Just a thought
These days I see hundreds of riders passing through, and it would be a genuinely warm feeling to know that more of us are taking a moment to engage with the locals along the way — not just flashing past from one Instagram check-in to the next.
These days I see hundreds of riders passing through, and it would be great to think that more of us are stopping for something other than fuel, coffee, or the next Instagram selfie.
When riding Northern Thailand and Laos, it doesn’t need to be a race to reach the destination in time for happy hour or a big night out. The road will still be there tomorrow — and so will the beer.
Slow it down. Pull over in the small villages you pass through. Say hello, share a smile, and if you can, have a chat. The people you meet are just like us, only with better local knowledge and fewer riding toys.
An easy way to break the ice is talking about family — parents, partners, kids, health, school. Same questions, same worries, just a different postcode. Amazing how quickly a conversation starts.
Most times, that’s all it takes. A few words, a laugh, maybe a photo, and suddenly a quick stop turns into one of the better memories of the ride.
In poorer villages, especially in Laos, a small gesture goes a long way. If there’s a little shop and some kids around, buy something useful — noodles or basics like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, or washing powder. It costs less than a couple of big beers back in town, and the return on investment is much higher.
Our rides don’t need to be a mad dash from one check-in to the next followed by late nights every evening. We’re incredibly lucky to live and ride freely in such a friendly part of the world.
A lot of locals are doing it tough right now, especially with the growing wealth gap in Thailand. A bit of empathy, a friendly chat, and spending a few baht in the village won’t slow the ride — but it might make it better.
These days I see hundreds of riders passing through, and it would be a genuinely warm feeling to know that more of us are taking a moment to engage with the locals along the way — not just flashing past from one Instagram check-in to the next.
These days I see hundreds of riders passing through, and it would be great to think that more of us are stopping for something other than fuel, coffee, or the next Instagram selfie.
When riding Northern Thailand and Laos, it doesn’t need to be a race to reach the destination in time for happy hour or a big night out. The road will still be there tomorrow — and so will the beer.
Slow it down. Pull over in the small villages you pass through. Say hello, share a smile, and if you can, have a chat. The people you meet are just like us, only with better local knowledge and fewer riding toys.
An easy way to break the ice is talking about family — parents, partners, kids, health, school. Same questions, same worries, just a different postcode. Amazing how quickly a conversation starts.
Most times, that’s all it takes. A few words, a laugh, maybe a photo, and suddenly a quick stop turns into one of the better memories of the ride.
In poorer villages, especially in Laos, a small gesture goes a long way. If there’s a little shop and some kids around, buy something useful — noodles or basics like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, or washing powder. It costs less than a couple of big beers back in town, and the return on investment is much higher.
Our rides don’t need to be a mad dash from one check-in to the next followed by late nights every evening. We’re incredibly lucky to live and ride freely in such a friendly part of the world.
A lot of locals are doing it tough right now, especially with the growing wealth gap in Thailand. A bit of empathy, a friendly chat, and spending a few baht in the village won’t slow the ride — but it might make it better.
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