Our ride for day 6 took us from Mae Hong Son to Cave Lodge outside of Pang Ma Pha! The 75km ride was peppered with steep climbs and descents. We started off early so that we could get done with most of the climbs before the sun goes into full blast mode.
The result was that it was quite chilly and foggy at the start for the first 10km or so.
16km into the ride we decided to do a planned cafe stop for a few hot coffees and a ton of pictures!
However, because of the early start and mostly downhill ride till there, by the time we got to the cafe, it wasn’t even open.
But, as we posed for pics at a scenic spot next to the cafe, the owners walked in and opened the cafe.
After a round of hot coffees and hot chocolates later, we resumed the ride to tackle the first set of steep climbs.
The fingers quickly did their job to find the granny gears as the roads pointed straight up. Although we did not have a Doi Inthanon on the route today, many stretches reminded us of that brutal climb.
At our refuel stop, we met a Danish rider on his touring bike. I chatted up with him to know more about his ride. He is apparently from Aarhus in Denmark and started his self-supported ride of the Mae Hong Son loop a week ago on Tuesday(2nd Jan), a couple days before us.
I shared about my trips to Denmark and my rides there during my work trips. We said our goodbyes and I went on my way to deal with the next set of steep climbs! It is mighty impressive of him to be riding these steep climbs with all that luggage on his bike even at a much slower pace.
Steep, Steeper, Mae Hong Son!
Garmin was saying that the next climb was 9km at 7%. But the average stats like that are very deceptive. The entire 9km section might average to 7% but if it has flattish and downhill bits in between, it would also mean there will be stretches of 15% or more.
Certain segments on the Mae Hong Son route feel like the very definition of the term steepest and can probably be used interchangeably.
After much struggle, I made it to the top. Throughout the climb I was feeling queasy. I’ve put it down to breakfast or the hot chocolate that followed.
I tried eating something at the planned lunch spot at 61km but couldn’t eat anything because of the queasiness. I decided to continue riding the last 15k to our stay at the Cave Lodge.
It was a relief to make it to the Cave Lodge and relax for a bit. I forced myself to eat something and took a nap.
Nam Lod Cave Visit!
At about 4:30pm Sampath took Sandy and I to the Nam Lod Caves. Those who were on the trip earlier already saw caves and a few decided to prioritize test or massage over cave visits. Ravi Kiran went Kayaking with a guide which apparently also takes one through the caves.
The ticket for the cave visit was 200 baht each. They send a guide with a gas lantern to show us around the caves.
The guide took us around the caves with her lantern and a small torch to point at rock formations that look like various animals etc.
There was also a wooden raft ride in the river that runs the caves. There was a school of fish all the time following our raft.
It was an experience worth trying especially for those who are archeologically bent.
What’s Ahead?
The penultimate day’s ride takes us to Pai which is just 50km away from the Cave Lodge. It however has one Hors Category climb of about 20km in that followed by 20km descent. It is going to be an interesting test for the legs.
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Day 2: Mae Chaem to Mae Sariang!