Topic author: SilverhawkUSA
Subject: Fang-Doi Ang Khan-Jock Scott Loop
Posted on: 07 Oct 2003 18:01:49
Also see; Guns and Poses Road Tour

October 4 and 5, 2003
Fang-Doi Ang Khang-Jock Scott Loop

“Meeting at the Kafe 10.00 am for brekky Saturday morning, then on the road "soon after. From Chiang Mai, route 118 to Charin Resort, then back track a little to Mae Suai & take 109 across to 107 & Fang. Party in Fang for the night, then head home via Doi Ang Khang. From Fang, routes 108 - 1249 - 1340 - 1178 - 107.”

After almost a year of lurking on this board, except for a few minor posts, and procrastinating about doing a group ride, I saw the above post of Dave’s.

I had yet to meet Dave and took a chance on dashing into town on Friday and seeing if I could find the infamous Africa Twin. Sure enough, there it was parked in front of the Kafe. I went in and found Dave reading a paper and introduced myself. Although at first he did not seem too happy about being interrupted, I asked if I could join the ride. I got a smile and a friendly “No worries mate”.

I quickly rented a Trans Alp 600 from Lek, fueled up, and did a quick shake down cruise half way up Doi Suthep and back. I’m ready!

Saturday morning I met up with Dave, Frank Butler (who I had met previously at Mad Dog), Philippe and Steve. We got away fairly prompt and headed up 118. This started looking like a “kanom (snack)” tour when we first stopped at the hot springs, then Cabbages and Condoms and finally Charin Resort.

We back tracked and headed across 109 which was being freshly surfaced as we rode. Fortunately all the fresh gooey stuff was being put on the eastbound side as we headed west. We thought maybe Dave, using his influence, ordered this road freshly paved for our trip and they were a little behind schedule, but he denies any involvement.

I won’t give a step by step account of this ride as Dave has previously covered it in his Doi Ang Khan-Fang Loop post. I can say it is definitely one of the most scenic rides in the North. I have done it previously by 4x4, but it takes on a whole different feel on 2 wheels.

I am not a “newbie” to 2 wheel touring but I felt like a real novice when it came to this group. Frank is on a Round-the-World in 1,000 days trip on his BMW, www.mrbeem.com, out of Papua New Guinea. Philippe started out from Belgium many years ago and has traveled on almost every continent. Steve isn’t laying claim to any current home country but speaks fluent Cambodian and seems to jump back and forth between there and Thailand after also spending many years 2 wheeling and trekking the globe. We know about Dave.

(Note: I ran into Steve twice while on a trip in far northern Laos in March of 2009 after he returned from 2 years in Afghanistan. He is still riding the same motorcycle and still enjoying his travels.)

I am not impressed easily, but listening to this group’s tales and opinions over a couple bottles of Jock Scott was a highlight of the trip. These guys have done it, not just dreamed it or made up a bunch of bull””!

Ahh…. what is Jock Scott you ask? Another lesson from my trip was the proper selection of brew to get maw on. I foolishly volunteered to accompany Dave on a quest for the best bottle in Fang. After hitting almost every liquor outlet in Fang I learned 1st, you must check every bottle to make sure it is 43 percent alcohol not just a measly 40 percent. 2nd one has to check the box and the bottle inside. Make sure it is a 750ml bottle not a stinking little 700ml bottle. Then after negotiating the Thai-Chinese owner for the best deal, “Jock Scott Scotch Whiskey” 380 baht, you clean out his stock and run.

You’ll have to ask one of us in person what you do while touring Fang and depleting this alcohol supply. But, I will say the nightlife is incredibly good for a town this size. A five person group massage is quite an event, we will have to return to Cheers and finally decide on the gender of the Red Head Singer, Frank’s head injury should leave only a small scar, and at least one person on the trip could actually ride his motorcycle and find the hotel even though he could not find the exit from the bar.

Sunday evening we killed the last of poor old “Jock Scott” at the Bier Stube in Chiang Mai. No rain, no grief, and a great ride. If you get a chance to ride with any of this group, take it. You won’t soon forget it.


Dave Early

Ever notice that "What the Hell!" is usually the right answer?

Replies:

Replies deleted here: See Below

Reply author: Davidfl
Replied on: 07 Oct 2003 22:17:43
 

Bob
Yes indeed, it was you the roving liquor connoisseur, who coached & showed me the error of my drinking ways.
But that night in Fang, it was actually a toss-up between either whisky or gin. The whisky only won out because we found a 1-litre bot of 43% J&B for 750 baht, which I considered excellent value for money, when in the same shop the owner also had another 1-litre bot of 40% J&B for the same price, 750 baht. So the 43 proof J&B got the nod, & mainly because we thought we were putting one over the shopkeeper.

