thanks guys. :thumbup:
For the late comers & blow ins who intend to rock up tomorrow morning & are worried about accommodation, a phone call can be made in the morning from the Kafe once we know for sure who is going.
CONFIRMED 4 rooms at the Piya are for the 1st four
1. David Unk
2. John Gooding
3. Ian Bungy
4. Robert Hoghead
CONFIRMED at the Palm House
1. Pikey
2. Tom Forde
3. Dave Silverhawk.
4. Ken Yam
The Kafe opens at 8AM for breakfast for those who want brekky first. But early morning the Kafe staff are not renowned for fast efficient service.
Please arrive with a full tank of fuel, correct tyre pressure & ready to ride.
We want to leave ON TIME at 9.30AM.
If you're not sure of the route or your way around MHS, carry a GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map with you.
If the Palm is full, there are another 5 or 6 six guesthouses within 800 metres of the place.
I estimate we should be up on Doi Inthanon around 11AM.
Mae Chaem for lunch midday
Ex Mae Chaem 1PM roughly to be in MHS around 4.30PM. Perfect timing for Happy Hour & a sundown salute to TJ & Simon. :thumbup:
CONFIRMED 4 rooms at the Piya are for the 1st four
1. David Unk
2. John Gooding
3. Ian Bungy
4. Robert Hoghead
CONFIRMED at the Palm House
1. Pikey
2. Tom Forde
3. Dave Silverhawk.
4. Ken Yam
The Kafe opens at 8AM for breakfast for those who want brekky first. But early morning the Kafe staff are not renowned for fast efficient service.
Please arrive with a full tank of fuel, correct tyre pressure & ready to ride.
We want to leave ON TIME at 9.30AM.
If you're not sure of the route or your way around MHS, carry a GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map with you.
If the Palm is full, there are another 5 or 6 six guesthouses within 800 metres of the place.
I estimate we should be up on Doi Inthanon around 11AM.
Mae Chaem for lunch midday
Ex Mae Chaem 1PM roughly to be in MHS around 4.30PM. Perfect timing for Happy Hour & a sundown salute to TJ & Simon. :thumbup:
The 2010 trip....
The start
& almost away on time.
:shock: 14 riders & 3 in a pick up. 8 rooms booked? :roll:
The way
TJ & Simon - neither of you are forgotten. You were two "bloody good mates." :thumbup:
R1192 down off the side of Doi Inthanon to Mae Chaem is a beauty of a tight spiraling cork screw descent & Dave Carroll gets into a corner too hot & drops his new BMW F800 brushing the armco. He's a real lucky man - no injuries & no photos. Picked his bike up in a super hurry, before anyone could get their camera out!!
Mae Chaem for lunch & "on time" just after mid day.
7-11 a la Captain Slash for some
Bungy The ambassador "ambassadoring."
Another diplomatic corp
From Mae Chaem R1263 to Khun Yuam is an absolute gem of a riders road, steep, twisting, often narrow & bumpy = one hell of a ride. The best forest cover & way to get to Mae Hong Son?
Plus almost no traffic, except the odd hill tribe driver & loaded up pick up.
They drive their local roads every day & often don't pay much attention to other drivers coming & going.
Without warning they might suddenly pause & turn into a narrow side track without indication.
KenYam clipped the back of one such vehicle executing a dramatic left turn after a veer out to the right first.
He was lucky & ended up in the verge.
Had he ended up in the back of the pick up, the bike might have been more damaged, but Ken may still have had a soft landing there were so many people stacked in the back.
The damage a broken gear lever - his nob snapped off.
What to do?
Ride on in 2nd or 3rd gear to the next local engineering shop.
run by the Hmong.
A big bike & a bit of excitement for the locals
Whilst Ken was explaining the problem, one of the local hoons lit up the street for the farang bikers.
downtown Pang Kia & no traffic police.
