Going to Thai one on...attack of the relapse
- Thread starter W3H5
- 109 comments
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... Well, I wasn't that close to the monitor in the first place! 
I think it was the fact that the cat's coat kinda blended in quite well to the background (Sandy floor) and my monitor hasn't exactly got the best colour reproduction ever. More of a cheap "blitz everything with bright white light and you'll get good colour from it!" deal.
I think it was the fact that the cat's coat kinda blended in quite well to the background (Sandy floor) and my monitor hasn't exactly got the best colour reproduction ever. More of a cheap "blitz everything with bright white light and you'll get good colour from it!" deal.
The one from the airplane window is to make Neal, Boiltheocean and a few other from the biking thread see what kind of mountains I'm going to try and ride, just to make them jealous. I hope it works.
Yes, yes it did
Looks awesomesauce mate 👍There are loooaaads of rides round there mate, here's a nice easy 113km one to warm you up...only 1,897m of climbing
...and a "few" more to give you some ideas.
Enjoy the jolly mate, keep us posted on your antics.
- 30,033
- Thailand
That cat is my new best friend, I'll have you know! And yes, as submerged noticed below. We met at the airport.
I'm already part recluse, the last thing I want is to shut, myself away, but you're right, this place does make one consider his/her fortune!
👍
Yes, yes it did
There are loooaaads of rides round there mate, here's a nice easy 113km one to warm you up...only 1,897m of climbing
You know me, doubt I'll miss a chance for a large one.
That all looks very familiar Shem... Have fun out there... Weather should be nice now in Chiang Mai...
It's lovely, mate. spent all night wearing a t-shirt even on the motorcycle. Nothing cold about this place!
So, as usual, I got drunk, hense the less than correct spelling. (
I found a bike for a quid a day (bicycle) but it's a two bob granny bike. For a vfew extra quid I count rent a road bike for the day. That's ,y plan tomorrow, I already have the map of the mountains. Everyone thinks I'm insane, as usual when I decide I'm cycling anywhere.
Today I went for a lovely meal with Mrs Shem, God, I'm going to put on some wieght in this place. The food is so good!
IMG_0870[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
Also, being a bit of a mod/casual I couldn't help but get a pic of this ride. There are so many sweet cars here; from 69 plymouths to VW Beetles to Ford Anglias pimped to the teeth. A lot of ricers too but that's not really my bag, baby, if you know what I mean. (Do like them, not worth a pic)
IMG_0873[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
So I just went to the toilet using my lighter as a light. Don't do it, them things blow up, if you didn't know. My hand now hurts but my bladder doesn't. There's a cat in my room, so I have my cuddly toy for the night.
Over and out.
(Really I'm going to bed. Usually when I'm up this late it's because I want to chat but I really need to hire a bike tomorrow and be on top form for the ride.)
Lots of
Oh, and one for the giggles...
IMG_0875[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
And one for Syntax...
IMG_0878[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
(Minus the beer it actually says "My the froth be with you".
- 5,760
- Pennsylvania
- Ilikewaffles_11
Oh god I don't even know what to say about that drink.. But nice shirt. 
- 30,033
- Thailand
First problem I've encountered. There is no drinking away a hangover here. Went to 7-11 for a beer at 8:30am, like a boss waster, and was told "hey, you! No beer!" so I'm like "WTF!?". Guy points out a sign that says the licences in town are between 2-5pm - 6-midnight. 
Left 7-11 with a bag of dry roasted and a Coke. 
So, still drunk from the night before*, I rode Mrs Shem to work at 7am and spent the next hour being lost and asking random tourists if they knew where Mrs Shem's aunt's house was. Thank God for prozac and a high motabolism!
Got fed up after riding around town in circles and went back to the hotel, gave the wife her scooter back in a huff and grabbed a map so I could walk. This is when the 7-11 no beer incident happened. Took me 10 minutes on foot. Screw the scooter, piece of crap, that's what got me lost, too much "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa, I'm [Casey] Stoner!" and not enough "there's my exit".
So, back in the house, going to hire a bike today and ride into the mountains. I'm taking wife's camera so the pics should be better than the previous from my iPhone.
