100 Kilometers and runnin' (ride report now in the Philippines)

[DanTheMan]

Alright lot of catching up to do. Made it through northern Lao and just got to Thailand (keep an eye on the clap ticker, its going to move by the minuet). Partied my way through the northern parts of Lao. Spent a few days at Vang Vieng. What can i say, imagine Cancun during spring break in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Mind blowing landscapes and all night parties with the 18-21 crowd. Very uncharacteristic of Lao, but a good time. Right before i left for the Thai border i signed up for the Gibbon Experience(linky). Absolute f-ing blast! Tree houses and zip lines all to ourselves with no guides or restrictions. Chasing monkeys at 6am, and zipping and trekking the rest of the time. Dont think i could have found a better group of people to spent the time with. Remember check out the blog for more stories. I usually update here before the blog but more of my random bs on the blog. www.100kilometersandrunnin.wordpress.com


Vientienne



Vang Vieng


Rock climbing in VV


Depending on the restaurants you can watch endless reruns of Friends, Family guy or Simpsons all day everyday.


I know another rice patty, but the make some good photos


Leftovers from the Vietnam war. Sad thats it is still killing people today.


Plain of Jars. Unknown origin, thought to be used to make massive quantities of jam, apricot and strawberry  .




See the red? See the white? Stay on the white side or you go boom. No joke. See here (MAG international for more info on cleaning the unexploded ordnance from the war.


In case you cant find it, the path to enlightenment.


Do not climb on the jars!


Sezy


Gibbon hike in


Tree house and base camp for the next three days


Tree house 7


Bathroom view. So there was no plumbing other than the seat. That meant your droppings had about 150 feet to accelerate to hit the ground below. Imagine the sound that makes. Its a lot louder than you think!


More creative uses for tires


Gibbon Ex1

Gibbon Ex2

Gibbon Ex3

Gibbons singing


My team of highly trained professionals, or the guys crazy enough to go with me on a midnight zip line invasion of tree house 7.


Our crew, We got Canadians, British, Amsterdam, German


Monks


Hows this for a road hazard?


The women here are tough. no pampering needed.



Ride on everyone.






 

[DanTheMan]

Well i think today marks the last day of riding. Due to visa issues, new years, and meeting a friend in a few weeks, it's done. Im stuck in BKK till the 14th to make a border run to renew visa. Make take a side trip to Pattaya for a few days but i can't complete the trip south like i wanted. Originally hoping to finish out the month riding but no go.

SERIOUSLY, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO TAKE UP WHERE I LEFT OFF, FREE BIKE, COME AND GET IT!!!! in BKK. For sale sign is going on it, and ill be gone by the 25th.

More pic's to come but just giving update while working through some beers.

Side note: BKK traffic is the worst!!! I had some guy try to "spidey" me today, but he lost. He thought i was turning right but i was going straight. Felt the bars and mirror on my left arm and he panicked and locked up the front. He went down pretty hard and got a good dose of rash for his troubles. I was more worried that we would have police ect invloved, but he smiled and waved and we both left the scene.

[justinrhenry]

 

[DanTheMan]

OK last round of pictures from the riding tour. Like all things fun, its over all too quickly. I still have the rest of the month in Thailand but no riding, the way things worked out, no time. Still plenty of trip left but not riding related, well maybe, if things workout right. Some number totals for the trip

Mileage total 5494 or 8861K's
Vietnam-2483
Cambodia-837
Laos-1475
Thailand -699
Flat tires- 5
Crashes-1
Accidents-2
bolts lost and replaced-27000
Breakdowns that were not quick fixes - 0
Spark plugs -5
Paid off police for driving offenses - 2
Liters of fuel - 354
Liters of 2T oil - 18
Oil changes - 1
Shocks replaced - 1 pair
footpeg broken -1
Gas cap gaskets made and then lost inside the tank - 4 (tire tubes expand when immersed in gas, not good gasket material)
"Ferry" rides - 9 (only 2 were actual ferry's, the rest were a mix of long boats and passenger boats)
Petcock replaced -1

Sites of Thailand
Border crossing in long boat








Dude are you staring at me again?


I like them a lot better when they're not in the middle of the road


Civil disobedience anyone?


Red shirt rally, the voice of a revolution. These people are protesting to dissolve Parliament and have new democratic elections. They are every where in BK. Different rally points, closing down streets, lots of people camped out in public parks. police and military are stationed all through the city. For the most part it seems non-violent. Not sure what the official stance by the government is. Leave them be or eventually shut them down. And here i am with one of the four shirts i packed is red.






Street legal mini tards

 

[Grampa]

you da man dan

[Duck-Stew]

you da man dan

+ 11tyB Dan.  Congrats on what you've accomplished thus far and a hearty  to your future endeavours! 

[NoisyDante]

Really enjoyed reading this thread, made me think my life is passing me by and I should get out and do more.     Thanks for the read!

[DanTheMan]

Really enjoyed reading this thread, made me think my life is passing me by and I should get out and do more.     Thanks for the read!

You only get one chance. The hardest part was making the jump to do it. Once i got here it was easy. Some days were challenging, but that makes the adventure. Looking back, it was over way too quickly, and it was surprisingly easy to do.

Life here in Bangkok is getting interesting, Red Shirt rally is on the verge of red shirt riots. Police and military are moving in, tear gas and rubber bullets are being used. New years supposedly canceled. Shit is hitting the fan, and im only a block or so away from it. Ill see if i can get pictures.

check out the breaking new ticker http://www.bangkokpost.com/

    *  04:11 PM Natthawut: Crackdown is just the 'first round'
    * 04:09 PM Tear gas, blank rounds fired
    * 03:48 PM APCs sent to protect important spots
    * 03:31 PM 2 troops injured in Ploenchit clash
    * 03:25 PM Skytrain stations ordered to close
    * 03:18 PM Anti-riot forces advance on Ratchadamnoern Ave
    * 03:06 PM Govt forces retake occupied areas

[Raux]

just remember they don't like foreign press there. especially one taking pictures with no press pass. be careful.

[DanTheMan]

I guess good thing i still have the bike in case things get extreme. Maybe i should go fill the tank.

[DanTheMan]

Well got a bit of tear gas and shot at by rubber bullets but here you go   Bit of a stand off then the law decided to crack down. Now i know what running of the bulls feels like. Went to a full on sprint to get out of the way, and ducked inside a hotel for shelter. What an adrenalin rush!

Red Side




Ready






Military




Who's side do you want to be on?


Minutes before the tear gas started to fly

[Rob Hilding]

Keep your head down......

[somegirl]

We'd like to see you back here in one piece Dan.

[Popeye the Sailor]

We'd like to see you back here in one piece Dan.

Yeah-until she lets me get a boat I have to use yours.

[Rob Hilding]

Just heard on the news that 11 people have been killed

Prime minister on TV asking for calm - military has "withdrawn" for now

Hope you're OK, Dan