Best Motorbike rides in Cambodia
Best Motorbike rides in Cambodia
October is too muddy in Cambodia for many great trips, but that makes it a good time to talk about them. What are some of your Best Rides?
I know 'step-through bikes (and even bicycles) can get almost anywhere, so lets keep this thread pretty broad, any sweet two-wheel trip in Cambodia, on or off-road.
I have friends who are much better riders than I, I'm not big on doing wheelies, or getting airborne, but I ride well enough to have got around quite a bit on the 4 consecutive 250's I've owned in the country.
One very nice ride I had last year was up the east side of Phnom Khieo, Pailin, starting from pretty much right on the Thai border. A good mix of terrain, excellent nature, not too long or too short, and I got a free pocket full of gemstone like black glassy rocks.They called them Khmer for 'Shit-stones' in Pailin, but I know they were just jealous. Because of those rocks, I'm probably the first billionaire poster on K440, I just need to find the right buyer.
Anyone else want to detail a nice ride?
I know 'step-through bikes (and even bicycles) can get almost anywhere, so lets keep this thread pretty broad, any sweet two-wheel trip in Cambodia, on or off-road.
I have friends who are much better riders than I, I'm not big on doing wheelies, or getting airborne, but I ride well enough to have got around quite a bit on the 4 consecutive 250's I've owned in the country.
One very nice ride I had last year was up the east side of Phnom Khieo, Pailin, starting from pretty much right on the Thai border. A good mix of terrain, excellent nature, not too long or too short, and I got a free pocket full of gemstone like black glassy rocks.They called them Khmer for 'Shit-stones' in Pailin, but I know they were just jealous. Because of those rocks, I'm probably the first billionaire poster on K440, I just need to find the right buyer.
Anyone else want to detail a nice ride?
The back road Phnom Penh to Pursat.
Basically, get near Oudong, then parallel the train tracks all the way to Pursat. In this section the train alignment is very different to National Rt 5. Some good new scenery, you skip the Rt 5 traffic terrors, and you are a lot closer to Phnom Aoral and the Cardamoms if you decide to dip in. (MANY, MANY good places to head into mountains, but think clearly if you go far in - insect repellant and maybe a hammock in case you get stuck overnight in the bush, a little food & water, fill up fuel where you can as you get beyond villages, and most importantly a good attitude. Note: clay roads are nervous things in the wet. Steep clay tracks even more so. Consider waiting for Nov-April.)
Traffic conditions change quickly near PP city. I really can't say if my city exit roads are still good ones to use. Not sure any way out of the city is "nice". You city folk can advise on this.
Boring details
Leave the city from the southern half, perhaps on the old south dike road that becomes one of the southern ring roads (Maybe Veng Sreng?) that passes Prey Sar prison and onto National route 4. Choose one of the roads going north from Route 4 towards Oudong, either 42, or 51 if you want a fairly straight forward paved road, or, more confusing, link up with either of these later, but start on one of the many small roads and more gradually make your way onto #51
Driving N on 51, you cross the railway tracks at "Ksem Ksan" (There might be a different name for this place too.) Probably take 51 over the tracks and another 15km right into the southern outskirts of Oudong. However you could possibly take a variety of tiny, turny, shortcut roads nearly due north. I've never done this. Also, I've never put my bike on a Nori (Bamboo train railcar) on this section, but I did once on the 40km section from Pursat to Bamnak.
Near Oudong you might decide to use Rt.5 about 15km to Kompong Tralach District. (Also great, skipping all instructions above, take small riverside roads from Phnom Penh north all the way till you are on the river bank VILLAGE of Kompong Tralach, then take the paved road away from the river 7km to Kompong Tralach DISTRICT.) From this junction, Rt 5 and #138, take 138 all the way to Pursat. This was a great road last year, mixed sealed and wide graded laterite, but people told me it should be all sealed by now or early 2021. (There are ways to avoid the 15km on Rt 5, turn north before Oudong, but I cheated and did traffic for a bit.)
