June 2016 – Ramblings of a Singapore Biker Boy

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 9 to 11

The famous Mae Hong Son Loop starts from Chiang Mai and runs through Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Pai and back to Chiang Mai. With more than 1,800 bends, and almost 700km of awesome views, it's a motorcyclist's (and basically any traveller's) paradise! — The famous Mae Hong Son Loop starts from Chiang Mai and runs through Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Pai and back to Chiang Mai. With more than 1,800 bends, and almost 700km of awesome views, it’s a motorcyclist’s (and basically any traveller’s) paradise!

I was the only guest in the guesthouse, and so had the whole breakfast table to myself. Basic breakfast in a typical Thai guesthouse - bread, jam, coffee, and nothing much else. — I was the only guest in the guesthouse, and so had the whole breakfast table to myself. Basic breakfast in a typical Thai guesthouse – bread, jam, coffee, and nothing much else.

After breakfast, I took a short ride to the nearby Mae Pan Waterfall, or Namtok Mae Pan. Mae Pan Fall is the highest waterfall in Chiangmai and cascades down a cliff more than 100m high. So it must be real awesome, right? But when I arrived, I was the only vehicle on site, and the place looked eerily deserted. Doesn’t look very much visited here, and the sign says it’s a 500m walk to the waterfall. Not too bad, I thought.

Wrong!

It’s a 500m trekking trail. And although the path was rather clearly marked, Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 9 to 11”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 8

Yeah! I plan to commence the Mae Hong Son Loop today, doing it in the clockwise direction. I’ll head towards Doi Inthanon – the highest peak in Thailand, and then just stop along the way at any interesting spots. This is how I normally like to plan an adventure – without too much planning. Pick a destination, and head towards there; stopping along the way as deem fit.

But first, I had to familiarise myself with the area. So I fired up my laptop and did some basic research in the morning.

The Mae Hong Son Loop. Some serious research going on here... — The Mae Hong Son Loop. Some serious research going on here…

Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 8”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 7

I stayed in Chiang Mai for another night. Primarily because I found out that the Sunday Market was a must-visit, but also because the hotel had laundry facilities, and it was time to do some laundry. At highway speeds, my riding jacket has been the killing ground for bugs – especially butterflies, and so it’s time to freshen it up.

The hotel doesn’t have a kitchen and didn’t come with breakfast. So I went hunting for some Thai breakfast.

Found a food centre opened. Everything else was still closed at 0730h in the morning.

Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 7”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 6

Day 6 - Mae Sot to Chiang Mai. 360km — Day 6 – Mae Sot to Chiang Mai. 360km

Probably due to the bumpy Thai roads, the Bajaj Pulsar 200NS seem to be falling apart here and there. =(

The chain was loose (again!) this morning. With a little bit of effort, I managed to tighten it back up. It could have come loose because at the last adjustment, I was cautious of over-tightening the rear wheel axle nut. This time, I made sure the rear wheel axle nut is tight, really tight. After 2,700km of travelling, anything not tightened up properly is beginning to work its way out. I found 3 out of 4 bolts of the rear passenger grab bar coming loose. One has even worked its way out so much that it could have just dropped out anytime!

Great! As I’ll have to pass Tak again to get to Chiang Mai, so I thought I’m now all set to enjoy that mountainous twisty road I didn’t get to enjoy 2 days ago due to unpreparedness, rain, and low, low fuel. Wrong! Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 6”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 5

After 4 days of rather intense riding, I’ve decided to take things a little slow and confirmed my stay in Mae Sot for another night. With accommodation secured, I left most of the luggage in the hotel room, and travelled light, exploring Mae Sot and its surroundings.

First stop was Tararak Waterfall – an approximately 35min ride from where I stayed. Riding without the luggage was interestingly refreshing. The Pulsar 200NS felt like an agile and nimble bike all over again.

To Tararak. I just love the sound of that name. Tararak. Tararak... — To Tararak. I just love the sound of that name. Tararak. Tararak…

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The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 4

Day 4 - Ratchaburi to Mae Sot. 580km on the odometer. — Day 4 – Ratchaburi to Mae Sot. 580km on the odometer.

My accommodation in Ratchaburi was nice and clean, but it didn’t come with breakfast. Thankfully, I had that extra-large biscuit and 2 mangoes from the owner of the place I stayed in the night before. Oh! The mangoes were super sweet!

And so after breakfast, I did some bike maintenance – the chain Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 4”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 4 morning maintenance

Chain slack checked. Was kinda loose.

Also lubed the chain. It’s been 1,000km since I last lubed it 2 days ago. Silly me – I took the can and just sprayed. Then I was wondering why the lube felt so thin. Looked at the bottle and it says “chain cleaner”. Silly me!

Took the opportunity to inflate the tires too. Quick job with my electric air compressor.

Noticed my left hand MIC fog light had rattled loose. Nothing some basic tools cannot fix. Got it done.

Did a very short test ride and all seem okay for now. No rattle. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Oh… Good morning everyone!

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 3

Day 3's route. Some 800km from Thale Noi to Ratchaburi. — Day 3’s route. Some 800km from Thale Noi to Ratchaburi.

Yes, I’ve broken every rule I made before I started the trip. No more than 500km a day after Malaysia. Broken. No riding in the dark. Broken.

I did a somewhat iron-butt distance of 800km. On Thailand roads. This is no Malaysia NSHW – where the road conditions are generally very, very good. In Thailand, you quickly get from smooth, recently paved tarmac to pot-holes filled roads – so full of them that it’s practically impossible to avoid. Speaking of which, pot-holes aren’t the only things to avoid on the roads. Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 3”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 2

Today's route - approximately 360km including the border crossing. — Today’s route – approximately 360km including the border crossing.

I made it to Thailand! Left Penang at 8am this morning and reached the Malaysia-Thailand border approximately around 10am. Border crossing was a lot easier than I expected. Easy, but definitely alot more disorganised than, say, the Singapore-Malaysia border. Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 2”

The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 1

I slept really early last night. By 10pm, I was already in bed. I set my phone alarm to 0400h. I’m generally a morning person, so getting up early was not an issue. In fact, I wanted to beat the possible morning Causeway jam and also anticipated some delays as Malaysia was supposed to start implementing the VEP system today.

It was with mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation that I begun the trip. Is this trip even possible? What if the bike breaks down? Can I really reach Chiang Mai? I woke up before the alarm went off. 3:40am. And since most of my stuff were already packed, I left home at approximately 4:00am. The plan is to reach Penang by noon, and that will give me some time to roam the island and also to get withdraw some cash from the ATM machine there.

Singapore to Penang. Total time - approximately 9hrs. — Singapore to Penang. Total time – approximately 9hrs. Distance covered – 720km

Continue reading “The sgBikerBoy 2016 Trip – Day 1”