Climate and Weather in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand's climate is characterized by the monsoon, which creates three distinct seasons.The south-west monsoon usually arrives from India at the end of May and lasts until November. Rainfall is generally heaviest in September with an average precipitation of 250 mm for that month alone.
Rainy season however does not mean drizzle for days on end. The normal pattern over the last years has been: clear mornings (with better-than-dry-season visibility and mountain views), clouds in the afternoon and subsequent rain, dry evenings, occasional rain at night. Still, weather is ruled by chaos principles so there can be clouds and rainy days for -mostly short- continuous periods.The north-east monsoon lasts from mid-November until early May and brings cool air from northern Vietnam/China but no rain for Northern and Central Thailand except for the occasional "mango showers" which may occur during the mango season.This provides for a dry season of about six months every year while Phuket and Southern Thailand barely get 2 months.From March to May heat is on the agenda and maximum daytime temperatures reach 40°C/100°F. Still, at night it mostly cools down and mornings can be quite pleasant, evenings balmy.Year round the air is less humid than in other parts of the country. The low humidity is the main reason why the air seems more pleasant here. Moreover, the temperature difference between day and night and between the seasons is greater than in the other regions.
Visa for Thailand
You don’t need a visa if you don't intend to stay longer than 30 days. You get a 30-day tourist visa issued on entry at the airport. If you want to stay longer, you should get a tourist visa from the Thai embassy.Make sure your passport is at least valid for 6 month by date of entry Thailand.
Clothing
Jeans or other solid trousers that mosquitoes can't get through, especially in the evening under the table. In the mountains in the cool season it's too cold for mosquitoes, but not in the cities.Light boots: bring some normal boots. Together with a pair of solid jeans they make your feet and legs "mosquito-proof" and you'll enjoy dinners etc. much more than if you're scratching your ankles all the time.
T-shirts, sweatshirts, pullovers: in wintertime (Nov-Feb), bring some heavy stuff. In summertime (Mar-Aug) a sweatshirt or a flannel shirt should be enough for cool evenings.
Plastic slippers to wear in the bathroom. Usually we stay in good hotels, but in some areas (Laos) there are only basic guest houses where it's a good idea to wear flip-flops in the bathroom. You can buy them cheaply in Thailand.
Riding gear
Helmet: We will provide helmets, ( to be worn at all times when riding Legal requirement)
Eye protection: A must, sunglass’s are ok to a point, you will look cool! But your eyes will get sore by the end of the first day, Mountain bike eyewear is good, so are motocross and “Biggles flys undone again” type goggles.
Gloves: very important. Ideally motocross type, light and cool with good protection Some of the leaves here are so sharp they cut your fingers when you get too close to them at higher speeds, and much more if you get off the bike, a bit unprofessional.
Jacket: whatever you prefer. In wintertime (Nov-Feb) it can get pretty cold in the mountains first thing in the morning In summertime (Mar-Aug) it gets quite hot, and a good combination is: T-shirt or enduro shirt, protectors and a light jacket on top to protect you from the sun and any airborne bugs with stingers you might bump into.
Shirts: Shirts/ T Shirts long sleeves or short it up to you
Trousers: Trousers/ Shorts again up to you
Foot wear: boots: absolutely essential. You need full protection for your feet against stones, twigs and bamboo sticks, we recommend Desert type boots.
Rain gear: not necessary in the cool season (Nov-Feb). From May onwards just bring some very light plastic rainwear - standard stuff for hikers etc. to keep most of the rain out. Usually it rains for just a short while and we wait until it's over.
Thai Culture
Thai culture is vastly different from English culture and so before setting foot in Thailand you should find out about the essential 'do and don’ts’. Here are just a few, but the most important rules.
Do Smile: Thailand is known as the land of smiles. Thais do not necessarily smile about something like we do in the west. They smile for a variety of other reasons too. To say hello or thank you, to make a request, to apologize, to smooth over bad feelings or to show embarrassment.