The Pursat river is an impressive and powerful thing this time of year. #138 makes a great 2 day drive, PP--> Pursat-->PP. You could do Rt5 oneway to make a loop, but nicer to do #138 return, just stop at different places on the way back. Good luck. Beware flooding. Have fun!
Basically, get near Oudong, then parallel the train tracks all the way to Pursat. In this section the train alignment is very different to National Rt 5. Some good new scenery, you skip the Rt 5 traffic terrors, and you are a lot closer to Phnom Aoral and the Cardamoms if you decide to dip in. (MANY, MANY good places to head into mountains, but think clearly if you go far in - insect repellant and maybe a hammock in case you get stuck overnight in the bush, a little food & water, fill up fuel where you can as you get beyond villages, and most importantly a good attitude. Note: clay roads are nervous things in the wet. Steep clay tracks even more so. Consider waiting for Nov-April.)
Traffic conditions change quickly near PP city. I really can't say if my city exit roads are still good ones to use. Not sure any way out of the city is "nice". You city folk can advise on this.
Boring details
Leave the city from the southern half, perhaps on the old south dike road that becomes one of the southern ring roads (Maybe Veng Sreng?) that passes Prey Sar prison and onto National route 4. Choose one of the roads going north from Route 4 towards Oudong, either 42, or 51 if you want a fairly straight forward paved road, or, more confusing, link up with either of these later, but start on one of the many small roads and more gradually make your way onto #51
Driving N on 51, you cross the railway tracks at "Ksem Ksan" (There might be a different name for this place too.) Probably take 51 over the tracks and another 15km right into the southern outskirts of Oudong. However you could possibly take a variety of tiny, turny, shortcut roads nearly due north. I've never done this. Also, I've never put my bike on a Nori (Bamboo train railcar) on this section, but I did once on the 40km section from Pursat to Bamnak.
Near Oudong you might decide to use Rt.5 about 15km to Kompong Tralach District. (Also great, skipping all instructions above, take small riverside roads from Phnom Penh north all the way till you are on the river bank VILLAGE of Kompong Tralach, then take the paved road away from the river 7km to Kompong Tralach DISTRICT.) From this junction, Rt 5 and #138, take 138 all the way to Pursat. This was a great road last year, mixed sealed and wide graded laterite, but people told me it should be all sealed by now or early 2021. (There are ways to avoid the 15km on Rt 5, turn north before Oudong, but I cheated and did traffic for a bit.)
The Pursat river is an impressive and powerful thing this time of year. #138 makes a great 2 day drive, PP--> Pursat-->PP. You could do Rt5 oneway to make a loop, but nicer to do #138 return, just stop at different places on the way back. Good luck. Beware flooding. Have fun!
They are called tektites and result from the meteor impact in Laos 800,000 years ago.Guest999 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:57 am... I got a free pocket full of gemstone like black glassy rocks...
"Not my circus, not my monkeys" - KiR
You might be right, but they do seem associated with the locations other gem stones, sapphires, rubies, garnets are mined. If from a Lao meteor impact how did they get scattered around Pailn, and south of the border, Boh Keo, in Trat, but not other nearby Mountains. I thought it had something to do with some old volcano. And, not sure, similar to the garnet and clear to coca-cola stones found in Ratanakiri.
Join this motorcycle forum and it will give you endless ideas: https://www.facebook.com/groups/884874098531028
2 or 3 years ago I happily forgot my Facebook password. There actually is a good chance I WILL bring it back from the dead merely to read your group's road reports, but honestly I've been very happy without Facebook. If anyone writes up rides here, even copy and paste, I'll continue to write rides here too.
Thanks for the link Stevito! See you when I see you.
Thanks for the link Stevito! See you when I see you.
Up to Sen Chao border crossing.
Drive to Angelina's pool and waterfall in Samlout, Battambang. Go for a swim. climb up the cliff, wink to an imaginary Angelina (unless she is visiting, then wink to the real thing!), then jump off the cliff.Cool!
