We took a few hours out on xmas eve and xmas day to ride the Khao Ito downhill trail with the new mountan bikes that we will be using for rental.

The trail itself (after a shuttle to the top of Khao Ito ( it was xmas !!)) is 90% downhill and consists of a main section complete with jumps ( and thankfully ride arounds) into a short technical loop track, followed by sngle track with a short tech section and a final 2km run on the road back into the lodge.

 

The bikes are Gary Fisher Wahoo 09 Hardtails specced with basic Deore/Acera kit and v brakes and suntour front shocks. We have them in 13.5, 15 and 17" which covers all sizes except XXXL

The bikes were purchased from the Prachinburi bike store in keeping with our policy of local purchase and they will be maintained on site in our own workshop with parts being sourced from the Prancinburi store.

In addtion to the downhill route we rode over xmas there are a number of other potential trails and loops within Khao Ito ranging from easy to full on.

Project for early 2009 is to install a minimal impact North Shore style loop around the imediate perimieter of the Wild Lodge making use of the big bomb holes and single track around the access road to the park. We plan to construct this using sustainable ecalyptus and the reclaimed hardwood off cuts from the construction projects at The Wild Lodge.

December 24th saw an assorted bunch of family and freinds arrive at the lodge for an xmas celebration.

Cesare was on hand to provide superb Italian cusine, Tamar and Penny Taylor took care of the traditonal turkey dinner ( + Penny produced amazing pavlovas)

Aey Milne of BakeACake produced phenomenal choclate cake, mince pies and Christmas cake ( her cakes will be on offer @ The Widl Lodge by special order in the New Year)

Coupling this with the bar tending skills of Jordi ( Mohito) the party had everything required for the festive season, except for a Christmas eve Paella feast ,

step up to the plate noted Spanish VW combi driver, Ingnacio Diaz, who pioduced possibly his best ever work facing off against the Benelli Champange Rissotto to give a truly multi national xmas in terms of both cusine and company.

During the daytime those that where feeling a little energetic ran the Khao Ito downhill mountian biking course taking advantage of our on site shuttle to the top and a couple of high ropes sessions were conducted by Dave Milne.

Thanks to all for coming and making this the most memorable at the Lodge yet, hope to see you all next year.

 

 

 

 

Just before Xmas we ran a training course for the team members of the World Society for the Protection of Animals Disaster Response Team.

In addtion to the Emergency First Response program in Bangkok, we ran a residential program at the lodge designed to give  the team a grounding in basic outdoor skills

  We covered rope use and acess on steep ground, and self resuce and basic safety in a swiftwater enviroment.

We used the High Ropes course on site and thenThan Rattana Waterfall and Nakon Nayok whitewater course for situation scenarios.

 

The team is based in Bangkok and was set up in early 2008 to cover disasters in Asia. They were most recently on the ground helping in Burma in the aftermath of Nargis.

We were gald to provide them with some skills that will hopefully be useful to them in the field and look forward to working with them in the future.

A great team and a great bunch of people.