Thailand Umphang Trail

The Umphang Trail northwards has to be one of the best trail rides to be had in Thailand, here is the story of my first attempt with a group of friends on this spectacular two night ride.

Thanks to Pounce for some of the pictures.

Myself and Pounce made the ride down to Kanchanaburi to begin the ride, we decided on taking the minor roads passing the West side of the Srinakarind Reservoir along the way, it has an interesting ferry boat.

The trail along this area is graded most of the way so no drama's apart from when my bike mysteriously packed in after a rutted section, after some poking and cutting a connection had come apart and we continued on our way. The ride along the Khao Laem reservoir is a nice scenic ride for a sports bike lover.

First job was to get my tyres changed i had posted down to Sangklaburi, here is the mechanics son helping open the package

Pre ride dinner.

A cold and misty start as we prepared the bikes for the off.

Phil looking like he enjoyed the cold water shower at the Guest House.

Finally on the trail and looking pretty dry.

Until this, Phil having a sinking moment.

One of the many water crossings that set the theme for the ride, each one got progressively more difficult.

Pounce making short work of this one.

Oop's we have a man down !!!!

NO this is not the same picture, Phil take THREE !

Pounce doing some mid trail pull up's, well one anyway.

My KLX having a rest (one of many).

Not sure whats they are looking for, maybe a lost wallet :-)

Everyone still smiling.

Some of the interesting single track.

Slippy crossing

This downhill was a nightmare for me and my short legs.

The rafting section, beautiful place to ponder.

Phil hoping for a Kodak moment.

Maybe this was it....

Pounce looking nervous.

Smiling locals watching the show.

Think this was his dad's old shirt.

Nat having one of his very few slip's.

First night stop in a small Karen village.

Pounce in fancy dress.

Making new friends.

Next morning was a real mixture of some pretty nasty stuff.

Me letting the KLX have a lie down.

Slippy stuff

Nat bird watching

2nd night in the rangers station was great fun, nice cold showers too !!

Phil getting settled for the night.

Phil snoring loudly at 7.30am all ready for his return ride back at 7.30 am....pity none of us had thought to record his snores, it was like an AK47.

Local chap happy in his work chopping beetle nut's.

Wanna see some puppies little kid's !!!

A Mona Lisa smile, or maybe he was just thinking of all the ladies having no underwear as we had been told by Jack our guide.

Beautiful.

After noodles and group hugs with Jack and Nat it was time to go our separate ways and myself and Pounce went off in search of more missing links and the end of our two day adventure to Umphang.