The route 1089, 1314, 1130, 1016, 4010

Total distance 164 km

I take the 1089 to Mae Ai then its a left to ride up along the border on the 1314

A good twisty road

I take a turn for the Tad Luang waterfall and have to ride this unpaved track for about 200 metres

I shouldnt have bothered as I could only see this between the trees

Back on the 1314 and some views from the Thai Army camp at the top

I dont know what it says but theres a dirt track heading in the direction of the border

I ride down the dirt track for about 200 metres

This guy is there with his strimmer

Further along the 1314 I take a left onto a new dirt road that looks like its is being prepared for a paved surface that goes to this Thai Army camp at N20.04.941 E099.20.340

The road under construction

I ride back to the 1314 and this is the sign at the entrance to the Army Camp

I get back to the 1089 in Tha Ton then further east I take a left onto the 1130 to explore this new road for me

Its steep, narrow and twisty

I take a right to visit the Mae Phen reservoir

This track goes through the water but I have no desire to ride through

This Lady walks through carrying her load

From here I ride to the other side of Mae Chan to visit a friend

Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 291 km

On the 1089 towards Doi Mae Salong

In Doi Mae Salong it seems the Shin Sane is still a bargain, I looked in here before 2 or 3 years ago but the fact there was no internet in town put me off staying here but today I saw the Shin Sane had the internet, so maybe in the future

Riding through Doi Mae Salong I noticed German Joe with some others and then after catching up with a group of 650 Kawasakis being led by an Africa Twin I realised this must be Road Captain Peter as I heard they were on a tour.
It was and we chatted at a junction as he waited for the others to catch up, then off we went on our separate ways

I take a left onto the 4052 and stop at a block manufacturing plant

I have laid thousands of the infernal things but never seen them made before, its certainly more pleasant watching them being made than laying them

I pick one up but its not yet fully set and falls apart in my hands, I dont think I will make the grade as a brickie out here

The broken ones go back in the mix, no wastage here

Time to see how far this lovely asphalt road goes now as last trip I rode to the end of it then turned around at the start of the dirt

Its a lovely surface and is showing promise

Stunning scenery around here

I am a lot further along than last trip and still on asphalt and theres a village up there in those hills

Plenty of coffee out drying today

I ride towards a waterfall but the paved surface finishes at N20.21.895 E099.28.147 and its a very narrow high track that looks dodgy ahead so I give it a miss

A

While I was taking the previous picture of the road this large bird lands in the tree making the branch sag towards the road.
I snapped this photo on maximum zoom and walked closer to get a better shot but the bird quickly flew off

In flight

There it is perched up in the tree

Off again

A bit of rainy season damage to the road

The water has bored a hole underneath the road surface

I ride back until N20.18.150 E099.34.069 where I take a left onto a dirt track

A lovely track thats not too difficult

More fantastic scenery

I meet a few workers along this track

I can see a village through the trees

Now in the village

I return to the paved surface at N20.19.115 E099.36.404

I take a left to ride a concrete track to the Burma border and its welcome here according to the sign

The checkpoint

I was asked for ID so gave my Thai driving licence then this soldier said he needed my photo so I said okay but I want yours too

It was a bit pointless going in really as its only about 50 metres to this checkpoint and the Thai soldier there said no admittance

This girl certainly left her smile at home today

This spelling of Thoed Thai never fails to make me laugh

Tea leaves drying, whilst converting coffee into piss is one of my specialities I cannot stand tea

Time to ride back

I visit the Buddah that I could see from the road its at N20.14.084 E099.39.678

A quick look around the grounds

Along the 1234/1089

No the KLX didnt go across that

Food at Uncle Jacks again tonight, 100 Baht and I was full

Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 133 km

Heading west out of Fang on the backroad that goes to Doi Ang Khang and the potholes are being filled in with concrete

Orange growing country out here

I stumble across the men at work

I wont try crossing that on the KLX

I take a left and meet the newly surfaced road towards Doi Ang Khang and decide to follow it to see how far the new surface goes, at the checkpoint I am shown straight through which is unusual and the sign with the opening times has gone