Keep to the right when you leave, not going back to the main road. You should be on o medium small dirt/laterite road traveling West paralleling the south Bank of the N. branch of the Steung Sanke, the river that flows through Battambang town. After about 5k, the road jogs South slightly to where you drive through a small creek, then continues beside, but above, the main river. Drive through another creel 3k further. Road zigzags around some small creeks, but never too far from river another 7k,
There is a prominent Left turn with, usually (depending of bush height) a good view down to the river on your right. Follow this turn to the south if going to Sen Chao. There is a smaller track here that crosses the main river and continues along it on the North side. This crossing can be very difficult when water high. This goes to some old gem mines, but is more easily accessed from further west, where the military can watch it. The main road continues up and South 4k to the lower police control point. Hopefully you won't be stopped here, but if so, explain you heard the road was beautiful, and you have no purpose except a nice ride. When I've been stopped they have been friendly, but they can get grumpy if Angelina's crew have recently confiscated chainsaws or bitched about mining.
The road ascends steeply through the jungle from this point, and is easy or challenging depending on road erosion and recent minor upkeep. An old soldier long based there, about 60, used to ride a very well beat up Thai 150 Honda dirt bike up and down. It had no bakes, so he drove it in first gear down the hill, just ditching it if he got going to fast. He has a great laugh. It is only 2k on this steep road to the border reservoir, but it is my favourite part of the ride. One trip they had cut down one of those big trees they use as a precursor for making ecstasy, and Khmer medicine, muscle rub, etc. (Sorry, I forget the name at the moment Sassafrass?, but it is becoming very rare.) They wrapped up a few big, smelly chunks of the root for me to take home. Years later it smells kind of like diesel.)
There is a fair cluster of largely abandoned concrete buildings near the pass reservoir that they used bringing refugees in from Thai Camps near Bo Keo in Thailand. First with UNTAC in '93, and later UNHCR after the '97 coup and border fighting ending in '98. The Khmer Border police are not always as friendly as most soldiers lower down, but normally the longer you chat the more relaxed they become. Normally they eventually allow me to go another 1km and chat with the Thai soldiers. The Thais are almost always happy to see a new face, as, I think, they are less used to living stuck away from their girlfriends in remote jungle. Usually a group on one side or the other will share a meal with you.
I've done this ride 4 or 5 times, but always alone. I think two bikes would be more safe about breakdowns/accidents, but not sure how the locals would be if you went as a nosy dirt bike heard, I'd guess less friendly, at least until they knew you.
When Samlout was only dirt roads the return trip from Battambang or Pailin was fairly tiring and took a full day. Now, from the pass/border, Pailin is 2 hrs and Battambang 2.5hrs (add an 60-90 minutes to each depending on conditions) Enjoy!
Drive to Angelina's pool and waterfall in Samlout, Battambang. Go for a swim. climb up the cliff, wink to an imaginary Angelina (unless she is visiting, then wink to the real thing!), then jump off the cliff.Cool!
Keep to the right when you leave, not going back to the main road. You should be on o medium small dirt/laterite road traveling West paralleling the south Bank of the N. branch of the Steung Sanke, the river that flows through Battambang town. After about 5k, the road jogs South slightly to where you drive through a small creek, then continues beside, but above, the main river. Drive through another creel 3k further. Road zigzags around some small creeks, but never too far from river another 7k,
There is a prominent Left turn with, usually (depending of bush height) a good view down to the river on your right. Follow this turn to the south if going to Sen Chao. There is a smaller track here that crosses the main river and continues along it on the North side. This crossing can be very difficult when water high. This goes to some old gem mines, but is more easily accessed from further west, where the military can watch it. The main road continues up and South 4k to the lower police control point. Hopefully you won't be stopped here, but if so, explain you heard the road was beautiful, and you have no purpose except a nice ride. When I've been stopped they have been friendly, but they can get grumpy if Angelina's crew have recently confiscated chainsaws or bitched about mining.
