Day Trip Around Pattaya

Enough of regaling you folks about long motorcycle trips on huge touring bikes with gangs of leather clad beer swilling rabble rousers, lets talk about what can be done in our own back yard on a small bike... after all, there's thousands of riders out there on step-through shopping bikes, and of course the "born again bikers" on their Phantoms who are quite happy to explore the countryside around Pattaya without needing or wanting to go on long tours.

One of my favourite day trips is to take in the lovely area between Sukhumvit and the 331 and then head south for a day on the beach. I'll explain: ride south on Sukhumvit highway till you see the turning (on your left) for the Phoenix Country and Golf Club, turn and follow this road till you pass the Phoenix Golf Club, then take the next right (there's a huge billboard on the corner, you can't miss it) and you'll find yourself on a great long stretch of road that dips down over a couple of kilometres before a gentle rise up, then through a couple of bends before you come to Wat Yan Sang Wararan and a huge lake. If you want to have a stroll round the temples turn left here and park up... if not turn right, carry on for a short while and take the next left, which will take you around the back of the lake to another heavily "templed" area!

Bear right here and you'll ride through a series of twisting turns (beware the sand on the corners) till you come to a T junction. Turn left at this junction and within a couple of hundred metres you'll find yourself at the beautiful Khao Chee Chan (Buddha Mountain). Again it's worth parking up and having a closer look... the Buddha image is only a few years old but the lump of rock it's on was blasted many years ago to provide ballast and hard standing for U-Tapao airport. A very tranquil area in nicely landscaped gardens only slightly marred by the legions of leather dogs (you know the ones... flea bitten, scratched and bald!) So that's where the Pattaya Animal Welfare Society dumped all the mutts they couldn't find homes for! Leaving here stay on the main road and continue east and you'll find yourself riding through a lovely forested area where the tree canopy is uninterrupted over the road, so you'll be enjoying a nice bit of shade.

Unfortunately this stretch comes to an end all too soon and you find yourself at the main 331 highway. Turn right here and carry straight on, go through the first set of lights (intersection with highway 322), through the second set (intersection with highway 3) and carry straight on past U-Tapao airport till you come to an Army checkpoint. Tell the sentry you want to go to the beach and he'll wave you through. Immediately past the checkpoint turn left and follow this road around a right hand curve, then bear left and you'll come to a large car park and food stall area on the left with the beach on your right. And what a beach! Absolutely crystal clear water, shade provided by dozens of casaurina pines, beautiful view, very few people and no beach vendors or jet ski's! A perfect venue for a group picnic, great swimming and some rare peace and quiet!

Well, after spending quite a substantial sum on the old girl last month we may be parting company. My personal circumstances have er, changed somewhat and I now have my eye on a Harley-Davidson Road King. Funny, I always wanted an Electra Glide from when I was knee high to a crank case but the years in between then and my 40's were filled with a sucession of Honda's, Suzuki's and an AJS, so by the time I actually got my hands on my '88 Electra Glide Sport (affectionately known to friends far and wide as the Big Blue Pig!) I was completely out of touch with what was being produced on 'tother side of the pond. Imagine my lust then when I first clapped eyes on a Road King... what a beautiful machine, a bit like "Electra Glide grows up!" So, if anyone out there wants a very reliable, damn good looking but slightly scruffy (character, I call it!) H-D gimme a call on 09 990 9342... she 'aint cheap so time wasters needn't apply!

The baby boom continues! Congratulations to Scott & wife at Siam Racing Motorcycles, Ed & wife at Hot Rod Motorcycles and Az & Joy of the Pattaya Motorcycle Club on the arrival of their daughters... what was going on 9 months ago? Oh yes I remember... part of Taksin and Purachai's social reform... close the bars early and send everyone home! Well I'm glad to see the evidence certainly shows that some folks took the advice, and what's more they actually went back to their own homes! Joking apart, congratulations to all of you.

Well, time's up again, see y'all around town, ride safe and if anyone's interested in joining our Sri Racha based touring club, you've got me email... get in touch!