Do show respect for the King: Thai people show great respect for their king and they expect visitors to do so too. The national anthem is played twice a day (typically at 8am and 6 pm) and also before every film at the cinema. Everyone is expected to stand whilst it is playing. You should never insult or joke about the king or royal family.
Do show respect for their main religion, for the Buddha, and for monks. Shorts or tank tops should not be worn in a temple, and shoes should be removed before entering. It is considered very improper for women to touch a monk.
Do not touch anyone on the head.The head is considered to be very sacred.
Do not point your feet at anyone or anything. This is quite hard for a westerner to follow as, without realizing it, we do in some circumstances seem to use our feet quite a lot e.g. closing or opening doors. I never realized how much I use my feet until I was made very conscious of it in Thailand.
Do not step over anyone instead walk around them.
Medical Preparation
Thailand, Laos, and Burma don't require any special vaccinations. It would be a good idea to get a Tetanus booster if your last Tetanus shot has been several years ago.Malaria tablets are not really necessary in the cool season, because it is cold during the night and there are not many mosquitoes. You can also bring mosquito repellent.
Diarrhea: you may get a bit of "Thai belly", especially when you are not used to hot (spicy) food. Bring some pills or buy them cheaply here.
Support Vehicles
For convenience and safety reasons a 4WD jeep will follow the tour group almost anywhere, except during the training or at tours with less than 4 customers. In this case you have to carry a bag with about 6 kg on your bike - tools and parts are carried by tour guide and tour leader.The back up jeep carries your luggage, spare parts, tools.
Insurance
You should contact you insurance agent for the right insurance package for this trip (additional insurance for rental vehicles are highly recommended) . The local bike insurance does not cover much. If you book a tour with us trough HC-Travel in UK - the right insurance package will be offered. 
Money
Just bring your ATM card from back home – it will work on any ATM machine. May be as security 200.- US $, UK pounds or Euros cash and a credit card.
Photography
Polarizing filters for your favourite lenses. They cut out the haze and glare. Without them some stunning scenery can turn into very average looking photos. Solid plastic bags for the camera equipment. The large invisible potholes you encounter or a sudden tropical rain shower can kill your camera unless you keep it tightly wrapped in a couple of plastic bags.
Film (e.g. Kodacolor 200) costs around 3-4 (US$4-5) per roll in Thailand.
Documents
All riders must hold a minimum of a full car licence for there native country. Make photocopies of all important items you carry (passport, driving license, credit card, plane ticket, etc.) and keep the photocopies in a different place from the actual documents. 
Odds and Ends
Bring a flashlight and batteries. We recommend wearing a bum/fanny bag ("kangaroo" bag, one of these small banana-shaped bags that go around your waist) to carry all important documents and money (wrapped in plastic) on you at all times. When you go to the toilet, hang it on the inside door handle so you can't forget it. When you are riding, you can wear it in front or back, whichever is more comfortable. When walking in a tight crowd, wear it in front so you can keep a hand on it.
Small money for change and the photocopies of your documents can go into the wallet. Never show too much money!
Don't forget a list with your friends' addresses to write postcards....
House Rules
When you come to Thailand with us, there are three "house rules" to consider which we have adopted or developed over the years.
1. We've read this one in a TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) office in Bangkok, and really liked it: "If you want everything just like home, stay home!". This is Southeast Asia, and things are different.If you don't enjoy new experiences in a quite different environment, then you're much better off spending your holidays in your home country. Simple fact, no cynicism intended.
2. Take care of the bikes and equipment as if it were your own. We know, on any tour a certain amount of damage is unavoidable, especially when you're having fun - racing the other guys, sliding a bit too much, and whack! You've just been shown your limits. On the other hand, we have to keep the tour price affordable so you can come here and enjoy the adventure, which means the built-in "damage factor" per bike per tour doesn't include totaling the bikes.
3. Follow the tour leader - in more ways than one. Culture, politics, rules, just about everything here is different. We've been living here for more than 10 years, and all of us could write books about the countless funny and sometimes weird things that have happened to us in this fascinating part of the world. Always follow the tour leader.