The road ascends steeply through the jungle from this point, and is easy or challenging depending on road erosion and recent minor upkeep. An old soldier long based there, about 60, used to ride a very well beat up Thai 150 Honda dirt bike up and down. It had no bakes, so he drove it in first gear down the hill, just ditching it if he got going to fast. He has a great laugh. It is only 2k on this steep road to the border reservoir, but it is my favourite part of the ride. One trip they had cut down one of those big trees they use as a precursor for making ecstasy, and Khmer medicine, muscle rub, etc. (Sorry, I forget the name at the moment Sassafrass?, but it is becoming very rare.) They wrapped up a few big, smelly chunks of the root for me to take home. Years later it smells kind of like diesel.)
There is a fair cluster of largely abandoned concrete buildings near the pass reservoir that they used bringing refugees in from Thai Camps near Bo Keo in Thailand. First with UNTAC in '93, and later UNHCR after the '97 coup and border fighting ending in '98. The Khmer Border police are not always as friendly as most soldiers lower down, but normally the longer you chat the more relaxed they become. Normally they eventually allow me to go another 1km and chat with the Thai soldiers. The Thais are almost always happy to see a new face, as, I think, they are less used to living stuck away from their girlfriends in remote jungle. Usually a group on one side or the other will share a meal with you.
I've done this ride 4 or 5 times, but always alone. I think two bikes would be more safe about breakdowns/accidents, but not sure how the locals would be if you went as a nosy dirt bike heard, I'd guess less friendly, at least until they knew you.
When Samlout was only dirt roads the return trip from Battambang or Pailin was fairly tiring and took a full day. Now, from the pass/border, Pailin is 2 hrs and Battambang 2.5hrs (add an 60-90 minutes to each depending on conditions) Enjoy!
New Chinese Road Bamouy to Tmor Da: anyone ride it all the way to the Thai Border?
Sorry forgot what the thread was called for the new Chinese road over the Cardamoms West of Bramouy, Pursat.? Searched and couldn't find it. (Oops maybe TOF?)
Was just looking at it again on Google Earth and wanting to rev through the gears going up it. The older road it replaced was one of my favourites for a few years, maybe 2006-2009. I recall going through once and stopping at a police camp that had a huge stack of just dug up anti tank mines. perhaps 30 of them. Police suggested some care at river crossings was still in order, but along creeks the most common human signs, besides blue tarped hunting/logging campsites, was the whitish plastic tubes used to protect the propellent end of RPG's.
Sorry forgot what the thread was called for the new Chinese road over the Cardamoms West of Bramouy, Pursat.? Searched and couldn't find it. (Oops maybe TOF?)
Was just looking at it again on Google Earth and wanting to rev through the gears going up it. The older road it replaced was one of my favourites for a few years, maybe 2006-2009. I recall going through once and stopping at a police camp that had a huge stack of just dug up anti tank mines. perhaps 30 of them. Police suggested some care at river crossings was still in order, but along creeks the most common human signs, besides blue tarped hunting/logging campsites, was the whitish plastic tubes used to protect the propellent end of RPG's.
Pailin to Koh Kong, but not that old road, or the older one.
(I won't knock the Two Cocodiles road around Phnom Tumpoan enroute to Bramouy, or following the power lines road Bramouy to New Ou Soum (Originally, Ou Soum was a few km further East than where the new road turns South at the tip of the lake.). And the Chinese Dam road down to the coast has its interesting points. New wet red clay, or old block bogs are still a challenge wherever you find them. But none as daunting as the original, Eastern, Ou Soum to the coast route. In 2000 it had some hard bits and extreme river crossings. 2002-2004 bridges had been up, then narrowed, but still OK, it was those 1+m deep eroded tire tracks, and the 8 inch wide arrete' between that required testicles, or stupidity, and preferably both.' (I heard a couple of years ago this is how some cyclists have still been doing it! Good for them!) But this post isn't about any of those roads.)