Now........2am untill I can have another beer.......back to sleep for a few. So much for staying drunk the whole time.
*Disclaimer: I'm not in the habbit of riding motor vehicles drunk, I know it's stupid but I'm pretty aware of things and I don't have a licence so being a little tipsy is the last of my worries if the plod stop me. Plus I'm sure my skills of negotiating Chinese traffic on a push iron have more than prepared me for the sedate rumblings of Chaing Mai rush hour.
Back later, probably with moar beer in my system if everything goes to plan.
Left 7-11 with a bag of dry roasted and a Coke. So, still drunk from the night before*, I rode Mrs Shem to work at 7am and spent the next hour being lost and asking random tourists if they knew where Mrs Shem's aunt's house was. Thank God for prozac and a high motabolism!
Got fed up after riding around town in circles and went back to the hotel, gave the wife her scooter back in a huff and grabbed a map so I could walk. This is when the 7-11 no beer incident happened. Took me 10 minutes on foot. Screw the scooter, piece of crap, that's what got me lost, too much "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa, I'm [Casey] Stoner!" and not enough "there's my exit".
So, back in the house, going to hire a bike today and ride into the mountains. I'm taking wife's camera so the pics should be better than the previous from my iPhone.
Now........2am untill I can have another beer.......back to sleep for a few. So much for staying drunk the whole time.
*Disclaimer: I'm not in the habbit of riding motor vehicles drunk, I know it's stupid but I'm pretty aware of things and I don't have a licence so being a little tipsy is the last of my worries if the plod stop me. Plus I'm sure my skills of negotiating Chinese traffic on a push iron have more than prepared me for the sedate rumblings of Chaing Mai rush hour.
Back later, probably with moar beer in my system if everything goes to plan.
- 19,013
- Jersey V.1.0
- axletramp
@Shem - clearly you've got to stock up better. I carry a small hip flask for just such emergencies - 'In case of emergency forget the glass'.
I've got two scooters - a retro chrome and flames job and a modern Peugeot thing. I haven't ridden either in over a year. I eventually grew to tire of the incessant noise and discomfort. The only time they're fun is in the summer - for obvious reasons.
BTW, I blew the retro one up by over-tuning it - that was more fun that actually riding the thing. I rebuilt the engine and actuator, but the carb's a mess. One day I'll get around to it... Not!
Bring back some good shots from the hills. 👍
I've got two scooters - a retro chrome and flames job and a modern Peugeot thing. I haven't ridden either in over a year. I eventually grew to tire of the incessant noise and discomfort. The only time they're fun is in the summer - for obvious reasons.
BTW, I blew the retro one up by over-tuning it - that was more fun that actually riding the thing. I rebuilt the engine and actuator, but the carb's a mess. One day I'll get around to it... Not!
Bring back some good shots from the hills. 👍
- 30,033
- Thailand
Today was extreme. Not only did I get burnt to buggary, I actually leart some Thai!
After coming back and getting lost a few times in this tiny city, I made my way to a bike hire shop to find me a ride. Nothing but mountain bikes. Great. They had tours but they were all dropped off on the peak of the mountain and cycled down. Not my cup of tea. *Iron man*. I was going UP the mountain on the bike!
Guy at the shop thought I was crazy. He may have been right. Didn't know what was instore, did I!?
Got a bike. Not what I wanted but it had 2 wheels and a crank. It would have to do. got a direction from the bike hire guy who sent me up the mountain. He laughed heartily as I pulled away. I think I earned that 'nut house' award today.
Spent a lot a km dicing with traffic, which is much calmer and better than Chongqing. Completely better.
Got to the base of the mountain and swigged back a litre of H2O for good measure and began in ernest. Was. Not. An. Easy. Ride.
The first few km were a piece of cake, high gear on the bike, relax and enjoy the view.
The last few km nearly killed me. Really. When I got off the bike at the top I fell down from lack of power in my legs!
Covered in sweat, burnt forearms and face. I made it. 1km accent in 15km, minus the ride out from the city.
The sight was amazing, I saw the whole city from an angels point of view and saw loads of gold plated temples on the way up. Lucky I'm not a fully blown chav as I'd have had away with a few kg of gold.
