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Published: January 8th 2013
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Imagine this... you live in a village of no more than 50 people. You’re sitting around one day going about your daily business and all of a sudden a group of 29 cyclists ride through. First you hear the unfamiliar sound of a bike horn closely followed by some loud and often over accentuated greetings “HHHAARRRROOOOOOOO”. And in a blink they are gone.
That would happen at least 10 times a day if not more on this tour as we continue passing through tiny villages. The highlight on day 4 definitely had to be passing through a village street party. Instead of following the detour sign - which in our defense we couldn’t translate - we rode straight through to the marquee where tables and chairs were being set up for the days festivities. Of course Thai people being as beautiful and generous as they are started moving chairs aside creating a single passage way through which we could ride. And just like that we were gone and they went back to their party!
Always a highlight on tour are the visits to the schools along the way. The Thai children are so friendly, waving and chasing us through
the oval as we cycle in, then welcoming us and having a play when we share some more of the goodies we have stocked in the van. The kids are always a nice reminder of why we’re doing the ride.
As for the crew, we’ve been really fortunate once again to be riding with some cool peeps. A large part of the 2011 crew was reunited - Pete, Henry, Borat, Scotty, and Trev - which has been awesome but what’s equally awesome is the opportunity to connect with some of the newer additions to the Hands family.
As always Borat gets up to his usual Borat stuff; Henry has dubbed himself super domestique so has spent his time clocking up extra k’s by riding back to pick up other team members, dropped water bottles, and if neither of the above he’s out to challenge the stronger riders in the pack; Trev is wondering why he signed up for 1,600km but is of course loving being back on the bike sharing the sticky hand love with all of the kids; and Scotty is still on the mend after a bout of pneumonia. Which leaves the big deal (dill) aka
the Captain or Pete who continues his PR trail across the globe featuring on the first page of a Thai newspaper yesterday following the incident with the monk.
Night before the rest day is always a laugh, and this night did not go without some interesting stories. Starting with a river cruise taking in the sights of the Mekong and the smell of marijuana drifting over from Laos, the night allowed everyone to let their hair down and relax knowing they didnt have to get on a bike the next day. We almost lost our tour guide Chris who whilst hanging off the back of a Tuk Tuk managed to snap the bar sending him to the road. Kel absolutely lost her shit and is still losing it when the story gets a mention! Ah only in Thailand!
Coming to the end of our rest day now and we’ve had a great day enjoying massages, and some much needed chill out time by the pool. Feeling all refreshed and ready to hop back on the bike tomorrow to begin the 2nd half of this journey.
Until then, stay cool (sydney peeps)
CT & Kel xx
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Yvette
non-member comment
Loving the blogs
Hi guys, really enjoying reading the blogs. Well written and entertaining. I've been feeling really nervous this week about my turn coming up but having your blogs to read and seeing everyone still happy and enjoying themselves even with the hard stuff is helping to keep me motivated and a little bit excited. Thanks.