Laos Solo Ride Day 1: Kuala Lumpur - Ayutthaya (1,660 km)

Heyya..

Day 1 of my Laos Solo Ride.. You may find a similar article i have written previously: Kuala Lumpur - Ayutthaya (1,660 km in 13hours)

It is similar because i always do KL - Ayutthaya whenever i travel to central of thailand.. it's a textbook for me..

I left Kuala Lumpur at 2.50 am and entered the North Bound PLUS Highway at 3.15 am at Sg Buloh entry point..

It was cold, raining early morning.. but I started to push the speed limit to 150km/h as I must reach at Malaysia-Thailand Border Checkpoint by 7.00 in the morning..

The bike had full tank of petrol so I would not stop for re-fueling until at Caltex in Changlun, 480 km from Kuala Lumpur..

To be honest, with the speed of 110 km/h, the GS Adventure can have the range of 650 km the most.. but when riding at the average speed of 150-155 km/h, the mileage range drops to 540 km..

Hence when reaching Changlun, the reserve fuel is already being used..

Reached Caltex at Changlun at 6.40 am.. Re-filled the bike fuel tank to its maximum.. and rode to the Border Control at 7.00 am.. just perfect.. no queues at Malaysian side and I was the 3^rd person to pass through Thailand Immigration Checkpoint.. Managed to do the Thailand’s Customs Declaration and put my iPod and gears back.. Now I’m leaving Dannok town..

It was still at 7.30 am, the streets from Dannok to Hatyai were empty.. I managed to ride through red traffic lights as there was no vehicles and road users apart of me.. I reached Hatyai – Phet Kasem Interchange at 8.10 am..

I will ride along Phetkasem highway of Route 41 passing Patthalung, Thung Song, Wiang Sa, Surat Thani and stop for second refueling near Chaiya town in between of Surat Thani and Chumphon province.. that's almost 480 km covered from Bukit Kayu Hitam, the first refueling stop for my GS Adventure..

I normally have khaeng kiao wan gai (green curry chicken) with khao suai  for lunch at a petrol station in Chaiya... along with Gaa Fae Yen and a bottle of Krating Daeng or Red Bull as known globally..

Then i continue my ride to along the Phetkasem highway passing Sawi in Chumphon province and Thap Sakae, Kui Buri and Pran Buri in Prachuap Khiri Khan province...

Riding in Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces takes lots of nerves and it consumes lots of energy along these two provinces.. the distance from Chaiya in Surat Thani to the end of Pran Buri of Prachuap Khiri Khan is about 400 km and it takes nearly 2 hours and half.. the ride is boring and makes me feel tired in the hot afternoon..

As i'm entering Petchaburi Province along the Phetkasem (Highway 4), the traffic starts to build up.. Petchaburi province is next to Bangkok city and most of Bangkok residents would travel to Hua Hin and Cha-am for weekend beach break.. Once i have passed Hua Hin, i am almost near to Samut Songkhram interchange (Route 4 and Route 35) which is approximately 150 km from Hua Hin..

Right after the Cha-am / Hua Hin and Phet Kasem interchange, there are many Premium Outlet stores, restaurants, etc...

Then i make my 3rd refueling stop along the Phet Kasem highway in Bang Khem, Petchaburi.. there are many petrol stations along the Bang Khem area but there are more along Highway 35 in Samut Songkhram..

..Riding Through Bangkok..

There is a huge advertisement signboard on the left of the Phet Kasem route, which is the beginning of Samut Songkhram of Route 35..

If i keep on riding on the Phet Kasem (Route 4), i will enter Ratchaburi province and as i am getting closer to Nong Pho district, there is a junction which goes to either:

• Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok (Route 4)
• Ban Pong and Kanchanaburi (Route 323)

Back to Samut Songkhram's Route 35, it leads to Samut Sangkhon and Bangkok City via Bangkok's outer ring road, Kanchana Phisek of Route 9.. The traffic gets heavier and heavier as i am riding along the Route 35.. Luckily, i am riding at 3.00 pm so the traffic is not be as bad as peak hours (4.00 pm - 7.00 pm) but the traffic is building..

As i am approaching Bangkok city, i have to exit the Route 35, near Thanon Rama II.. There is a big blue Motor Highway lights and toll booths at the end of Route 35.. before the toll booths, there is an exit junction of Route 35, which connects to Kanchana Phisek's Route 9 and take that exit.. The distance from Samut Songkhram / Phet Kasem interchange to Thanon Rama II is merely 75 km..

Along the Kanchana Phisek Route 9, this is where i have to be aware of all the road / route signs.. it's a bit tricky as there are many interchange junctions and i must be aware of the building traffic.. sometimes the route signs could be blocked by huge lorries and busses on the slow lane.. therefore i just need to be alert of the signboards while riding in between cars through Bangkok traffic..

Riding in Bangkok is nerve wrecking but apart of me is happy because 12 hours ago i was riding in Kuala Lumpur and now, I am already in Bangkok!