Rather, this is about the road from Peam Ta Comune, Samlout, Battambang, to Koh Kong, by a road that, except for 4km, is never more than 5km form the Thai border. And that most distant 4km is 7km from the border. incidentally this is where it passes the 'track' up and east towards 'One-Hundred Elephants' (The track the military never used to haul up a HUGE steel sassafras oil still, huge as perhaps in total 3000Kg. And, but this i'm not sure about, I think it is the general area where they got the Elephant skulls that were AK-47 harvested and now rest in the Forestry office, if I recall correctly, N of Ta Sanh, where CMAC and MAG had a joint Camp for a bit. But feel free to correct me about those big skulls.)Perhaps 1/3 of the road is right on the border or within 2km of it. It is a LONG day charmer! More than truck width demined by the military, I think it is reasonably safe, even though they did find piles and piles of war junk.
Iv'e done parts of it quite a few times, but only drove it end to end in a single run twice, first time alone. Between 2011 and 2014 it was my favourite road in the country. Negotiation skills with military types was required then, but might not be now. Now that the Chinese are likely installed in Thmar Da, Pursat, about halfway along the border road, it may be quite a different vibe.
Anyway, Enjoy!
(I won't knock the Two Cocodiles road around Phnom Tumpoan enroute to Bramouy, or following the power lines road Bramouy to New Ou Soum (Originally, Ou Soum was a few km further East than where the new road turns South at the tip of the lake.). And the Chinese Dam road down to the coast has its interesting points. New wet red clay, or old block bogs are still a challenge wherever you find them. But none as daunting as the original, Eastern, Ou Soum to the coast route. In 2000 it had some hard bits and extreme river crossings. 2002-2004 bridges had been up, then narrowed, but still OK, it was those 1+m deep eroded tire tracks, and the 8 inch wide arrete' between that required testicles, or stupidity, and preferably both.' (I heard a couple of years ago this is how some cyclists have still been doing it! Good for them!) But this post isn't about any of those roads.)
Rather, this is about the road from Peam Ta Comune, Samlout, Battambang, to Koh Kong, by a road that, except for 4km, is never more than 5km form the Thai border. And that most distant 4km is 7km from the border. incidentally this is where it passes the 'track' up and east towards 'One-Hundred Elephants' (The track the military never used to haul up a HUGE steel sassafras oil still, huge as perhaps in total 3000Kg. And, but this i'm not sure about, I think it is the general area where they got the Elephant skulls that were AK-47 harvested and now rest in the Forestry office, if I recall correctly, N of Ta Sanh, where CMAC and MAG had a joint Camp for a bit. But feel free to correct me about those big skulls.)Perhaps 1/3 of the road is right on the border or within 2km of it. It is a LONG day charmer! More than truck width demined by the military, I think it is reasonably safe, even though they did find piles and piles of war junk.
Iv'e done parts of it quite a few times, but only drove it end to end in a single run twice, first time alone. Between 2011 and 2014 it was my favourite road in the country. Negotiation skills with military types was required then, but might not be now. Now that the Chinese are likely installed in Thmar Da, Pursat, about halfway along the border road, it may be quite a different vibe.
Anyway, Enjoy!
Quite some time ago, indeed when much of the road was mostly new, hard packed gravel, I drove from the Japanese Bridge in Phnom Penh, to the Sala Khet Bridge in Battambang Town, in a few minutes under 3 hours. I slowed way down near schools and in towns, but held 110-120 on the long stretches that, back then, were open rice fields, or scraggly forest- like the K Chhnang/Pursat border. I think I passed K. Chhnang just as everyone stopped for lunch, maybe 1130, and burned up the km through nap time. It didn't feel crazy dangerous, I just felt motivated.
When the rains stop this year, are their any good dirt or paved cruising drives left in the country, or are the days of letting it sit at 90-110 long gone, now doomed by the size of the driving population?
When the rains stop this year, are their any good dirt or paved cruising drives left in the country, or are the days of letting it sit at 90-110 long gone, now doomed by the size of the driving population?
For what it's worth,I have gotten 5 speeding tickets { in a car }in the last three years.Lidar guns everywhere.
Thanks for the tip. Maybe I should stick to the dirt.
I'll also need to get a Cambodian motorcycle drivers license? Still easy if I have a foreign one?
And probably should get my 250cc bike ownership card changed to my name. Never met the man on the card, and no idea how i'd contact him. (Probably should check the engine, and frame numbers match the card as well.)