The Burmese camp at the top

A bit foggy and chilly up here this morning

Unbelieveably the whole length has been repaired and resurfaced

Its a shame about the loose gravel which spoils an otherwise lovely ride

I ride as far as the checkpoint at the top of the hill past the Burmese camp and then turn around, I hadnt really planned on riding up here this far but kept going to check on the surface.
When I rode down last holiday I said there was no pleasure in riding it again as the surface was gone and I never expected to see it fully repaired like this

As you can see, its very steep and it could do with the road sweeper driving along here

Back at the bottom and a bit of colour

The Maw Mao reservoir

In all my visits here I have never seen this reservoir full to capacity and considering the amount of rain this year this reservoir appears to be quite low

Some work going on at the bottom

These photos dont do justice to the amount of water seeping through the rock in a few places

The entrance to the outlet appears to be locked

I ride around exploring a few new roads

I ride along a road that is actually numbered, the 3030 and it goes to Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park

This reservoir is at the checkpoint and from the overflow you cant see the water as its well low, this is the second low one around here, perhaps its the large amounts of water being used to irrigate the oranges thats to blame for the low water levels

The surface turns to unmade at the checkpoint at N19.57.879 E099.11.823 and apart from a couple of short concrete section stays an unmade surface that ranges from hard packed to bulldust to loose

I stop in a village for some photos

At N19.58.984 E099.11.039 is the car park from where you can walk to a cave but sod climbing up there today

They are concreting a section here and if the whole road is done it will be a big improvement

At the camp ground at the peak at N20.02.693 E099.08.727and it was a steep climb thats for sure

A couple of shots from the viewpoint but not a good view today

I had an idea that water would be cold and it certainly was

These tents are for rent should anyone wish to stay up here

Someone has rode up on one of these

Do these 200cc Lifans have a rear disc brake as standard or is this a modification?

Probably the most reliable bike of the three

These were cooking and the tents were being packed away as they were heading back to Chiang Rai and Mae Chan

On the way up the road deviated from what was on my gps, on the way down I followed the track on my gps and it was this dirt track

I had to go through that narrow gate

This place is now on the track and I dont think they really want people riding through here

I try to ride through but theres a locked gate at the other end and I have to ride back

From here I ride back to Fang

A new restaurant for tonights food, another buffet restaurant at N19.55.327 E099.12.975

129 Baht here

Ice cream included

Get the gdb file here …

The route 107, 4244, 3037/8, 1178, 3001, 3004,

Total distance 229 km

I head south out of town then take a right onto the 4244 and as I stop to peruse the map these people stop to ask me where I am going.
That was a difficult one to answer as I really had no idea myself as this was totally new territory for me today

The whole family at work and play out in the fields

The 4244 was a hit and miss surface but with some good twisty bits

I stop in a village and theres a bit of music playing so something is going on

These American missionaries were staying here for a few days and whilst these ones werent pushing religion at me another one was.
I think telling her I was an atheist only made matters worse and she even insisted on saying a prayer for me.
If some people want to dress up in their best clothes on a sunday, go to church and talk to their imaginary friend thats up to them, as long as its not around me and I am not expected to join in

As I leave the village there is a blue sign saying the road is now the 3038 so a bit of confusion as the gps says the 4244 and later on the 3037

I ride to where the gps shows the surface as unmade and it is now asphalt that is the best surface along this road so I guess its not been down too long

At this reservoir there is evidence of the road having been completely submerged

A bit further and it is submerged, I think someone has got their calculations a bit wrong as its a good idea to have the reservoir overflow lower than the road, here I have to take a detour as I am not about to find out how deep that is

I emerge back on the road about 200 metres from where it disappeared into the water only to discover that there is now no paved surface only a dirt track.
I am at N19.37.904 E099.02.446 and realising that the asphalt surface finished somewhere under the water I am doubly glad I didnt try going through it

This is now the surface

At N19.37.724 E099.01.867 the surface returns to asphalt and its a nice ride to the 1178

I turn right onto the 1178 and ride northwards taking a right signposted for the Muang Na Nua Cave.
This is now a paved surface until the checkpoint at N19.45.581 E098.53.798, here I dont expect to be allowed to ride any further but they ask for ID, I give them my Thai driving licence and I am allowed to ride on

