We rented bikes for our ride and treated myself to a Kawi DTracker 250. I could have rented a BMW 650 GS for gobs of money, but out here that is overkill and certainly way too much when Ali was on a 110 cc scooter.
My ride was tall, fun, nimble and very easy on gas. It was like a reliable version of my KTM.
The rest of the gangs got scooters which meant waiting for everyone at the top of the hills. (Although Ali handled the turns in a way I didn't know people could do on scooters!)
On our fifth day Jim and I went out exploring on unmarked roads to see if we could make a loop to Sappong. This allowed for us to spend time with buffaloes!
As our road deteriorated into nothing we came to a river with no bridge. Scooters can do river crossings as Jim would later prove.
The water buffalo were not too impressed though.
Eventually the road turned into a rice field. That is where we decided to turn back.
On our way back we found 100's of fish gathering on their own at the river. Turns out the local monks blessed them and now feed them. So the locals don’t eat them and the fish just hang out in this tiny section of the whole river.
I definitely put the 250 thru its paces and the rear tire would show it. I would not be able to finish the ride without a new tire.
We found a local shop to put a new tire. Our mechanic handled a new tire into that rim with nothing else other than a pair of spoons and jumping up and down on the new tire like a monkey. He was the leader of the local dirt riding club and all around a cool cat.
Good thing I got new rubber. I would scrub it from edge to edge on our way back to Chiang Mai. The twisties were so much fun I didn’t get around to taking any other pictures. Those who ride will understand ;)
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