The first proper ride out on my new CB500x
I felt a bit like I was on a BMW, riding out to a coffee shop LOL. I've owned BMWs!
But it was a nice ride out.
The view point is on the way to Chulaphorn Dam in the Phu Khiao/Khon San area.
N16.50742° E101.69127°

The road there was good, going through a lot of villages, there was even a bit if gravel/dirt road to contend with, then heading in the the hills and mountains. Coming back I stayed on the bigger roads but even they were good. No stops on the way there or back as it was more of a run out for the new bike.
Once there the view was great. There was a food stand and a coffee place, they grow and grind their own beans.





















Wayne

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It was great getting out on the bike and doing a couple of days away.
I had just had my 1000km service so it was time for my friend from Roi Et and I to have a ride out.
We planned on going to the Phu Tap Beok and Phu Kradueng areas on some of the smaller roads. This happened on day one but day two was a bit hit and miss.

I was going to meet my mate at a PTT fuel station just outside Chum Phae as it was on the route to where we were going, rather than him come out of his way to come to mine. He had done 170km before we started the trip.




Ready for the off

Once I got to the station it was time for a coffee and wait, I was there about 30/40 minutes before Fred turned up



So, another brew was in order, then a fill up of fuel. We were then off!!


Day 1


Day 1 Google Earth


Close up of the last km's as we close in to the campsite

We had planned on stopping at a waterfall at the start of the trip, (hence the bit that sticks out early on the route) however when we got there it was closed. So we did an about turn and carried on. It was only about 8Km from our turn off so it was no great loss.
The roads on day 1 were great, some long straights, some long flowing corners and some tight hairpins later on. All with a lot of ups and downs, and I don't mean problems. So a good mixed day in my opinion
We didn't have places planned to visit we just stopped as and when for food and photos


Nam Nao





Once we had got some K's under the belt it was time to feed my stomach so we stopped at a noodle place on the outskirts of Nam Nao




Tom Yum Pork Noodles

Fed and watered it was time to get a shifty on.

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Once we had left the noodle place we continued on the 2216 and followed it all the way to where it meets the 21. We stopped a couple of times on the 2216 to take some photos but other than that it was just time to enjoy the road. The 2216, is about 100km long riding route in Phetchabun province of Thailand. Sweeping curves and tight corners, high elevation, steep up to 12% at certain stages. The best part of all, hardly any traffic.













From there we got on to the 21 for a bit then turned right at some traffic lights and got on to the 3013, this led us on to the 2372 before we turned right again and on to the 2331, which went up and up to the Phu Tap Beok. The 2331 is a scenic road with some great views of the valley below, lots of bends, and sharp up hill hairpins. You are climbing all the time.
Once we neared the entrance to the Phu Tap Beok National Park we slung another right and head up to where the campsite was.




Fred on his CB500x

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When we got to the campsite we parked up the bikes and went to pay for the pitch. If you don't want to carry a tent they have tents and small bungalows there for you to use. A pitch for your tent was THB 100, about GBP 2.40
Campsite Coords N16.89694. E101.10652



Some views from the campsite viewpoint, we were at about 1600 meters






This is the road we had just ridden




Time to set up shop for the night


A room with a view

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When we had got sorted out it was that time, o'clock
So we sat and chilled for a bit before going to get some food.



There was a restaurant a stones throw from where we were sleeping, so we walked over a grabbed a bit to eat.
There was a nice view from the restaurant.





I had a prawn kind of soup with some omelette in it with herbs. It tasted good, but little did I know I was going to reap the rewards later.



When we had finished eating we went back to the tents armed with some more and carried on the motion, it was also beginning to get a bit chilly, 15 degrees, some might say "that's not cold". I can agree. But having not had a winter in 9 years, living in Thailand and working in Iraq, then yes I was cold. Fortunately I had brought my fleece and Fred got in his sleeping bag after putting his fleece on.



