Route 105 & 108 best roads ever

4th Feb 17

Our last day of riding, 7am start long way to go. Our first stop was at a refugee camp for fugitives from certain tribes in Myanmar who have been persecuted by the government; 50,000 are housed in this camp alone. We all donated $10 and with the proceeds various food items were purchased and  handed over to the camp elders. We were not allowed in but some children squeezed through the fence..see the pics?

Off we went and the road came to us, smooth surface, undulating, good road markings and great flowing bends; we got into our rhythm, only broken by the odd tighter corner..we were able to maintain a good pace, such a difference to the roads in Myanmar. We covered 150kms in no time, we stopped for coffee  with another 200kms of this road still to come; definitely one of the best I’ve ridden anywhere!

Off we went again and after a few kms my heart sank; the road had turned to dirt and loose gravel..just happened to be on a twisty down hill section! Our previous “off-road” experience came in useful, thankfully tarmac started again a few kms later; apparently this stretch is on the border between 2 regions and there is disagreement over which should pay, so the road is just stays unfinished. We stopped for fuel at a quaint place where the lady serving turned a handle to get the petrol out of a drum and then it was gravity fed into the tank by a clear hose pipe.

We rode on and this road just kept going, not much traffic, just flowing corners; the pace got faster and faster, really great riding for such a long distance. By now the temperature was up in the 30s and we were tiring. The last 40kms into Chiang Mai was the worst, we hit traffic and stop lights then into the chaos of CM itself. Finally we arrived at base and I was glad to get off; 480kms today, at least 300+ kms of it on great roads. It made me realise how “sanitised ” Thailand is compared to Myanmar!

We were booked into an upmarket hotel..hot water and a great shower at last?

Last day in Chiang Mai

5th Feb 17

An opportunity for a lay in for a change? Spent the day with Jay. Full breakfast followed by a visit to the annual flower festival.. a bit like the Chelsea flower show, Thai style; including Spider-Man on a motorcycle covered in flowers and with a picture of the new king attached. Little man was was busking, playing Thai guitar and taping a drum with a stick held in his toes.

We popped into TBB shop and Jay booked out a Triumph Bonneville for a couple of days next week, he’s here till March, lucky guy.

Did my packing, Thai Red curry for dinner, a stroll round the night bazaar, few beers and off to bed ready for 8.30 taxi to the airport tomorrow and the long flight home to winter in UK. Oh well, was great while it lasted ?