The show finished he cruised on up the street to the engineering shop
AND
started to work on KenYam's bike!
after a couple of prelimary communication - cultural misunderstandings, the job was done.
AND
the bill presented. 50 baht!
Don't you just love this country. :clap:
Ken too was impressed & doubled the payment to100 baht.
:clap: :clap:
Smiles all round. :thumbup:
Despite all this Mae Hong Son arrival time was on time for Happy Hour.
Shower, clean up & off to the temple.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Food & drink at the Sunflower
The night was not big.
And the next day was a flying start for some, leaving at diferent times.
I cruised on home on time as planned with KenYam & Joe Bloggs.
The Pang Mapha Viewpoint dollies
John "Joe Bloggs" & the PMP dollies
John glad you came & had a good time. Thanks for the PMs.
The view
it was worth it
The way home MHS - X-Centre.
Bungy thanks for the post-ride drinks at the X-Centre. Exceptional hospitality as usual. :thumbup:
The start
& almost away on time.
:shock: 14 riders & 3 in a pick up. 8 rooms booked? :roll:
The way
TJ & Simon - neither of you are forgotten. You were two "bloody good mates." :thumbup:
R1192 down off the side of Doi Inthanon to Mae Chaem is a beauty of a tight spiraling cork screw descent & Dave Carroll gets into a corner too hot & drops his new BMW F800 brushing the armco. He's a real lucky man - no injuries & no photos. Picked his bike up in a super hurry, before anyone could get their camera out!!
Mae Chaem for lunch & "on time" just after mid day.
7-11 a la Captain Slash for some
Bungy The ambassador "ambassadoring."
Another diplomatic corp
From Mae Chaem R1263 to Khun Yuam is an absolute gem of a riders road, steep, twisting, often narrow & bumpy = one hell of a ride. The best forest cover & way to get to Mae Hong Son?
Plus almost no traffic, except the odd hill tribe driver & loaded up pick up.
They drive their local roads every day & often don't pay much attention to other drivers coming & going.
Without warning they might suddenly pause & turn into a narrow side track without indication.
KenYam clipped the back of one such vehicle executing a dramatic left turn after a veer out to the right first.
He was lucky & ended up in the verge.
Had he ended up in the back of the pick up, the bike might have been more damaged, but Ken may still have had a soft landing there were so many people stacked in the back.
The damage a broken gear lever - his nob snapped off.
What to do?
Ride on in 2nd or 3rd gear to the next local engineering shop.
run by the Hmong.
A big bike & a bit of excitement for the locals
Whilst Ken was explaining the problem, one of the local hoons lit up the street for the farang bikers.
downtown Pang Kia & no traffic police.
The show finished he cruised on up the street to the engineering shop
AND
started to work on KenYam's bike!
after a couple of prelimary communication - cultural misunderstandings, the job was done.
AND
the bill presented. 50 baht!
Don't you just love this country. :clap:
Ken too was impressed & doubled the payment to100 baht.
:clap: :clap:
Smiles all round. :thumbup:
Despite all this Mae Hong Son arrival time was on time for Happy Hour.
Shower, clean up & off to the temple.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Food & drink at the Sunflower
The night was not big.
And the next day was a flying start for some, leaving at diferent times.
I cruised on home on time as planned with KenYam & Joe Bloggs.
The Pang Mapha Viewpoint dollies
John "Joe Bloggs" & the PMP dollies
John glad you came & had a good time. Thanks for the PMs.
The view
it was worth it
The way home MHS - X-Centre.
Bungy thanks for the post-ride drinks at the X-Centre. Exceptional hospitality as usual. :thumbup:
Thanks David for the report and usual excellent pictures.
