This gruelling 14 day Adventure Motorcycling in Asia started for me in Ban Pong in Ratchaburi Thailand, then heading north to Phitsanulok, Phrae, Chiang Rai, crossing into Myanmar for the markets at Tachileik, then onto Chiang Klong, Lao border crossing at Huay Xai, then entering China and continueing to Muang Sing, Xishuangbanna, Lacang, Lincang, Dali, Lijang, and the final destination in the mountains of Shangri-La and snow.
Hell that was a mouthfull, in basic terms, starting 70km west of Bangkok, noth to the top of Thailand, across the top to the Laos border, then across Laos to the China border then north west into China towards Tibet.
The return route saw over 5500k traveled on my Ducati Hyperstrada 821 with a group of 25 bikes, two support vehicles, including the necessary Chinese guide. Temperates leaving Thailand started at 35deg, and at the coldest point in the trip saw it drop all the way down to -11 and in the snow at the top of Bluemoon Valley at an altitude of 4600mtrs.
Picture planning the trip, making all the preparations, knowing what to expect then finding yourself days in, the temperatures dropping, the wind chill from riding in minus degree temperatures, your fingers going numb, the wind ripping through your multiple layers of clothes.
That’s what you can expect from this, would I do it again, hell yes! I learnt so much about myself on this ride, it taught me that in the face of adversity that I had the strength to push forward, through exhaustion, frustration and hunger.
They always say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, well taking on an adventure like this definately makes you a stronger person, enough so that I am looking forward to the next ride being double the length of this one.
The documentary below does a better job at following this gruelling and sometimes raw experience, that truely tested your body and mind to limits that ou never though possible.