I only need to ride along the Western Outer Ring road, Kanchana Phisek of Route 9 and only focus on the signage of Route AH1, Route 32 and Route 1.. these routes will lead me to Ayutthaya.. The routes which i need to ignore are:

• Thanon Phet Kasem
• Thanon Ratthanathibet
• Bang Bua Thong - Suphan Buri
• Rangsit - Pathum Thani
• Udon Ratthaya Expressway

Finally, after 82 km riding along Kanchana Phisek of Route 9, i have reached the AH1-Route 32-Route 1 huge interchange also known as Pratunam Phra-In interchange.. Then i proceed to ride on AH1-Route 32 highway and Ayutthaya town interchange is not very far.. only 23 km from the Kanchana Phisek interchange..

I arrived at Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya town nearly 5.00 pm.. I checked-in at Ayotthaya Hotel, took shower and changed to a pair of shorts and flip-flops.. The Ayotthaya Hotel is located along the night market.. i went around the historical town, snapped photos, the night market and had dinner of Phad Ka Pow Gai and Khai Tiao with Kao Suai..

I had a good sleep at Ayotthaya Hotel as i needed to wake up as early as 4.30 am on the next day to start riding to Boten, Laos - China Border..

<< Getting Ready for Laos-China Border Solo Ride

Laos Ride Day 2: Ayutthaya - Boten, Laos (Part I) >>

HooRahh!!

Getting Ready for Laos-China Border Solo Ride

Heyya..

My alarm clock went off.. I woke up at 2.30 o'clock in the morning… I felt really good, excited and really up for the KL-China-Laos epic Solo ride.. I had a very good night sleep as I slept as early as 7.00 o’clock in the evening before… The 7 hours of sleep was sufficient enough for me to reach Ayutthaya, which would take me at least 13 hours of ride to cover 1,660 km journey from Kuala Lumpur.. Yes, this was a crazy - tough - long - iron butt ride but hey, I have accomplished the KL – Ayutthaya ride (in one day) 3 times before… all the Routes were simply in the back of my head..

Day 1: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

Took shower and put all the riding gears on; Dainese Gore-Tex jacket and useless Clover rainproof pants and Alpinestars Ridge waterproof boots.. I had 2 cups of strong espresso and put the luggage in the Hepco & Becker Top Box while my PEN camera, Laos map and travel-documentations were kept in the tank bag..

Day 2: Boten, Laos-China Border

Then I started the 30 Years Anniversary R1200 GS Adventure engine.. it roared and the fuel-distance mileage indicated 720km of mileage left with the full fuel tank.. Everything was ready to go; both tire pressures were good at 23psi and 24 psi, engine oil was at normal level.. I waited for a moment for the engine oil temperature indicator to be at 3 bars..

While waiting, I inserted the iPod earphones, put my Arai Tour Cross II helmet and Scott Goggles on..

Pushed the bike to the front gate…

The engine was warmed enough…

Sat on the thick and wide GS Adventure’s red seat.. it was cold but it felt very soft, cushy and comfortable.. the seat will be my best buddy through out the whole long epic journey..

Looked at the time, the clocked showed 2.50 o’clock in the morning.. both of my hands were holding the Adventure’s wide handle-bar.. the Cramp Buster throttle lever set nicely under my right palm… shut the house gate..

Pulled the clutch lever, put into 1^st gear with a little bit of throttle..

And I put my game face on!

The China-Laos solo ride had got to be now or never, bitchesss!

The epic Adventure of 8 days had just begun..

Day 3: Luang Prabang, Laos

Day 4: Vang Vieng, Laos

Day 5: Vientiane, Laos

Day 6: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

Day 7: Trang, Thailand

You may continue reading at: Day 1 of Laos Solo Ride

HooRahh!!

KFC's Zinger Double Down..

Heyya..

Is it a bird?... Is it a plane?.... It’s Super-Greasy Double Down!!!

Finally, KFC Malaysia has launched the Double Down sandwich which was introduced in United States in 2010.. and i've tried the all new KFC’s Zinger Double Down sandwich at Aeon Jusco Keramat.. The word of sandwich is totally misused because when I think of sandwich, I always think a healthy meal; cuts of veggies, slices of meat or tuna chunks in between 2 slices of bread..

The KFC’s Zinger Double Down is made of two thick of deep-fried chicken fillets, coated with Zinger’s hot spices.. The Zinger chicken fillets are used as the ‘sandwich bread’..

It is priced at RM8.40 exc tax for ala carte, and RM10.50 exc tax for combo (double down sandwich and Regular Soft Drinks)..

In between the Zinger fillets, KFC inserted a slice of Beef Bacon, a slice of cheddar cheese, smothered with Cheezy Wedges cheese sauce and Colonel’s secret sauce.. It's a bomb, i tell ya..