I will add one or two mainly of the characters involved
Dave, West and Crazy John
The GT Rider and the Ambassador
Coffee stop, a modern shop in an old location
Tom and David
Quietly working despite all the big bike fuss
Not the typical mountain village bikes
Very enjoyable riding, but somehow much more fragmented than the excellent group ride and activities last year on the first ride. I guess we have face the fact that time changes things and we cannot always go back and relive what we enjoyed before. Thanks to all who attended and to David for making the arrangements, and to Ian for supplying the new poster of John and Simon. Having missed the group photo at the Wat as my food was just arriving, I went later and was sad to see 2 huge grey minibuses parking almost on top of the plaques. No respect from some people, and especially those buses, both on and off the road.
I will add one or two mainly of the characters involved
Dave, West and Crazy John
The GT Rider and the Ambassador
Coffee stop, a modern shop in an old location
Tom and David
Quietly working despite all the big bike fuss
Not the typical mountain village bikes
Very enjoyable riding, but somehow much more fragmented than the excellent group ride and activities last year on the first ride. I guess we have face the fact that time changes things and we cannot always go back and relive what we enjoyed before. Thanks to all who attended and to David for making the arrangements, and to Ian for supplying the new poster of John and Simon. Having missed the group photo at the Wat as my food was just arriving, I went later and was sad to see 2 huge grey minibuses parking almost on top of the plaques. No respect from some people, and especially those buses, both on and off the road.
I will add some of My Photos.
Some of Us who live out this end meet up at the X-Centre and left at 9am:
Into town to meet the others and for the 9:30am departure from "The Kafe"
Off towards Doi Inthanon. Quite a bit of Traffic so this isn't to exciting but it improves Dramatically once We turn off the Main Road and head up the Mountain! Regrouping and paying Our Entrance Fee at the Forestry Check Point!
At the Top for a Shot with the Guys, These Two can still make it to the Top of Thailand!
Off we go again.
A fast ride down to Mae Chaem for Fuel and Lunch then on our way again. Great Ride to Our arranged Rendezvous and another Picture of "Burnout Boy"
From here we split up into varied Groups before finally all arriving in Mae Hong Son at very similar Times? Checked in Showered and Memorial Time! We took some Photos and Observed a Minutes Silence for the Mates and I snapped a Photo of the Two Lying down on the Job! Not sure if You can see in the Photo but TJ is doing a Adam impersonation with a Leaf over His Private Parts!!! Always the Joker!!!
Time for a Beer so down to the Lake. I love this place and the Location is perfect for Sundowners!!! Pretty good night had by all even though We did spread out a bit.
Morning We were all up early and everyone wandered off at their own Pace and different times? Stopped on the Lookout for a while to re-Group.
Into Pai for Lunch then headed out back to Chiang Mai. I was home pretty early after chasing Crazy John on His 610 Motard so unpacked, cleaned up and back to the X-Centre for late afternoon Beers with the Boys, Turned into quite a good night with some of the others returning later. That's all from Me so See You All Next Year!!!
Some of Us who live out this end meet up at the X-Centre and left at 9am:
Into town to meet the others and for the 9:30am departure from "The Kafe"
Off towards Doi Inthanon. Quite a bit of Traffic so this isn't to exciting but it improves Dramatically once We turn off the Main Road and head up the Mountain! Regrouping and paying Our Entrance Fee at the Forestry Check Point!
At the Top for a Shot with the Guys, These Two can still make it to the Top of Thailand!
Off we go again.
A fast ride down to Mae Chaem for Fuel and Lunch then on our way again. Great Ride to Our arranged Rendezvous and another Picture of "Burnout Boy"
From here we split up into varied Groups before finally all arriving in Mae Hong Son at very similar Times? Checked in Showered and Memorial Time! We took some Photos and Observed a Minutes Silence for the Mates and I snapped a Photo of the Two Lying down on the Job! Not sure if You can see in the Photo but TJ is doing a Adam impersonation with a Leaf over His Private Parts!!! Always the Joker!!!
Time for a Beer so down to the Lake. I love this place and the Location is perfect for Sundowners!!! Pretty good night had by all even though We did spread out a bit.
Morning We were all up early and everyone wandered off at their own Pace and different times? Stopped on the Lookout for a while to re-Group.