I'll also need to get a Cambodian motorcycle drivers license? Still easy if I have a foreign one?
And probably should get my 250cc bike ownership card changed to my name. Never met the man on the card, and no idea how i'd contact him. (Probably should check the engine, and frame numbers match the card as well.)
How do you spell ' desecration'? (No worries, auto correct got it for me.)
Moto Desecration 1
Well, sacred places are sacred places, so, when riding there, show some respect. I do/did. But still rode there.
I've spent many a day reading in a hammock near the SE corner atop of the Angkor Thom wall. Perhaps I first went by push bike, I can't remember, but usually I drive my motorbike up. I think, but am not POSITIVE, I've driven the entire circumference of the wall top. Previously, the only people you would normally encounter, say once every 3 visits, would be APSARA maintenance staff, or occasional Kru Khmer types collecting medicine, so the wall top trail was small except beside the main entry/exit gates. Now, well just before COVID, I guess due to social media and perhaps(?) Google maps, the wall top trail is comparatively large, and braided with bicycle tire tracks. It was always a special, private place for me, at least over the last twenty years, so it's 'discovery' as a destination in itself, makes me both happy and sad. Nice to share beautiful spots with like-minded souls, but sad they will no longer feel exclusive. Doubly so because just like we can no longer clamber over the various temples themselves, I guess I better stop taking my 250 up. (Sure, I am writing about this on the open internet, and could thereby bring more riffraff to the spot, but by cleverly posting on K440, I can ensure that less than 23 people will ever read it, and probably just half that number!)
Moto Desecration 2
Not sure how it is at the moment, but I rode out to the tip of Preah Vihear, parking in front of the temple, just where you can walk down 'into' the lip of the cliff face. It was in the later stages of the tiff with Thailand and there were assorted soldier tents around everywhere and with small moto trails up to them. the highest nearly as high as I went, so it didn't actually feel strange to ride there. On the other 3-4 times up, I parked near the lower steps, closest to the Thai border. One trip up, got to explore the helicopter (I think an Mi-8?), that Funcinpec crashed in pre-coup-de-ta negotiations with the Ta Mok group, shortly after Mr. Pot was cloriqine poisoned- according to Nate. (Well, well before it became the Very Best cure for Covid! Hell, I use it!)
Moto Desecration 3
I've never had the bike to the VERY top of Banon, Battambang, though the old military road takes you tantalizingly close. The top 5 vertical meters are OK, but quite steep, and there are stone blocks, blocking (as they would) at the very top. Maybe a good rider - bad person - could bump over it, but to my skill level, it felt like it would flip me for a fair backwards tumble. I can't recall seeing it, but probably the military had a dirt ramp over it back in the day, when it was still an active outpost. I recall when they had three 12.5mm heavy machine guns, two recoil-less rifles, a mortar or two, and that dual barrel, dual seat, anti-aircraft gun, all were loaded up and ready to go. Nice toys to play around with mid-afternoon when the soldiers went down to Banon market to watch boxing on TV.
Moto Desecration 1
Well, sacred places are sacred places, so, when riding there, show some respect. I do/did. But still rode there.
I've spent many a day reading in a hammock near the SE corner atop of the Angkor Thom wall. Perhaps I first went by push bike, I can't remember, but usually I drive my motorbike up. I think, but am not POSITIVE, I've driven the entire circumference of the wall top. Previously, the only people you would normally encounter, say once every 3 visits, would be APSARA maintenance staff, or occasional Kru Khmer types collecting medicine, so the wall top trail was small except beside the main entry/exit gates. Now, well just before COVID, I guess due to social media and perhaps(?) Google maps, the wall top trail is comparatively large, and braided with bicycle tire tracks. It was always a special, private place for me, at least over the last twenty years, so it's 'discovery' as a destination in itself, makes me both happy and sad. Nice to share beautiful spots with like-minded souls, but sad they will no longer feel exclusive. Doubly so because just like we can no longer clamber over the various temples themselves, I guess I better stop taking my 250 up. (Sure, I am writing about this on the open internet, and could thereby bring more riffraff to the spot, but by cleverly posting on K440, I can ensure that less than 23 people will ever read it, and probably just half that number!)