We rounded the evening off with a tot of 15 year old Dalmore which I had put in a hip flask





As time was getting on, it was time to hit the hay
Then my fun and games began

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Well! All was going great, in the tent, nice and warm in the summer sleeping bag until about 0015 hrs and then it hit me, I am glad I woke up. I needed the loo so bad. The toilets were 5 baht a go and I had 3 coins. I managed to get there just in the nick of time. Such pain in my stomach. No loo roll but thankfully a bum gun. Anyway, that was done and I set off back to my tent and as soon as I got there I need to go again, another 5 baht down. Once I had done I managed to get back to the tent and have another 3 hours sleep before it hit me again, my last 5 baht. This time I stayed up as my stomach was churning. Now I think about it I think is was the prawns.
I stayed awake this time as I could not settle. On a plus side I managed to get some night shots of the valley below.
At about 0500 hrs I needed to go again, no 5 bahts, I did however have a tent, and a plastic bag, I will leave the rest to your imagination lol
By about 0600 the shops had started to open and I managed to get some change for the next round.
We were going to go to a temple on the top of Phu Tap Beok with a large stupa but I said to Fred that I need to find a Pharmacy in either Lom Sak or Lom Kao.
I needed some Imodium and quick. I do carry a First Aid Pack with bandages, plasters, and headache stuff etc but I didn't have any Imodium, school boy error on my part.
We left the campsite at around 0800 hrs after my last visit to the loo.










Just as the sun was starting to break

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Everything was packed and we were ready for the off, I had my last visit to the loo then got my kit on.






Day 2


Day 2 Google

On the way down I stopped and took a few more photos, then it was off to the Pharmacy in Lom Kao.


Looking back at where we had come from





That done, we set off on the last leg the trip

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I cannot remember what the route was going to be but we ended up doing the 21, then slung a right on to the 2002 on to the 2140 to Wang Saphung, then south on the 201, past Phu Kradueng and towards home.

Thankfully the Imodium type stuff I had taken was kicking in so that made things easier.

The 21 going north from Lom Kao was not too bad with some long and tight turns with some good straights to say it was a major road.





I took the above photos when I stopped to wait for Fred as I had lost him in my mirrors for awhile, he is normally right with me or in front paving the way.
Once I had taken the photos I turned round and went to look for him, about 3 k's back down the road I found him.



He was not feeling too great also, but it wasn't the prawns as he didn't have them

We pushed on some more and stopped at a roadside food place for some much needed grub and fluids.


The food place, approximately N17.20556 E101.159546



I had pork fried rice but couldn't manage it all, I did take on some fluids, note to oneself, carry electrolyte also
We chatted about what to do, turn round or move forward, either way was ok for me but Fred still had another 170km to do once we parted.

We decided to move on as there was only about 50km in it for Fred whichever way we went.
So we carried on up the 21 head towards Loei then turned on to the 2002 which led us on to the 2140.


On the 2140


A shot near Pha Nok Khao

Once the 201 met the 12 we parted company he went left towards Khon Kaen and I went right to go home.

Fred has a Youtube page and once he has done the video I will add the link on here.

The trip was good, even though a bit marred, it was good to get out again. It's all part of the trip, good and bad!

Three days on and my stomach is still suffering a bit.

Wayne

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Day 1 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - Part 1

Got my usual hot coffee from our business in my flask cup and off I went
Route, the 12, 2216, 21, 2014 and 2113
The day was very overcast as you can see by the photos further down
However it was a good days riding, nice and steady, I try to limit it to between 150 and 200 km a day so the ride is leisurely and not too long. I also keep the speed down, I might have touched 90kmh once lol otherwise, road dictating, I tend to stay at around 80. I ride to enjoy the road and scenery and not blast past.

The first part of the day was taken up with a road that I did on my last short trip, the 2216. I did this road because it kept me off a long main road and also because it’s a nice road to ride
Apart from the short stint on the 12 and 21 the roads were a lot of tight and sweeping bends with lots of up and down. What more do you want!!