Anyhow. I nearly killed me, did I say that already? Empty stomach, hangover and a bike only fit for going down hill. Not the best way to ride a mountain.
Coming down was more fun. Took 20 minutes compared to the almost 3 hours to get up!
All along the route were open back taxis with people saying "You go, dude!' and "Hey!" while waving at me and taxis of locals shouting what I can only assume was "You're F'in nut, homes!"
I was pretty much the only uphill rider on the mountain. No not pretty much. Just was the only one.
Got down. Got lost. For 3 hours or more. With a sunburn.
This is a very small city but it all looks the same to me. I'm usually very good with directions but this place throws me off something rotten. All roads look the same/ don't lead to Rome.
After hours of cycling and returning the bike, I wandered, lost, for a few more hours before finally finding Mrs Shem's place of work and having several well deserved beers. I destroyed a mountain on a bike. Yay, me. (I'm really chuffed, actually)
Got back. Had a Sleep for a few hours. Showered. Screamed as the water coursed down my burnt arms and face. Spent the next hour drinking with aunt, who's house I'm staying in, and learing Thai. I did pretty well considering my Chinese is not up to much. Thai is much easier.
Went for dinner with the wife. Good food. If I end up living here I'll end up a fat man. Drank a few beers, was told that I'm riding and the wife was a pillion, despite my several beers. Bloody women driver...
got back and was presented with more beer from aunt who continued to teach me Thai. I'm a bit drunk now. Should probably rest.
Tomorrow I'm doing nothing but strolling because today took it out of me.
Here some pics. More when I wake up and it's not..............10:30!!??? Why am I going to bed so early. Bloody heat, knocked me out.
Start of the mountain.
IMG_0879[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
Half way up.
IMG_0884[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
The road. About 30 degree incline at the best of times.
IMG_0882[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
At the top, covered in sweat. Relieved.
IMG_0889[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
So that's about it for today, other than I have to pee because I drank too much beer. Not much more to report. Would probably view a few more threads at this point but I'm too tired.
Over and out.
After coming back and getting lost a few times in this tiny city, I made my way to a bike hire shop to find me a ride. Nothing but mountain bikes. Great. They had tours but they were all dropped off on the peak of the mountain and cycled down. Not my cup of tea. *Iron man*. I was going UP the mountain on the bike!
Guy at the shop thought I was crazy. He may have been right. Didn't know what was instore, did I!?
Got a bike. Not what I wanted but it had 2 wheels and a crank. It would have to do. got a direction from the bike hire guy who sent me up the mountain. He laughed heartily as I pulled away. I think I earned that 'nut house' award today.
Spent a lot a km dicing with traffic, which is much calmer and better than Chongqing. Completely better.
Got to the base of the mountain and swigged back a litre of H2O for good measure and began in ernest. Was. Not. An. Easy. Ride.
The first few km were a piece of cake, high gear on the bike, relax and enjoy the view.
The last few km nearly killed me. Really. When I got off the bike at the top I fell down from lack of power in my legs!
Covered in sweat, burnt forearms and face. I made it. 1km accent in 15km, minus the ride out from the city.
The sight was amazing, I saw the whole city from an angels point of view and saw loads of gold plated temples on the way up. Lucky I'm not a fully blown chav as I'd have had away with a few kg of gold.
Anyhow. I nearly killed me, did I say that already? Empty stomach, hangover and a bike only fit for going down hill. Not the best way to ride a mountain.
Coming down was more fun. Took 20 minutes compared to the almost 3 hours to get up!
All along the route were open back taxis with people saying "You go, dude!' and "Hey!" while waving at me and taxis of locals shouting what I can only assume was "You're F'in nut, homes!"
I was pretty much the only uphill rider on the mountain. No not pretty much. Just was the only one.
Got down. Got lost. For 3 hours or more. With a sunburn.
This is a very small city but it all looks the same to me. I'm usually very good with directions but this place throws me off something rotten. All roads look the same/ don't lead to Rome.
