The 2012 Ride.....the tradition continues to honour departed GT Riders
the start from the Kafe
10 riders: Capatin Wally, Gary D, Oliver, BrianBkk, Bungy, Kiwi John, Dave Carrell, Hoghead & Alex.
& we got away almost on time at 9.10am.
It was a busy run all the way down to Hot with considerable traffic - high season is starting?
The Chomthong - Hot road construction was hardly a problem & they are making fast progress on the 4-lane.
It was pit stop & drink time at the PTT in Hot & it was a relatively lengthy one chatting away, & topping up with liquids in the warm day. Probably if we had not chatted so much we might not have gotten sop hot & needed so many rinks. More than one rider went back into the 7-11 for seconds.
Just as we were about to leave JG's North Comets group arrived & there was more chit chat. Good to see so many friendly riders on the road.
Eventually we were on the road for a quick blast into the twisties beside the Mae Chaem river then up into the mountains.
Stop # 2 was at the road side coffee sala at Baw Kaew. Perhaps a bit close for most of us, me included, who missed the designated stop, requiring a U-turn much to some people's amusement & / or bewilderment; but it a delightful stop amongst the pine trees 1,000 metres up.
It was time to get the banner out again & give both TJ & Simon a look at the view..
From the pine trees it was straight onto Mae Sarieng for lunch.
As we cruised into MS - loh & behold there were a group of riders just arriving from the south - TonyBKk & co. What brilliant luck & timing.
this made it all much easier.
Cruise into town for lunch, where JGs North Comets group joined in at the same restaurant, then the Thai guys from Piston Shop got into Mae Sarieng too.
After lunch & a quick fuel top up it was on the road for MHS. True to form the pace quickened up after here & only the crap 15? odd kms of potholed asphalt / dirt slowed riders down.
The next photo stop was the Pha Bong dam viewpoint, & something new for the Bkk riders to my surprise.
Arrival time in MHS was 4.30PM, & just right for a photo op outside Wat Chong Klang
and then one inside by the plaques of TJ, Simon & Dan White.
thanks to all the guys who came & paid the respects to TJ, Simon & Dan. All good guys & mates.
For those who came & did not know them I hope that the explanation I gave you at the Wat helped you understand a little what we are doing & the tradition we are endeavouring to create amongst the riders here. And one day more of us may need a final resting place in North Thailand. Wat Chong Klang in MHS could be that place for GT Riders after their last ride. Thanks guys....please add some more photos.