Tell ya the truth.. This sandwich has too much of grease and it tastes salty.. i could not even finish the Double Down.. it is not because i was full.. it is because i love my life and i don't wanna get a cardiac arrest at young age.. i still have plenty things to achieve in my life.. LoL

Credits: KFC Malaysia Facebook 

You dare enough to have a piece? Then have a go, Sir..

HooRahh!!

Laos Road Map..

Heyya..

Now i'm heading to my dairy farm and i have brought my Laos road map with me.. fyi, i do not ride with GPS.. i only use road maps in my entire life..

I will soon write the Laos Solo Ride ride report.. a long and proper write-up so everyone can share the experiences i had through during the Laos Solo Ride journey..

Remember, i prefer to have long write-ups, followed with pictures in my blog instead of just pictures..

Stay tuned..

HooRahh!!

Touratech Throttle Valve Cover

Heyya..

One of the Must Have accessories to be installed on the GS Adventure is the Throttle Butterfly Valve Cover..

It protects the Throttle Butterfly Valve on the left side of the air intake manifold, which is made of plastic.. if the bike falls on the left side, falls onto a big rock and smashes the throttle valve, that will be the end of the day for riding..

I bought the Touratech Throttle Valve Cover for RM180.00 from Sunny Cycle, who is Touratech distributor in Malaysia..

The installation is pretty straight forward.. Simply remove the original screws on the throttle valve..

Then place the Touratech’s Throttle Valve Cover.. and put the longer screws on.. The longer screws are provided by Touratech..

Now I don’t have to be worried if the my GS Adventure crashes on the left side and hits a big rock..

Also, it adds the bling-bling on the bike..

HooRahh!!

Disappointing Burger King's BBQ Beefacon Cheese!!

Heyya..

Oh Come On!!...

Oh Why Now!!...

Burger King.. Come On, BK!!..

Why are you doing this to your customers, BK? Sighhhh...

Credits: Burger King Facebook (left photo)
I tried Burger King's hottest deals, which one of them is BBQ Beefacon Cheese.. at first, the name is very confusing... beef bacon? beefacon? what the hell?? actually, 'beefacon' is beef bacon.. because Burger King does not want its customers thinking it is made of 'bacon', so they name the beef bacon as 'Beefacon'.. what the hell??

Back to the BBQ Beefacon Cheese Burger.. sighhh.. It is absolutely garbage!

Burger King is trying to beat McDonald's Lunch Value Meals, with it's cheapest deal of RM5.95 for McChicken with regular Coke and french fries.. or at RM6.95 for Double Cheese Burger meal.. Therefore, Burger King sells its BBQ Beefacon Cheese Burger for the same price, RM5.95 with regular Coke and fries..

So how's the BBQ Beefacon Cheese Burger?

At first, the burger is bloody small!! It is half of the size of my palm..

Secondly, the burger buns are dry, cold and hard..

Thirdly, the beef patty is absolutely thin and also dry..
The burger is absolutely cold.. you can see the cheese does not even melt between the beef patty, bacon and buns..

Is BK thinking this burger is meant to be fed for kindergarten kids?

I was not happy.. i was not satisfied.. so i ordered a Double Whopper Burger.. you can see the different of these 2 burgers..

Hey, I'm not being cheap here, BK.. you're just being double standard.. Although the Double Whopper burger may cost RM14.00 with tender beef patties and soft buns, but the hot deal burgers have totally different quality..

Yes, i know you may say the Double Whopper price is almost triple of the BBQ Beefacon Burger price, but Burger King, apart of the burger sizes and number of beef patties, the quality of cooked beef patty and buns are totally different when being served! That's what i'm concerned..


Quality.. That's what McDonalds can do.. Malaysians want quality burgers!

No HooRahh!!

Touratech Crash Bar Pouch / Bags

Heyya..

Speaking of luggage on my 30 Years Anniversary GS Adventure, previously, the luggage set up were only a Hepco & Becker Top Box and a Motorrad Tank Bag.. These two luggage are waterproof and dustproof..

Obviously, i am not a side-panniers rider as i don't feel comfortable riding with side-panniers, although i have tried using them.. also, the longest duration i went riding previously for 30 days, having a Top Box and a Tank Bag is good enough..

Recently, I added another luggage to the R1200 GS Adventure.. they are Crash Bar bags.. they come in a pair (for both left and right tank guard) and made by Touratech and costs on RM350.00 at Sunny Cycle, who is now a distributor of Touratech in Malaysia..

I can keep additional road maps, spare gloves, a small mineral bottle in each of the bag.. it’s very handy and useful..

Installation is extremely easy.. Each bag comes with a strap and a pocket so the crash bar loop (D-shaped bar) can be inserted and secured properly.. Fasten and tighten the strap to secure the bag..

I have used them in heavy thunderstorm rain and they are 100% waterproof.. I have ridden at the top speed of 180 km/h and the bags hold the crash bar steadily.. No worries at all..
Now, my GS Adventure 30 Years Anniversary has 3 different brands for luggage bags; Hepco & Becker, BMW Motorrad and Touratech..

HooRahh!!