Nan Trip With The “Grinder Boys”
Nan Province | Cool Season | 570 KM Ride | 2 Days
(January 2015) A fun and silly ride with the “Grinder Boys”. This was a really fun trip, but the boys (who normally ride bikes with much more power ) found the trip a bit of a slog on 250cc bikes. It was great that they did this trip on bikes that matched mine, though. Very grateful for that!
As an aside, the guys on the trip became affectionately known as “The Grinder Boyz”, mainly because one of them decided to play a trick on one of the guys by uploading his pic on the Grinder app. (Grinder is a gay dating app). Yes, childish I know, but pretty funny all the same. So, the name stuck.
The guys on this trip are experienced riders, really experienced. So for them the pace was a doddle, and thus the antics that came about were pretty fun. Had a giggle the whole trip.
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Contents
Thailand Iconic Roads in the North
Big Bike Tours Recce Ride 2
5 Days 7 Provinces Loop
Border Ride. N.West to N.East – Northern Thailand.
Day 1. Chiang Mai to Nan
The ride out. We started from a meeting point outside of Chiang Mai City centre. I had a small bag, but the guys seemed to have packed everything but their kitchen sinks…!
The pace was around 120/130km and so we did ok for time. But of course, that’s because we cant go any faster!
We kept going till we hit Sabaai Dee Coffee shop in Phayao, for a break and a cool down.
Sabaai Dee Coffee Shop
A couple of other riders had joined up with us at this point, and would head to Nan with us also.
After coffee, it was a direct ride to Nan.
The R1148
The 1148 is considered to be one of the best riding roads in the region, and although I enjoyed it, I found it not quite as twisty as I normally like. Or maybe my bike just doesn’t have enough power for these kinds of sweeping curves. Would be a good one to try on a bike with more power.
The weather was good to us though. Not too hot and not a drop of rain.
Arrived Nan
In Nan, we hung up our helmets at S.P. Guesthouse. A nice friendly inexpensive guesthouse, which seems to be a favorite with riders due to the secure parking.
Nan at Night
After a short rest, we met up again and headed out. Our first stop was the huge night market.
The market was a bit too overwhelming for a few of us, so half of the group went around the market and the rest of us headed off for a quiet drink at a local biker bar.
I pretty much called it a night fairly early and headed off back to the guesthouse with the only other girl on the trip, my good friend Tik. Boys will be boys, as they say, because the guys stayed out for hours, drinking the night away.
End of day 1
Day 2. Back to Chiang Mai
As I was in bed at a more reasonable hour it was easy for me to get up early so I was packed up and ready to set off at the time we had all planned. Except, the boys were nowhere in sight!
When they did finally emerge from the rooms a little later, they actually didn’t seem too worse for wear. I guess they are just used to it! So, after they got themselves together they packed up, geared up, checked out, and headed off for breakfast.
Breakfast in Nan
I find the photo that was taken at the breakfast place pretty funny.. because the tallest man in the group on the right, was standing next to the shortest lady in our group – comical height difference.
After breakfast, we set off towards Chiang Mai.
I took the waterfall route and within moments could hear the gushing of water (which was wonderful, considering how dry everywhere currently is!).
Rural Route
So this time we headed back via a different route, which I was enjoying much more than the more famous 1148 route. It was much more twisty. We hit an area of roadworks with lots of gravel and sticky tarmac, but apart from that section the rest of the route was absolutely stunning with roads in great condition. At one point we were all low on fuel (spitting feathers!) and had a bit of a panic to find a fuel pump. I spied one on a roadside thankfully, and were saved.
Lunch In Phayao
We made a pit stop in Phayao and ended up meeting a group of friends who were just back from a lengthy tour. I had no idea they would be there, so was a nice coincidence.
We had lunch together and shared some stories, and then headed off back to Chiang Mai.
Arrived Chiang Mai
By the time we arrived in Chiang Mai, the sun was already setting, and was really quite beautiful.
– End of Ride
Video
This trip with the “Grinder Boys” will stick in my mind as one of the most fun I have ever had. Thanks Boys!
I hope you enjoyed this Nan trip report.
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