Its a hard packed good surface and 1.2 km later the camp is at N1945.946 E098.53.709

Back just a bit and where my gps shows me I am on the border a ditch has been dug and this is what I can see, I dont bother getting off and investigating though

I ride back down the 1178 and take a left onto the 3038

A good asphalt surface for virtually all the way

At N19.38.776 E098.59.802 the surface turns to unmade for 600 metres until I get back to the 4244

I only stay on the 4244 for a short while then take a right to finish off exploring these new roads for me today.
Not far down here my gps shows a reservoir to my right so I ride off to find it

These are the only people here at the reservoir that are not washing their clothes in it

I have heard people say that freshwater fish tastes muddy, I reckon anything caught in here probably tastes soapy

That bags full of wet laundry and as I ride past their house the clothes are being hung out on the washing line to dry

I ride on and the surface turns to dirt

Then its this new section of concrete for a while

Then this

But great scenery all the way

I reach the 107, turn left and ride towards Fang then take a left onto the 3001

At N19.39.389 E099.06.260 there is this supposedly very deep pool

Riding along the 3001 and the potatoes are being harvested

That looks a lot easier than digging them up by fork like I do at home, mind you that machine isnt going down very deep and if I only dug mine up from that depth most of them would remain in the soil.
The soil here looks much nicer than lots of places

Uncle Jacks tonight at N19.55.562 E099.13.269 and its the first time here for me

I ask for extra fries and onion as I dont want the vegetables and this filling nice meal was 99 Baht

Get the gdb file here …

I pass through a few villages on this road which parallels the 109 about 4 km apart

This Lady is busy putting the wood out to dry

Watched by her faithful dog

I come to a fork in the road and ask these people if I can get to Mae Suai on this road, I am told no I have to go back to the 109.
I decide to take the right fork for a look around, its now a concrete road until N19.49.763 E099.18.053 where it turns to dirt

I ride through a small village to their dam at N19.49.767 E099.18.238

Its full and overflowing

One of the village girls turns up to do her washing

In with the powder and off she goes

I ride on past the dam and take a track to the right wondering if it would take me back to the 109 but I only ride for a short way and decide to see if I can find a track in from the 109

This is looking in the direction that I need to go and it doesnt look very well used

I ride back to where the people told me no way through and take the other fork, this is just an unmade dirt track from the fork and I ride up to where I can overlook the reservoir, take a photo then ride back to the 109

On the 109 and some lovely bends along this road.
I make two attempts at trying to join up my previous new track but the first one although getting off to a promising start and being paved from the 109 until N19.48.124 E099.18.161 then quickly turns to a narrow single track and turning the bike around would have been difficult by myself so I turn back.
The second attempt seemed to go in the wrong direction, I will try again in the future as I saw other tracks before my first attempt but couldnt be bothered to go back and try them

Up high it starts raining off and on for a while and its not the most pleasant of days weather wise, cold and wet, not nice

A bit further on and a nice road slip

Further on and a big land slip

I certainly wouldnt want to run into this boulder

A passing car for size comparison

On the 3037 and first stop was the Mae Suai dam

A lovely sight, white water flowing down, it reminds me of the overflowing reservoirs I visited in Wales three years ago

The view down from the top

A bit further up the hill and looking back at the reservoir

That ones quite a stern looking one

The surface turns to this for a while, not the best but thankfully it soon returns to a good asphalt surface

I wonder whether this bridge was a victim of the flooding or is just being improved, as its my first time along this road I have absolutely no idea

Certainly no complaints about the scenery along here

Lots of these lovely twisty sections today

As I reach the river I ponder on whether to turn left and take the 6039 then the 4016 back to Fang or get on the 1089, I chose the 1089 much to my regret.
I got as far as Mae Ai where all traffic was stopped and I was directed into a small area where other bikes were.
His Majesty The King was arriving soon so they said and no traffic was using the road in any direction.
Once all the escort and Royal vehicles passed we were let go and in my haste to get going I somehow stalled the bike catching myself completely off balance and ending up in a heap under the bike right in front of a very large crowd of people.
Once up I quickly restarted and departed as quickly as possible minus some skin off of my right shin which is a bit painful but I guess it could have been worse.
Now why didnt I try out that quiet 6039 and 4016 two roads that I have not rode before

