Phuket Enduro and Cross Ride with Nicola Vega and Friends
A morning of enduro riding in Phuket
This video captures a full session of enduro riding in Phuket, filmed on 18 April 2026 and published the following day by local rider Nicola Vega. Running to roughly 22 minutes, it follows a small group of friends as they link tracks and climbs across the western side of the island. The original title is in French and simply lists the riders and their machines, which tells you a great deal about the spirit of the day: it is far more about the bikes and the terrain than about polished production. If you enjoy watching real riding on real ground, this one is easy to settle into.
The line-up and the bikes
The group on this outing is a strong one, and the mix of machinery is part of the appeal. Yohan Cardinal, a 2004 UFOLEP Motocross Bretagne champion, rides a Yamaha YZ125 two-stroke, and his experience shows in the way he reads each section. Charlie Cardinal is out on a brand-new Honda CRF450RL, a model that is very rare in Thailand, and this is his first proper outing on it, so there is a nice sense of a rider and a bike still getting to know one another. Brice, known to the group as "le Barber", is on a Honda CRF250L, a dependable and approachable trail machine. Nicola Vega himself rides the Honda CRF300L that he has nicknamed "the white knight". Seeing a two-stroke motocrosser, a big-bore CRF450RL and two smaller Hondas share the same trails makes for an interesting comparison of styles and pace.
Where they rode: Kathu, Soi Morgan and Chao Fa
The route stays in a familiar part of Phuket, taking in Kathu, Soi Morgan and the Chao Fa mountain area. This is well-known riding country for the island's off-road community, with a network of tracks winding up through the hills. On this particular day the group came across what looks like a motocross-style track, and it becomes a highlight of the footage. Rather than a gentle meander through plantation lanes, the riding here leans more towards enduro and cross than pure trail, with steeper lines, looser surfaces and sections that reward commitment and clean throttle control. For anyone building a mental map of the area, you can find more context on our Phuket trails pages, and specifically on the dedicated enduro and off-road trails section.
Why it is worth watching
What makes this instalment enjoyable is the honesty of it. There is no staged drama, just four riders working through terrain that genuinely tests them. The presence of a former motocross champion on a nimble YZ125 alongside a rider on a rare, powerful CRF450RL gives you two very different approaches to the same obstacles, and the two CRF-L trail bikes fill in the middle ground. The more aggressive enduro and cross flavour of the track means there is plenty to watch for anyone who likes technical riding, and the roughly 22-minute length gives the session room to breathe. This is part of Nicola Vega's ongoing Phuket riding series, so if you enjoy it there is a growing library to explore in our Adventure & Riding collection.
Ride it yourself, safely
If the footage tempts you to try these tracks, a few sensible notes are worth keeping in mind. Ride within your own ability rather than trying to match riders who have years of experience, and remember that a track that suits a motocross-style machine can be demanding on a standard trail bike. Respect private land and working plantations at all times, keep gates and boundaries as you find them, and do not assume that an open path means open access. Above all, go with someone who already knows the trails, as the routes around Kathu, Soi Morgan and Chao Fa can be confusing and conditions change quickly after rain. Wear proper protective gear, carry water, and let someone know your plans. Approached with respect and good company, enduro riding in Phuket can be one of the most rewarding ways to see the quieter, greener side of the island.