Into Pai for Lunch then headed out back to Chiang Mai. I was home pretty early after chasing Crazy John on His 610 Motard so unpacked, cleaned up and back to the X-Centre for late afternoon Beers with the Boys, Turned into quite a good night with some of the others returning later. That's all from Me so See You All Next Year!!!
Great to read the reports on another successful Memorial ride this year, just wish I could have made it again. Makes me think about how much has changed , in the Thai bike market in the 2 years since TJ departed. He would have loved a Versys I reckon , and Simon the BM 800 GS.....guess they were there in spirit. RIP guys.
3rd Annual TJ Hamilton & Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial ride.
29-30 November 2011
TJ & Siinthai were dedicated GT Riders & active participants on the GT Rider forum. They each loved to ride the MHS Loop & as such this memorial event has become a GT Rider tradition.
As in previous years, the departure point is the Kafe & the finish at the X-Centre.
THE PROGRAM
OUTWARD: TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Meet at & depart from the Kafe Tuesday morning.
The Route the same as last year. It's a tradition.
Group photo outside the Kafe.
Kafe departure time 9.00AM.
Ride Chiang Mai - R108 - Chomthong - R1009 - Doi Inthanon
Leave Chiang Mai on route 108
Ride towards Chomthong.
Stop & regroup at & immediately before the turn off to Doi Inthanon & R1009.
Turn right & head up R1009 to Doi Inthanon.
Negotiate the National Park entry as a group.
Ride non-stop to the Doi Inthanon summit.
Take a group photo.
Optional coffee at the summit park shop.
At the top, break time 40-45 minutes total?
Backtrack down R1009 to the checkpoint & Mae Chaem turn off R1192.
Turn right & take R1192 all the way into Mae Chaem.
Stop at the PTT petrol station. Fuel up.
Take lunch in Mae Chaem, the same restaurant opposite the PTT as last year.
Lunch break time 45-60 mins total?
Depart Mae Chaem & ride towards Khun Yuam.
R1088 / 1263.
Pit stop in Pang Kia / Pang Ung for a drink & regroup (the same place as last year).
Break time 20-30 mins total?
Continue on R1263 to R108 & The T-junction just north of Khun Yuam.
Brief regroup, no drink at the T-junction.
Break time 10-15 minutes total?
Turn right & ride on into Mae Hong Son & the lake.
In MHS check in & shower.
Meet at the Sunflower by the lake.
Visit Wat Chong Klang & pay our respects to TJ & Simon.
Group photo at the temple.
Have fun & make merry for our two dear departed friends TJ & Simon.
MHS NOTES
1. There is a walking street by the lake & should your arrival time be late / early evening, then access to the lake is not easy / possible from the main street. You need to ride in from the “backside of the lake.”
THE RETURN: WEDNESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER.
“Late” breakfast at the Sunflower 9.30AM.
Depart Mae Hong Son 10.30AM on R1095.
Ride non-stop to the Pang Mapha sala viewpoint.
Take a group photo.
Break time 20 minutes total?
Continue onto Soppong & take a coffee break at the Soppong River Inn.
Break time 40-45 mins total?
Continue onto Pai for lunch.
Lunch at the Baan Pai / Pai Country.
Break time 45-60 minutes total?
Optional Fuel up.
Continue On R1095
Optional drink stop / regroup (to be decided in Pai) at Mae Sa, the half way point between Pai & Mae Malai.
Continue on R1095.
Turn right & head straight to the X-Centre at Mae Rim for post Memorial Ride drinks ‘n jokes.
29-30 November 2011
TJ & Siinthai were dedicated GT Riders & active participants on the GT Rider forum. They each loved to ride the MHS Loop & as such this memorial event has become a GT Rider tradition.
As in previous years, the departure point is the Kafe & the finish at the X-Centre.
THE PROGRAM
OUTWARD: TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Meet at & depart from the Kafe Tuesday morning.