Moto Desecration 2
Not sure how it is at the moment, but I rode out to the tip of Preah Vihear, parking in front of the temple, just where you can walk down 'into' the lip of the cliff face. It was in the later stages of the tiff with Thailand and there were assorted soldier tents around everywhere and with small moto trails up to them. the highest nearly as high as I went, so it didn't actually feel strange to ride there. On the other 3-4 times up, I parked near the lower steps, closest to the Thai border. One trip up, got to explore the helicopter (I think an Mi-8?), that Funcinpec crashed in pre-coup-de-ta negotiations with the Ta Mok group, shortly after Mr. Pot was cloriqine poisoned- according to Nate. (Well, well before it became the Very Best cure for Covid! Hell, I use it!)
Moto Desecration 3
I've never had the bike to the VERY top of Banon, Battambang, though the old military road takes you tantalizingly close. The top 5 vertical meters are OK, but quite steep, and there are stone blocks, blocking (as they would) at the very top. Maybe a good rider - bad person - could bump over it, but to my skill level, it felt like it would flip me for a fair backwards tumble. I can't recall seeing it, but probably the military had a dirt ramp over it back in the day, when it was still an active outpost. I recall when they had three 12.5mm heavy machine guns, two recoil-less rifles, a mortar or two, and that dual barrel, dual seat, anti-aircraft gun, all were loaded up and ready to go. Nice toys to play around with mid-afternoon when the soldiers went down to Banon market to watch boxing on TV.
I understand that I would get more response on this with that Motorcycle facebook group, but asking here anyway.
Has anyone made a fairly close motorcycle circumnavigation of Phnom Aural?
I've been into the Youk 'waterfalls' many times, and been far up the valley on the West side of Aural, but but never went from there further south, either to the east, south of Aural, or west to join up with the O'Da rapids road and back down to Kravan, Pursat. Years ago I heard Pheapamex, (those wonderful people) had cut many logging tracks going south, some connecting with behind Kirrirom, and also down to T'mar Bang. Later forrest rangers told me (truthfully??) that those tracks and trails had returned to the jungle and were no longer possible by bike. Don't know, never tried very hard.
Now the Chinese are planning or building higher dams, and they seem to prefer through roads rather than a single in & out road. Also, the last 8 years of rosewood questing pushed 'explorers' to visit, well, everywhere! Loggers might not build a proper motorcycle track for the chunks of Rosewood they ordinarily find, but they might for a dozen newly discovered groves of Beng.
Anyone had a ride in that area in the last 5 years or so?
How about just heading west of Kirirom?
Has anyone made a fairly close motorcycle circumnavigation of Phnom Aural?
I've been into the Youk 'waterfalls' many times, and been far up the valley on the West side of Aural, but but never went from there further south, either to the east, south of Aural, or west to join up with the O'Da rapids road and back down to Kravan, Pursat. Years ago I heard Pheapamex, (those wonderful people) had cut many logging tracks going south, some connecting with behind Kirrirom, and also down to T'mar Bang. Later forrest rangers told me (truthfully??) that those tracks and trails had returned to the jungle and were no longer possible by bike. Don't know, never tried very hard.
Now the Chinese are planning or building higher dams, and they seem to prefer through roads rather than a single in & out road. Also, the last 8 years of rosewood questing pushed 'explorers' to visit, well, everywhere! Loggers might not build a proper motorcycle track for the chunks of Rosewood they ordinarily find, but they might for a dozen newly discovered groves of Beng.
Anyone had a ride in that area in the last 5 years or so?
How about just heading west of Kirirom?
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by Bong Burgundy » Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:11 pm » in Cambodia Speakeasy - 13 Replies
- 14725 Views
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Last post by telescopic
Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:21 am
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How many of you are still in Cambodia?
by MarkinAston » Mon Jun 19, 2023 10:02 pm » in Cambodia Speakeasy - 29 Replies
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Last post by MarkinAston
Tue Jun 20, 2023 8:09 pm
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