I get back to Fang only to find Birds Bar is closed and I am not really in the mood for hunting down restaurants right now so the Colonel feeds me tonight, 157 Baht and I was full

Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 344 km

Fang is a lovely peaceful place that I enjoy a short stay at, I had an early night last night and woke at 5.30 this morning fully refreshed so it was on with the kettle and two large mugs of fresh coffee later I decided to do the long ride.
I left at about 7.20 and as Fang is often cold and foggy it was tracksuit bottoms and pullover on.
It was a cold start with fog for a fair way off and on, the first few photos are from the 107

Just past the turn for the 1150 I take a right onto the 3002 and a new road for me

The cabbage pickers are busy

Now I am on the 1322

This is one good fun road with a clean surface

This is what we like

On top of a hill I can see the clouds below

Zoomed in

I wouldnt want to crash into this km marker

I stay on the 1322 and ride up to the border

It looks totally deserted on the Burmese side

The old border crossing that looks like it hasnt been used in ages

I spot this new Buddah that I dont remember seeing on my previous trip a few years ago

Then its backtrack a few km then take a left onto the 1178 and a dusty track to start with

This lot appear to be swimming, washing and doing their washing here

I have only ever rode along here once before and I cant remember if it was on the Phantom or the Bm but either way the KLX is probably the best choice for this road

The scenery is just magnificent

This road seems similar to my last ride with a mixture of a dusty stony track and asphalt, I am now on the longer asphalt section

Since I last rode here the asphalt has been extended a fair way and the really rough length that I was expecting is a proper good asphalt surface, perhaps now they will do the entire length like this

I spot this pig and here I turn left at N19.44.090 E098.49.965 on a road that doesnt show on my map, the road goes about 1 km then splits, the right fork is surfaced until N19.44.497 E098.49.760 and here is an agricultural project.
The left fork is asphalt until N19.44.443 E098.49.639 and then carries on as a track with two wide concrete strips for 1.3 km until N19.44.805 E098.49.360 where it becomes a dirt track which I ride for 200 metres to N19.44.846 E098.49.260

Along the concrete strip road

This was about halfway along the concrete strip road

Here was where I rode to, I was hoping the track would go to the border but from here there were only small overgrown narrow trails and I didnt bother

Some work going on here

Now time for a leisurely ride down with photos, I didnt want to stop too much on the way up in case it was a restricted area and I was told to go back but I saw no one

The concrete strip road that was easy to ride on

These buffaloes were enjoying their bath until I stopped to photograph them then they decided to get out and leave

Back to the asphalt surface and the helicopter landing pads are here

Animals of all sorts here

I soon make a new friend

Time to ride on and after getting back on the 1178 theres another short dusty rocky section then its back to permanent asphalt

With lovely bits like this

As I turn left onto the 1340 I notice this lake, am I losing my memory as I dont remember it from before?

More fantastic scenery along the 1340

The workers are busy at a good viewpoint

The view from here

I appear to have woken this dog from its slumber

A shot from the other side then its a ride back to Fang after a good long days ride in a great area

PP Barbeque for tonights meal at N19.55.839 E099.13.489

Lots of bacon, mushrooms, cabbage and onions were consumed by me

The price of 159 Baht includes ice cream plus all soft drinks and juices, you only have to pay extra for beer and whiskey

Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 187 km

After 22 nights in Chiang Mai where I met up with some old friends and met some new ones it was time to move out and start this trips tour.
Here the KLX is all loaded up for the trip, the tyres were inflated for two up riding and the load was handled perfectly well

On the 1001 and this fella had just been hit, I moved him to the grass but a recovery didnt appear to happen

At Phrao I took a left onto the 1150 for a few km then took a right to ride the scenic 1346

I had never noticed this water outlet before and stopped to look around

A small lake with water running into it

Smoke from burning isnt what we really want to see around these parts

This Lady is busy beating away to get the seeds out

The crop

While the cat just lays idly by

Great scenery along here

Plus a good fun twisty surface

The pannier frames work perfectly well and nothing gets burnt on the exhaust, I reach the 107 and ride in to Fang checking in at the Wiang Kiew Hotel at N19.55.289 E099.12.853.
My usual room is 150 Baht with private toilet and shower but cold water only