However, between 5 thirsty gentlemen bikers, a single 1-litre bot of J&B was not enough. The Jock Scott caught my eye simply because of the name, then we saw the price - it was a steal @ 350 baht, so we took 2 for good measure.
This Fang liquor shop shall stay nameless for the time being, as the old Chinese guy’s also got a 30 yr 1-litre bot of Haig, that he refuses to part with (so far). But next trip to Fang I plan to have another crack at it.
 

Now that night, if we did not get any decent whisky, then the choice for me would have to have been (several bots of ) 40% Gordon’s gin, and that would have lead to some serious abuse & frivolity amongst the boys.

All this reminds me of my last trip to Mae Hong Son, & trying to buy a decent bot of whisky for the night. I managed to track down some 43% Ballantines in a 7-11 store. After checking that the bottle indeed was 43% proof, I put it under my arm to pay & walk out. But the gorgeous young shopkeeper stopped me dead in my tracks, and asked me to take another boxed bottle, that was unpriced, so that they could keep the bottle with price sticker on for display. I thought nothing of it, took the other boxed bottle, paid & left. Imagine my surprise, 45 mins. later sitting in a restaurant with a young impressionable female dinner companion, when I realized on the first sip, that I’d been had & it was only 40% proof. I decided to grit my teeth, grin and bear it for the duration of the night, rather than head back to the 7-11 to complain & spoil the evening. The moral of the story, check the bottle in the box!

And last but not least, yes, the jury is still out on the red haired singer in Fang.


Davidfl
Keep the power on

Reply author: Philippe-Belgium
Replied on: 08 Oct 2003 13:23:45
 

Jock Scott, Red Haired Singers and Fang Loop.

By coincidence I happened to enter side by side with the fabulous red-haired singer. I temporarily lost my breath and under her spell and the influence of Jock Scott -mother of all Scotches- almost fell on my knees to declare her my love and my eternal financial support and an exclusive education for her numerous children at Harvard, but didn't get the time as she rushed to the stage. On various occasions I had to resist the temptation to rush at her dancing feet and drag her offstage and when my four biking friends repeatedly assured me of the presence of some sort of banana in her trousers I lost all reference for what concerns choosing the right gender. I now and forever lost all self-confidence and am floating in a choatic world where questions are raised in front of long hair and lovely breasts. I'll never be the same again.

Luckily I felt great moments of joy during this beautiful trip of ours, following David along some of the most pleasant drives I've done in this country and smiling ecstatically in front of lots of lush scenery, especially during the climb of Doi An Khan and when having the privilege to choke David in my exhaust fumes in many of the faster curves. Eat my Space Dust, David!

Right, I hereby send my politest regards to my traveling companions and wish them lots of fun playing with firm silicone breasts in the future.

Philippe.

Reply author: SilverhawkUSA
Replied on: 09 Oct 2003 16:01:53
 

Philippe-
Don't lose faith in redheads or womanhood quite yet. The jury is still out. Many opinions were given but no one has the definitive answer.

As we also only touched on the great scenery in that area (both outdoors and indoors). I definitely would like to make another expedition into the realms of Doi Ang Khan and redheads. Lets see what we can plan in the future.

Dave Early

Ever notice that "What the Heck!" is usually the right answer?

Reply author: Philippe-Belgium
Replied on: 09 Oct 2003 16:46:25
 

The Invasion and Obsession of Redheads.

I'm totally in favor of going back to Fang for a double-check. After more consideration I have to admit that the fabulous and legendary red-haired singer might be a vulgar bloke. It's a horrible and unspeakable idea but remember the scene where she appeared quite undressed, with two shiny silver stars super glued on her nipples? That's a specific katoey thing, no? Jock Scott probably blurred my senses because even during that particular performance I continued drooling and being in awe in front of her charismatic beauty.

So, when are we going back? And how many times?

Philippe - Natural Born Tourist.

Reply author: Philippe-Belgium
Replied on: 10 Oct 2003 14:28:05
 

GENERAL WARNING.

I'm now psychologically damaged and the consequence is that I'm more and more convinced that David Unkovich might be an ugly woman in disguise. The Illusion of Genders. The Kafe is not safe anymore.
 

Note:  I deleted many responses and reparte from this report for copyright/privacy reasons.  It is a good exchange and please view the original post at ;

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Topic URL: http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/fang-doi-ang-khan-jock-scott-loop-t196.html
Printed on: 18 Mar 2007