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Day 1 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - part 2

On my last trip I wore my RST adventure suit trousers and off road body armour with an off road shirt.
This time I wore my full RST adventure suit, which I have had for years. It’s well vented and it seems to be working well when on the bike, but the main reason I wore it was so that I can take it off when I stop, as this is more of a PITA when you wear off road stuff.

I stayed in the Na Haeo Resort in Ban Mueang Phrae
Price was THB 690, on booking.com. Rooms were nice, however my first room had a lot of ants, up the walls and in the shower area. They moved me to another room. There is no food here but there is a 7/11 and local vendors selling food on an evening, it’s 5 minutes away on the bike. Pork fried rice and a chicken red curry to take away and eat outside my room.
The bike was parked outside my room.
I would use the place again.

















Wayne

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Day 2 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - part 1

The road today was great , 2195 all the way from my room last night and into Chiang Khan
I followed the edge of the Hueang River from Ban Mueang Phrae to where it meets the Mekong River at the Chiang Khan skywalk then followed the Mekong into Chiang Khan
The road was great to ride, much the same as yesterday, lots of tight and flowing bends with ups and downs over the top of hill and mountain ranges.






My first view of the Hueang River























The people in the photo above were moving bales of straw from the bank I was on to the embankment in the middle of the river, they were being closely watched by 2 guys in civvies carrying M16's, possibly Immigration Police to ensure they don't go all the way over the river and in to Laos. I think they were selling the straw to someone from Laos hence it was being monitored

Wayne

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Day 2 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - part 2

I didn't stop at the Chiang Khan Skywalk as I was only there 2 months ago when my mother came over, so I thought it pointless to go again
It is however in my opinion a good place to go and visit.
You cannot take your own vehicles to the top. There is a car park at the bottom, there are also some kiosks when you buy your ticket to go up and get issued your red velvet slip over shoes, a bit like those CSI slips over.
Then you get on a large tuk tuk type vehicle and it takes you to the top


Where the River Hueang meets the River Mekong


The Mekong

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Day 2 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - part 3

I stopped at Tha Li for some food and then carried on
Another great day on the bike
The plan was to camp tonight but when I got to where the camp site was supposed to be I could not find it so I ended up in The White House guesthouse in Chiang Khan, N17.89348 E101.65114 not too far from Walking Street. I did a bit of a look see on Booking.com to see if there was any places with secure parking. Then I went to find them before booking. The first one I went to look at I could not find, so on to the second one, the lady there spoke really good English and when I asked her about the parking she said here, just in front of the guesthouse, I said no, so she said I could put my bike inside the foyer. Happy with that.






The River Hueang




The Mekong, just outside Chiang Khan








View from the rear of the guesthouse, The Mekong and Laos

Walking Street Chiang Khan









I found this nice little place selling craft ales





Wayne

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Day 3 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - part 1

It was very overcast all day and I did get a few spots of rain
However it was nothing to wet the roads and spoil the ride
Although getting wet is part of riding a motorcycle it’s better if it doesn’t!
I took the 211 from Chiang Khan on to the 242 into Nong Khai following the edge of the Mekong
The roads yet again were great with yet more twisties and ups and downs coupled with some stretches of dual carriageway
The Mekong looked very dry in some places especially early on after leaving Chiang Khan. It some places it looked like you could walk across into Laos

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Day 3 - Isaan's northern roads, following the Rivers Hueang & Mekong, Thailand - part 2

I stopped at Sangkhom for a coffee and some food, the couple running the food place spoke excellent English, they were both in the hotel trade in Hui Hin and Phuket before coming to settle in Sangkhom, the food was tasty
The Coffee Shop is at N 18.062849 E 102.275622 and 2 doors to the right as you're looking at the coffee shop is the food place.

I didn't follow the main drag into Nong Khai, I went on some smaller roads following the edge of the Mekong

When I got to Nong Khai I stopped at the Irish Bar on Walking Street and had a quick pint before going to the hotel

I stayed in the Asawann Hotel near the Asawann Shopping Complex. Rooms were good, breakfast great










My first view of Vientiane, Capital of Laos










The Irish Bar, Walking Street, Nong Khai

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