The Route the same as last year. It's a tradition.
Group photo outside the Kafe.
Kafe departure time 9.00AM.
Ride Chiang Mai - R108 - Chomthong - R1009 - Doi Inthanon
Leave Chiang Mai on route 108
Ride towards Chomthong.
Stop & regroup at & immediately before the turn off to Doi Inthanon & R1009.
Turn right & head up R1009 to Doi Inthanon.
Negotiate the National Park entry as a group.
Ride non-stop to the Doi Inthanon summit.
Take a group photo.
Optional coffee at the summit park shop.
At the top, break time 40-45 minutes total?
Backtrack down R1009 to the checkpoint & Mae Chaem turn off R1192.
Turn right & take R1192 all the way into Mae Chaem.
Stop at the PTT petrol station. Fuel up.
Take lunch in Mae Chaem, the same restaurant opposite the PTT as last year.
Lunch break time 45-60 mins total?
Depart Mae Chaem & ride towards Khun Yuam.
R1088 / 1263.
Pit stop in Pang Kia / Pang Ung for a drink & regroup (the same place as last year).
Break time 20-30 mins total?
Continue on R1263 to R108 & The T-junction just north of Khun Yuam.
Brief regroup, no drink at the T-junction.
Break time 10-15 minutes total?
Turn right & ride on into Mae Hong Son & the lake.
In MHS check in & shower.
Meet at the Sunflower by the lake.
Visit Wat Chong Klang & pay our respects to TJ & Simon.
Group photo at the temple.
Have fun & make merry for our two dear departed friends TJ & Simon.
MHS NOTES
1. There is a walking street by the lake & should your arrival time be late / early evening, then access to the lake is not easy / possible from the main street. You need to ride in from the “backside of the lake.”
THE RETURN: WEDNESDAY 30TH NOVEMBER.
“Late” breakfast at the Sunflower 9.30AM.
Depart Mae Hong Son 10.30AM on R1095.
Ride non-stop to the Pang Mapha sala viewpoint.
Take a group photo.
Break time 20 minutes total?
Continue onto Soppong & take a coffee break at the Soppong River Inn.
Break time 40-45 mins total?
Continue onto Pai for lunch.
Lunch at the Baan Pai / Pai Country.
Break time 45-60 minutes total?
Optional Fuel up.
Continue On R1095
Optional drink stop / regroup (to be decided in Pai) at Mae Sa, the half way point between Pai & Mae Malai.
Continue on R1095.
Turn right & head straight to the X-Centre at Mae Rim for post Memorial Ride drinks ‘n jokes.
3rd Annual TJ Hamilton & Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial ride.
29-30 November 2011
Confirmed so far
1. David Unk
2. Ian Bungy
3. Ron Webb
4. Ben Kemp
I have rooms booked at the Piya GH, which is now full on the 29th.
29-30 November 2011
Confirmed so far
1. David Unk
2. Ian Bungy
3. Ron Webb
4. Ben Kemp
I have rooms booked at the Piya GH, which is now full on the 29th.
Sorry to miss this one, but the buyer of my FZ1 is coming to collect and while you are heading to Doi Inthanon, I will be escorting him back towards Bangkok. Have a great ride and say hello for me at the Wat.
I won't be able to make it this year and still find it weird getting my head around my 2 closest Phuket mates being gone.
We certainly had some great times together and really pleased that the memorial ride is on again this year.
Take care and have fun guys. Noel
We certainly had some great times together and really pleased that the memorial ride is on again this year.
Take care and have fun guys. Noel
Rooms confirmed at the Piya ghouse
1. David Unk
2. Ian Bungy
3. Ron Web
4. Dave Early
5. Tom Forde
any other participants will need to book their own rooms. I suggest you try either the Palm House or Rom Tai House, both 300 metres around the corner from Piya Ghouse.
OUTWARD: TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Meet at & depart from the Kafe Tuesday morning.
