Motorcycling around Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nan loop/5 days 2500kms

[Mr Earl]

Here's the route:
Thanon Ratchadaphisek to Thanon Asok-Din Daeng - Google Maps

Day 1:
I started out early Thursday morning.
I got a little lost on the way out of town trying to avoid the evil nasty toll highways.
I ended up following some Khlong going north, kinda pleasant.


Near Ayuthaya I stopped to take some pictures of old tractors.



I'm a sucker for old tractors





I have lunch in Mae Sot and head north for the mountains.
This was one of the few straight stretches where I dared take a pictures while riding.



Lots of corn in various stages of growth.



The road begins to get twisty, I ain't too good at taking pics moving, but note the excellent quality of the road. There were many stretches which were pretty rough.



Saw these interesting critters on my first pee stop.





My trusty animal





Many lovely streams and rice paddies





The road gets a bit tighter though the condition is pretty good.



Freshly planted rice.





Spend the first night in Mae Sariang. Found a dumpy motel whose main redeeming features were that is was clean, cheap 300bht, and I could park right outside my door. And friendly critters greeted me.

[Rigger]

Looks like the makings of a good thread Mr Earl

[klongmaster]

Spend the first night in Mae Sariang

Interesting Ride...long way on the first day...were you on a mission or just riding for the pleasure of it?

[nedwalk]

i,m envious..well done

[English Noodles]

Gotta spread the love, Earl.

[Mr Earl]

Just out for a ride. I've been stuck in BKK for the past couple of months studying Thai at the Union Language school. I was itching to get on the road,
I wanted to ride the Mae Hong Son loop from the south and see that area north of Nan.

Day 2.

On the way to MHS I found this shrine with trees interesting, lovely old trees, it's kinda hard to capture their sense of grandeur.













they were in this quiet town Mae La Noi. I stayed here one night a couple years ago riding around from the north.


Pulled into Mae Hong Son, took a few pics and kept riding.

























Last time over the pass into Pai this place was completely socked in.



Looks interesting and chained off. I want to be able to read that shit!



This poor guy had a flat tyre.





That was it for day 2.
I wasn't inspired to take pictures in Pai or Chiang Mai.

[Mr Earl]

Day 3.

Chiang Mai to Nan.

This road turned out to be extremely pleasant. Especially the hwy 1150 between Phrao and Ban Pong.

I got curious about the elevation, I wuz getting pretty high.





When I learn to read I'm know what this says I reckon.



You can just barely make out the road on that far ridge line.





Had a nice midday nap on a bench near this Buddha. Even with the occasional passerby honking for Bud.





Lots of rice getting planted all along the way.





Looking back along hwy 1148 near Pa Chang Noi.





Lovely new little rest area and viewpoint.



well that were the pics of day 3.
I find a dumpy motel in Nan drink a few beers and go to sleep.
All those twisty turns tire ya out.

[oky]

Great post, thanks!

[VocalNeal]

Magic. I'm jealous. May I come next time?

[Bangyai]

Nice thread and excellent pictures. I did the Mae Sot to Mae Sariang stretch myself about 18 months ago. When the road veers away from the river and heads up into the mountains they were widening and regrading it. From the looks of your picture it looks like they didn't go too far with it.

[Mr Earl]

Day 4.

I did a 300 km loop to the north of Nan.

This was quite a spectacular area, very rugged, the road was narrow and tight

This is a section of hwy 1257



All the rivers were quite swollen from recent heavy rains.











Road hazards like these were common.



more rice paddies.



They plant corn on the hillsides.









Variable road surfaces were the rule of the day.





I liked the lighting for this shot. Had more better but didn't upload yet. Anyway you get the idea!



That's it for the pics. Got tired an lazy after that.

Found a much better little hotel the second night in Nan.
Brand spanking new. No english sign but the owner speaks a little english, free wifi, UBC and the place was absolutely impeccably spotless for only 350 baht.

I have the phone # for reference. 083-689-2735

definitely the best I've found in my travels around the country.

Day 5 was back to BKK. The hwy between Nan and Phrae was delightful.

Traffic around Saraburi was freaking intense..
Hardly any traffic going through BKK.
I got some blisters on my hands after all that riding. I need to toughen up a bit.

[Mr Earl]

Magic. I'm jealous. May I come next time?

Sure you bet.

There's also a group of guys who get out on rides more regularly than I.

They're the Secret Soi Rider

I was going to ride this trip with them, but I wanted to leave a day earlier and wanted to see that loop out of Nan.

They had a group of 6-7 bikes make the Mae Hong Son loop on friday and saturday.

[peterpan]

The BM's come up well Earl, I remember what a mess it was after John crashed it and it got run over by a 10 wheeler.












Just joking Earl

[Mr Earl]

The BM's come up well Earl, I remember what a mess it was after John crashed it and it got run over by a 10 wheeler.












Just joking Earl

You knew John ey! Sad about him.

Heck I was the one who crashed it. Cost me about 50k to get her put back in shape.

[Travelmate]

Hey! We waved at you 35 kms outside of Nan.
You waved back but did not stop to say Hi.

[kingwilly]

nice thread, thanks for the effort.

[smeden]

nice pics a green is sent

[Mr Earl]

Hey! We waved at you 35 kms outside of Nan.
You waved back but did not stop to say Hi.

That was you! looked like you guys were going the other direction.

I was a bit knackered at that point and had beer on the mind.

[Udonite]

Another green on it's way.

Thanks for all the pictures.

[bobo746]

Good stuff mate what size is the bm

[Marmite the Dog]

Nice pics mate.

Give us a shout if you fancy an Isaan ride one day.

[somtamslap]

Near Ayuthaya I stopped to take some pictures of old tractors.

I have lunch in Mae Sot

Fuck me, you must've been SHIFTING it...

Great pics..inspirational stuff..I need to get me a bigger bike..

[Mr Earl]

Good stuff mate what size is the bm

It's a 1995 R1100GS. Pretty good bike for Thailand, it's very tough and reliable. Servicing and maintenance is fairly simple compared to the newer ones.

Give us a shout if you fancy an Isaan ride one day.

You bet, I'm figuring my next big trip will be up to Nong Khai and make a big loop around following that road along the Mekong.

[jandajoy]

Let me know if you're in our area.

[Marmite the Dog]

You bet, I'm figuring my next big trip will be up to Nong Khai and make a big loop around following that road along the Mekong.

Ive been meaning to go over to Mukdahan and then down to Ubon for ages. I'd go over to Sakhon Nakhon though, rather than follow the Mehkong and the road is better (more hills).