After hours of cycling and returning the bike, I wandered, lost, for a few more hours before finally finding Mrs Shem's place of work and having several well deserved beers. I destroyed a mountain on a bike. Yay, me. (I'm really chuffed, actually)
Got back. Had a Sleep for a few hours. Showered. Screamed as the water coursed down my burnt arms and face. Spent the next hour drinking with aunt, who's house I'm staying in, and learing Thai. I did pretty well considering my Chinese is not up to much. Thai is much easier.
Went for dinner with the wife. Good food. If I end up living here I'll end up a fat man. Drank a few beers, was told that I'm riding and the wife was a pillion, despite my several beers. Bloody women driver...
got back and was presented with more beer from aunt who continued to teach me Thai. I'm a bit drunk now. Should probably rest.
Tomorrow I'm doing nothing but strolling because today took it out of me.
Here some pics. More when I wake up and it's not..............10:30!!??? Why am I going to bed so early. Bloody heat, knocked me out.
Start of the mountain.
IMG_0879[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
Half way up.
IMG_0884[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
The road. About 30 degree incline at the best of times.
IMG_0882[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
At the top, covered in sweat. Relieved.
IMG_0889[1] by SideshowShem, on Flickr
So that's about it for today, other than I have to pee because I drank too much beer. Not much more to report. Would probably view a few more threads at this point but I'm too tired.
Over and out.
- 30,033
- Thailand
The shirt is a snide I bought for the last world cup. 
Cost about 2 quid!
I'm so completely cream-crackered that I have no choice but to sleep now and catch up with all of you bunch in thre morning.
Thanks for staying tuned, this is Shem FM, live and loud from the north of Thailand.
Cost about 2 quid!I'm so completely cream-crackered that I have no choice but to sleep now and catch up with all of you bunch in thre morning.
Thanks for staying tuned, this is Shem FM, live and loud from the north of Thailand.
- 5,954
- 020 A'dam
- Blitz187
- Are u serious?
Did you go up the mountain that the Doi Suthep Temple is on? LoL... The roads there leading up to the top are already crazy in a car... let alone a bike.. Respect! 👍
Edit: Seeing those pics makes me wanna go back there again... Love it there!
Respect! 👍Edit: Seeing those pics makes me wanna go back there again... Love it there!
- 9,884
- Carthage, TN
- race_emhard
Updated thread title
- 2,095
- Norwich, UK
- madmike1986
Epic Shem, epic.
👍
👍
- 5,494
- Vic, Australia
- gundalini
Respect Shaun 👍 ...and you did it on a proper man's bike
Thanks 👍, but I think Sean is a bit more deserving of it than me.
Anyway huge effort Shem, kudos to you mate 👍. Even when I was fit enough to ride a bike a bit there's no way I would've managed that.
Cheers Shaun.
- 30,033
- Thailand
Cheers for the props gents. The ride did nealy kill me from dehydration and my forearms are as crispy as a bag of Quavers but getting to the top made me feel so....I don't know. Unstoppable could be the right word. Doi Supthep - conquered.
The bike weighed a ton compared to what I'm used to and because it was a hire I didn't have faith in it to go flat out on the bends down the mountain, although I was over taking scooters and buses on the straights.
Auntie got my hammered last night while teaching me some Thai, so as usual, I've got a hangover. No rest for the wicked's liver, eh?
Rest day today. I'm not doing a thing until dinner.
The bike weighed a ton compared to what I'm used to and because it was a hire I didn't have faith in it to go flat out on the bends down the mountain, although I was over taking scooters and buses on the straights.
Auntie got my hammered last night while teaching me some Thai, so as usual, I've got a hangover. No rest for the wicked's liver, eh?
Rest day today. I'm not doing a thing until dinner.
- 30,033
- Thailand
That is quite right, indeed.
The food here is miles ahead of Chinese food. Lots of meat and very well flavoured. Also there is a 7-11 every 100m, literally, so snacks are really easy to find.
I was going to put it in the eating thread but here is as good as any; I just had aunties special recipie omlette with sticky rice. There must have been about 12 eggs in the thing! It was delicious!
- 5,760
- Pennsylvania
- Ilikewaffles_11
You seem to be enjoying yourself . I could really go or that omlette thing right now. 
.
. I could really go or that omlette thing right now. .