The Route the same as last year. It's a tradition.
Group photo outside the Kafe.
Kafe departure time 9.00AM.
1. David Unk
2. Ian Bungy
3. Ron Web
4. Dave Early
5. Tom Forde
any other participants will need to book their own rooms. I suggest you try either the Palm House or Rom Tai House, both 300 metres around the corner from Piya Ghouse.
OUTWARD: TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Meet at & depart from the Kafe Tuesday morning.
The Route the same as last year. It's a tradition.
Group photo outside the Kafe.
Kafe departure time 9.00AM.
PHOTOS 2011 The TJ John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride
12 Riders started off from Chiang Mai.
1. David Unk
2. Ian Bungy
3. Dave Silverhawk
4. Ron Webb & Kop
5. Tom Forde
6. West
7. Dave Carrell
8. Kiwi John
9. Richard Goldmine
10. Harry
11. Shadi & Raquel
12. Con.
+ Joined in MHS
13. Kiwi Cruiser + Fern
14. Toon
The start at the Kafe (on time too!)
Regrouping for Doi Inthanon & the Nat Park entry
Doi Inthanon
Lunch in Mae Chaem. The designated restaurant was closed - under renovation so we ate Captain Slash style at 7-11
TJ & Siinthai came with us for lunch in the 7-11
Pang Kia & some sunflowers Mae Na Chon - Khun Yuam.
Arrival time in MHS was 3.30PM
Mae Hong Son in perfect light
Time to pay respect at the temple.
Thanks to all the guys & gals who came in honour of 2 dear departed friends & GT Riders.
It was very pleasing to see no spills this year & a very cool group of peo9ple.
Special mention goes to Richard "Goldmine" who did the trip on his Kawasaki 175 Boss. Well done Richard.
Lets keep the tradition going with an annual ride in late November 2012.
Please add your photos & thoughts.
12 Riders started off from Chiang Mai.
1. David Unk
2. Ian Bungy
3. Dave Silverhawk
4. Ron Webb & Kop
5. Tom Forde
6. West
7. Dave Carrell
8. Kiwi John
9. Richard Goldmine
10. Harry
11. Shadi & Raquel
12. Con.
+ Joined in MHS
13. Kiwi Cruiser + Fern
14. Toon
The start at the Kafe (on time too!)
Regrouping for Doi Inthanon & the Nat Park entry
Doi Inthanon
Lunch in Mae Chaem. The designated restaurant was closed - under renovation so we ate Captain Slash style at 7-11
TJ & Siinthai came with us for lunch in the 7-11
Pang Kia & some sunflowers Mae Na Chon - Khun Yuam.
Arrival time in MHS was 3.30PM
Mae Hong Son in perfect light
Time to pay respect at the temple.
Thanks to all the guys & gals who came in honour of 2 dear departed friends & GT Riders.
It was very pleasing to see no spills this year & a very cool group of peo9ple.
Special mention goes to Richard "Goldmine" who did the trip on his Kawasaki 175 Boss. Well done Richard.
Lets keep the tradition going with an annual ride in late November 2012.
Please add your photos & thoughts.
Nov 17th is the provisional date for Khon Kaen bike week. A few of us from Chiang Mai have been to this event in the past and plan to go this year also, so could we make the memorial ride the 10th or 24th.
The proposed date is Saturday 10th Nov 2012, but this year's ride will coincide with a 2nd Music Night in Mae Hong Son & we are awaiting confirmation from the governor in MHS on an acceptable weekend date for the event.
It is hope that this year's memorial ride combined with the music night will make it a much bigger event.
Stay tuned.
Confirmed 4th Annual TJ John Hamilton - Simon Siinthai Grant Memorial Ride
Saturday 10th November 2012.
To coincide with the 2nd Mae Hong Son International Music Night.
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Saturday 10th November 2012.
To coincide with the 2nd Mae Hong Son International Music Night.
[h=2][/h]