Food at Birds Bar at N19.54.894 E099.12.466, 100 Baht for the meal

Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 123 km

I ride out from Fang northwards along the 1089 to Thaton, here just past the left turn for the 1314 I take a left to ride up a steep road to find this temple that I spotted on the previous days trip

Certainly a lot of sunflowers up here

At the back there are some other monuments

Plus something else under construction

The impressive structure that I saw from the 1314

As I park up this rather large bug walks over and hides under the shade of my bike

It is located at N20.03.897 E099.21.129 and the sign says its called Chedi Kaew

I cant stand back far enough to get it all in one photo

Time to walk around inside

No real people yet, just dummies

Finally upstairs I see some real live people

I am now right up the top

A stunning view from up here, overlooking Thaton

A Burmese camp on the hill

As I leave I follow a road out the back which leads to this statue at N20.04.240 E099.21.300

A view of Chedi Kaew from here

Also a good view from up here

Time to ride on and just past Thaton the oranges are getting lots of water on them

I dont take the left for Mae Salong and ride straight on, its been a few years since I rode along here and I forgot just how enjoyable it was with this great scenery
I ride to Mae Chan then take the 1016 for about ten km then take a left onto the 4010 to visit David Learmouth who has invited me to visit and stay a couple of nights

One of Davids prize porkers enjoying dinner, Davids wife Fon cooked a lovely meal and some more of Davids friends came along too but I never took any more photos of the evening.

Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 231 km

It wasnt a good start to this morning, I plugged my kettle in to boil some water for my morning coffee only to get a flash as my kettle blew up.
I rode to Tesco Lotus at 7am to buy a new one only to find they didnt open until 9am, luckily I found someone at the hotel who was only to happy to provide plenty of boiling water

Full of coffee and well dressed up with tracksuit bottoms and pullover on underneath my Airflow gear I ride off along the 1089 on a cold foggy morning, stopping in Thaton for these photos the fog has now lifted, looking downstream

Looking upstream and its a much brighter sky

I ride back towards Fang then very quickly take a right onto the 1314 and as I start to climb the temperature quickly drops again

I see this to my right but it is on another road and is for another days trip

I have always enjoyed riding along this road

Fantastic isnt it?

Theres still a lot of low cloud to my right over in Burma

I ride up to an Army camp at N20.04.655 E099.18.479 and they say no photos which is a shame as its a very good viewpoint

I manage to get two sly ones, quite why no photos I dont know

A little further on and its a right onto an unnumbered road that follows the Burmese border and leads to the two big roadslips

There appears to be slightly less loose gravel along this road then when I last rode here

Another Army camp

Here they are happy to allow photos

I cant believe that its eight years ago when I first discovered this road on my first motorbike ride around Thailand

Further on and I see signs of civilisation

Theres even people out there in the field

With a supply of running water

To my amazement I spot a new toilet block, I thought that the authorities were trying to dissuade people from travelling along here not encourage it

I guess thats the check bin of all the parts

Western

Plus Thai

All with a water supply that was working

As I am amazed at the toilets I am even more surprised when some Thai birdspotting tourists from Bangkok drive down and stop to talk, they are staying at a camp further along towards the roadslips

Then another car load come by

A bit further on I stop to talk with three Westerners from Hungary who are also here birdspotting, I asked them how they know about this road and apparently its being advertised in some birdspotting magazines as a good place to come to for their hobby

They drove off but the dogs stayed

Magnificent scenery

A couple of camps inside Burma

Just short of the roadslips are more birdspotters

420.000 Baht for this camera. I had quite a long chat with this gentleman as he is from Malaysia and when I said I wanted to visit in late january he was happy to tell me all about it

Roadslips ahead

With all the tourists now using this road I had hopes of seeing these filled in but I guess that is somerthing that is never going to happen

I ride safely across and the view looking back

Now down the bottom and I am at the back of the Mae Mao reservoir

I ride back to my hotel but its only 2pm so I decide to explore a new road for me

I ride out towards Chai Prakarn then take a right onto the 1249 and I ride in in an unusual direction for me

