Is there a route through them Hills?

Post by **Franco** » January 30, 2008, 2:29 pm

Does anyone know of a dirt road or trail that connects the 2313 Nong Seng road to the 2315 Ubonrat Dam road. I know there is a range of hills that runs from the 210 down to Ubonrat but it would be nice to be able to cut across from where I live instead of travelling to Nong Bu Lam Phu or down the Koen Khan highway.

I've followed a few trails on my bike but they usually end up in some remote village or the route looks a bit dodgey to do with out a buddy for backup. I'm thinking some of the local farmers must know of a route. My internet not powerful enough to down load google earth. Anyone interested in an off road bike trip to find a way through? I think maybe about 20 - 30kms.

Post by **beer monkey** » January 30, 2008, 6:27 pm

It seems there is a route from nong saeng down to ubon-rat, click on the map then use the cursor to magnify the area you want, and you will see an unmarked road going down.
if you have a clearbright screen(laptop) you might need to look at the screen at and angle then it becomes clearer, but it is there.

Post by **Bump** » January 30, 2008, 10:48 pm

My best guess is no, the road shows on the map but my understanding is it was never completed.

Best be is the villagers and someone who can speak Thai, I've tried it as well and didn't find it so if you do share please.

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » January 30, 2008, 11:44 pm

ditto, have map that shows it, good map w/gps, and i still didn't find it.

if anyone figures it out, please share

Post by **beer monkey** » January 31, 2008, 12:26 am

So maybe Franco you should trade your bike in for a M-cross/Trials/Enduro Bike...who needs roads.

Incidently on the udon-map province map it shows only part of a road..but on my 2006 atlas map it shows full connecting route, albeit a few 'junctions' to change roads.

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » January 31, 2008, 10:09 am

Post by **Franco** » January 31, 2008, 10:11 am

Thanks again gents for your help, I've always found the maps a problem over here, they need those Ordinance Survey chaps over here for a few years to sort things out.

Going downtown today so I'll have another look at the maps, as Bump Say's need to take Thai person with me coz once out in the sticks all the signs seem to be just in Thai language and best bet is to ask the locals, I'll try and persuade the missus to come, but she scared of 'Bandits' , and 2 -3 hours in the saddle on bumpy roads not her idea of fun. Maybe jus take a compass and follow my nose west, plenty of trails leading off everywhere up there.

Post by **Pakawala** » January 31, 2008, 10:31 am

Franco, sounds like a fun trip. Wish I had something besides my 175 Boss Kaw.- I'd gladly join you. This is the same kind of riding I did for years in the Philippines where the maps were written in English but couldn't always be depended upon. Some advise I used in the PI, don't ask for directions to your ultimate destination. Just check the map then ask the directions to the next point located therein which is going in the right general direction. I found that many times the locals would say, "you can't get from A to Z from here." But they always knew the way to go from A to B and at B they knew the way to go to C, etc. Eventually you will find that you can actually go from A to Z.

Post by **Bump** » January 31, 2008, 11:53 am

In talking to one fo the guys out there I think it was at one time finished as a dirt road, but just disappeared with weather.

We did find a way to the park just outside of Udon with the views and waterfall, I can never remember the name of place. There is a cut over from Nong Wa Sau, starts out as a cement road then turns to dirt and then rough dirt roads. We did it with big bikes it would be a snap dirt bikes.

I wouldn't do it again with my bike, but it was really worth it. Just beautiful runs through rubber plantations, we found a mountain retreat for Monks up there,a really nice Wat hidden back in the country. The people in the area some very small villages seemed to be amazed at us being there.

There is also a Waterfall past Nong Wa Sau, more of section of rapids and it wa dry when we through, also some dirt roads.

So it was a good afternoon although very slow going.

Most everyhting runs in a loop one way or another

Post by **Franco** » January 31, 2008, 8:58 pm

Thanks again boys, my 750 Yamaha not the best for this sort of ride but ok if I take it easy, the best route looks south of Fu Foilom, at least looks like have some roads marked on the map.

Good time to go now after the recent rain, not so much dust about on the dirt roads, If I can get the missus to come along I'll have a look this weekend. Like you say Bump, just 5 or 10kms off the main highway looks like a different world up there.

Post by **FrazeeDK** » February 1, 2008, 8:51 am

Google Map shows one twisty trail connecting 2315 east to 2313. It appears about 2.5km south of Ban Non Wai which is on 2315 with Non Saeng. The road immediately west from Non Saeng is marked with the initials on the map in Thai as Raw Paw Saw(??). I'm not surprised there aren't any good roads as that north south granite ridge from near Udon all the way down to the Ubol Rat Dam is very narrow and very tall. If this road exists it'll probably be a bear to get across..

heres the Google MAP link: [url]http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl[/url Just type in UdonThani.. It's a lot less bandwidth intensive than Google Earth..

Post by **Franco** » February 1, 2008, 11:48 am

Thanks FrazeeDK,

successfully loaded Googlemap, can now see the marked route, jus the one, confirming all other posts, looks very twisty and not too direct, easy to make mistakes by the look of things.

As I thought, starts near Fu Foilum, I've bin nosin around there before, there is one or two gas extraction plants up there with some Western guys working there, maybe they can give us a clue.

Post by **Roadman** » February 1, 2008, 3:17 pm

Franco

Go to this site here.
It is the best and most comprehensive maps that I have found.

Just keep clicking into the map grid area you are after.

http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/sea-ao.html

Post by **beer monkey** » February 1, 2008, 5:52 pm

Roadman wrote:Franco

Go to this site here.
It is the best and most comprehensive maps that I have found.

Just keep clicking into the map grid area you are after.

http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/sea-ao.html

Great map very good detail,and its the only map i have every seen with the Wifes Home Village on it.
Thanks Roadman.

Post by **eastbaybob** » February 2, 2008, 10:21 am

On my last trip to Thailand I rode my bicycle on day from Udon to Ubonrat. I took the 210 to the 2315 and followed it until it became a dirt road and climbed a hill. The road stayed dirt for many kms but it impossible to get lost or anything, then you hit the 2146 and pavement again.

The story and some pics can be found here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page ... 44265&v=3i

Post by **Aardvark** » February 2, 2008, 12:30 pm

A shame there were'nt more pics Bob, I was rather enjoying that

Post by **Bump** » February 2, 2008, 2:03 pm

Well sounds like I have to try that one again

Post by **Garnet** » February 2, 2008, 11:51 pm

I agree with the previous two posters -- a good little narrative there, Bob! If you do happen to have more photos posted elsewhere, let us know.

I was quite an avid cyclist for maybe 30 years until roughly the current decade, when the negative and dangerous incidents I'd experienced, combined with the vast increase in traffic around here where I live, conspired to convince me to set aside my wheels.

If I ever manage to live outside of a city environment one day, I sure wouldn't mind easing back into the activity.

Good luck in whatever you tackle in the future!

Post by **Franco** » February 3, 2008, 11:44 am

Thanks To Roadman and Bob, more useful information and good pics.

Too wet this weekend so maybe next.

Post by **eastbaybob** » February 3, 2008, 10:23 pm

Aardvark,

On the first day of the tour I was more interested in just surviving rather than taking pictures. I need to work on that.

If you are interested and have some spare time, I have five other journals for rides in Thailand, the majority of which take place in the NE, they can be found here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/director ... aybob&v=Az

Take care,

Bob

Is there a route through them Hills?

Is there a route through them Hills?

Great Views!