Bob on a Valley Spokesmen Ride in Thailand 2005

Our Northern Loop (Orange Line)

January 21 - Uttaradit to Phrae - Our 5th riding day was only 46 miles with one significant climb about halfway through the ride. The rest of ther ride was either downhill or with a tail wind. The day started out with a shower so we waited until after 09:00 to start. We got a little wet from the road, but it dried out pretty fast. Weather was 70's to about 90. We're starting to see jungle now. It looks a lot like Costa Rica. At the top of the climb, we stopped at an overlook and had snacks and Thai coffee. Yummy!

Our hotel tonight, The Maeyom Palace, looks like an old colonial hotel with lots of dark paneling (Thai style). The guys went with Dick and Lab to buy Thai shirts after we cleaned up. Dick and Lab got some but the rest of us did not. We decided to stop for a beer and ended up eating one of the best meals so far in an open-air hole-in-the-wall restaurant. We went to the night market for desert.

Pin's Father and Sisters


Pin's Relatives with Lab and Geoff

January 22 - Phrae to Lampang- 69 miles - Weather low 70's to low 90's. We had a killer hill today. It was a steep 11k in the low 90's. There were also several rollers that were steep. We stopped at Pin's father's house in Long and met all of the family. We ate lunch in Long while Dick was getting his wheel trued. He hit something on a steep downhill which punctured his tire and bent his rim.

Everyone now seems healthy, although Kaman and I have been some stomach pains. I also have a slight cold that causes my body temperature some problems - I'm shivering while others are over heating. Hope it goes away soon.

Our hotel, The Tip Change, is not as nice as most of the others. Clean floor and clean sheets with orchids scattered around, but the bathroom is covered with cobwebs. It has real hot water, though.

Kaman Surrounded by Summit Wats

January 23 - Lampang to Chiang Mai- 62 miles - Temperature high 60's to mid 90's. This was a much easier day. After a good night's sleep, I felt pretty good. We had one climb that ended at 41k. It was shorter than yesterday's climb and not as steep. At the top of the climb, there was an area set aside for mini temples. Travelers put up miniature wats for safe travel. Traffic going over the summit honks for good luck.

It was downhill almost all the way to Chaing Mai. We ate lunch in a gas station minimart. I had a black pepper chicken sandwich and a blueberry smoothie. What a change from all of our other meals.

Dick, Barbara, Geoff and Kaman at Dinner in Chiang Mai

Tiger Beer Girl at Dinner