I take a left onto the 1340 heading towards Arunothai

This is a well surfaced twisty road

I notice a man up in a tree

Between Ang Khang and Arunothai there is a left turn for an unnumbered road that I have never rode along before so today I try it out

To start with its a terrible pot holed road but after about one km the surface gets better for a short while then its a hit and miss road with lots of loose debris all over the place, not a road that I will be rushing to try again

The scenery is just great though all the way

As I ride into this village I know exactly where I am as I rode to here from Chai Prakarn last year

I take a left onto the 3001 and ride towards Fang parallel with the 107

Some spraying taking place out in the fields

I have never seen one of those being used for this purpose before

The 3001 reaches the 1249 and I do a left for about half a km then take a right still on the 3001, at a junction I take the left fork and now I am on the 3004.
Along here I stop at this temple

These three very cheerful kids are playing there and letting off fireworks, from here I ride the 3004 until it reaches the 107, I turn left and ride home

I try out a new for me Korean style buffet restaurant as my usual one in the town has closed down

This one is at N19.55.842 E099.13.493 and is about one km past Uncle Jacks Hideaway heading out of town

119 Baht for eat all you can.
Get the gdb file here …

Total distance 280 km
After three weeks in Cnx it was time to start off on another around Thailand trip, so this morning with 91446 km on the clock the Phantom and I headed out.
I took the 1001 to Phrao then left onto the 1150

Just out of Phrao I spot this, it seems that all religions are well catered for in Thailand

A few km out and its the start of a lovely twisty road

I notice some water running down a concrete overflow to my right so turn to look and find this small reservoir that I never knew existed, it doesnt show on my gps

As I ride further along the 1150 the scenery just gets better

Chiang Dao in the distance, I ride to the 107, turn left and after about five km take a right onto the 1178

Not far past the Rim Doi resort and I spot this at N19.27.321 E098.57.895

Something to have a good look around in the future

I take a right onto the 1340 and ride to Arunothai spotting this old building as I ride through

I take a left in town and ride to the border noticing that according to my gps the road is actually inside Burma for a short while along the journey

The same as last trip, its closed

A well laden Phantom

There are a lot of these scattered around this area

A shot of the 1340 on the way towards Doi Ang Khan

Everytime that I have stopped here there has always been a small market here but today its completely deserted

But what a fantastic view

The road snakes through the trees ahead of me

Its looking a bit misty in the hills and as I climb higher its getting noticeably colder

I am now on the descent towards Ban Nor Lae on an unnumbered road, as I am nice and early I want to find out what time the road is open tomorrow from the back of Fang back up this road

The Burmese army camp on the hill taken from the check point barrier, there are no opening times on the barrier anymore and the guard asks if I want to ride to see the army camp.
I reply yes so he gets on the radio and a couple of minutes later I am on my way

Its been at least two years since I last rode along here and the road is now a disaster in places

Its worse than it looks in the picture

I have never seen it this overgrown before and I guess that this road is now not used so much

At times its like I am on a path through the woods

This is part of the steep descent and it was real tricky and very slow going getting down for part of the way

My advice is dont do it this way on a road bike, even on a dual purpose bike it will be be a bit tricky, if I ride this way again it will definitely be in the opposite direction.
I guess this road is never going to be repaired and at this rate parts of it will be gone soon

At least I am back to tarmac again , the roads nothing special but the scenery makes up for it

Back to narrow overgrown again

I round a corner and its sunflowers galore

Plus a running stream, what more could I ask for?

The scenery stays magnificent all the way, I take a right turn and eventually meet the 3015 where I take a left to visit the Mae Mao Dam

I really like this picture with the clouds reflecting in the water but it was taken more by accident than design, I just took a scenery shot without much thought as is usual for me and it wasnt until I posted it that I appreciated its appearance

The reservoir is a lot fuller than for some time

A view downriver from the dam, I ride into town checking into my usual hotel the Wieng Kaew at N19.55.290 E099.12.854

Then its off to eat at Birds Bar, I have this plus an extra portion of fries for 130 Baht, Birds Bar is at N19.54.893 E099.12.468

As its a tuesday its Fangs street market, I go for a wander around

Something at this stall caught my eye, I cant think what it was though.

Get the gdb file here …