Kelly Coleman

Kel and Claires Journey

Kelly Coleman

On 5th January 2010 we will be riding 800km from Bangkok to Khao Lak to raise money and awareness for the charity Hands Across the Water (HATW). HATW is Australia’s fastest growing boutique charity supporting the children in Thailand who were orphaned by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.

Aside from donation and sponsorship opportunities, every year a team of riders participate in the Hands Big Ride to raise further funds and awareness for the charity. Every cent raised goes directly to the children and the projects approved by the Hands Board.

We'd love for you to follow us on the journey and the challenge of a lifetime.

You can find out more about Hands and the amazing work they have done for these kids and plan to do in the future by visiting the website www.handsacrossthewater.com.au. You can also sponsor us by clicking on the site below then clicking on our name. All money goes directly to the orphanage and helping these kids that ask for so little but need so much! xx

You can still sponsor us at http://handsacrossthewater.com.au/node/257




Asia » Thailand January 13th 2013

A lot can happen in 200km! Well it’s been a whirlwind couple of days for us, lots of riding, lots of laughs and a few tears shed today as we finished to an extremely warm welcome at Home Hug. Yesterday was a long day - 134km in total making it the longest on tour - but it was the day that would see the team really gel, keeping together and riding in packs on the long highway stints. We were fortunate to get a solid group of the girls together and were riding strong, strong enough to pick up our fellow rider Frank Newton along the way. From there we formed a pack of winners, helping each other through the headwinds and k’s. Given the common theme of chatter amongst the girls all week about squashed ... read more

Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand » Nakhon Phanom January 10th 2013

Day 5 & 6 - by far two of the longest days on the bike so far, not so much the distance but time in the saddle and how we were feeling. There always seems to be one day on tour where energy is a little low and that could be felt through the group today. Kel and I stuck together and dug deep as we rolled through some undulations or in Kel’s words ‘hills’! Going back to yesterday our ride into Mukdahan was both scenic and eventful. First stop in the morning after a 24km highway stretch was at a school where we donated soccer balls and once again handed out the sticky hands. The kids were so appreciative of our company, our gifts and the time that we spent there; their faces and smiles ... read more
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Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand » Nakhon Phanom January 8th 2013

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 ... read more
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Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand January 6th 2013

Well they say bad things come in three’s, given the events over the last two days I think we’re in the clear now. We’ve overcome a lost laptop, an interesting hotel (rented by the hour with a condom on arrival) and then yesterday during a visit to a beautiful temple several members of the Hands team were called on to perform CPR on a monk that had collapsed. In Pete’s words the team did all they could to sustain his life continuing with their efforts to the local hospital. The condition of the Monk was grave when he was left with emergency staff, but all was done for him. That brings us to day 3 which thankfully has been filled with a lot less drama than the previous two hence the return of the bloggers! Day ... read more
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Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand » Nong Khai January 4th 2013

Well today was the first day for our 800km bike ride – it started off really slow which was nice considering I didn’t do any training then everyone found their pace after the first water stop. One leg I found really hard but then we stopped for lunch which was nice and of course I over ate so the last 20kms was also a little tough! No stacks today so that was good! We did 85kms so was a shorter ride than I thought which was a GREAT thing as when I finished I was hurting! Claire and Pete were the little rockets and leaded the pack most of the day with their matching bikes (cute)! J Claire and Peter have had to drive back to the airport as Claire left her laptop on the flight ... read more
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Asia » Thailand January 14th 2011

Distance travelled - 34miles/54km Yesterday we really made it... 800km from Bangkok to Khao Lak in 8 days! Again I am speechless and even after saying our goodbyes to Khun Thew and the children from Yasothon last night I was still speechless. Words can not begin to describe the feelings and the emotional impact that this journey has had on both of us. Yesterday we rode into the heart of a beautiful home full of children with smiling faces and our friends and family from back home that came out here to join us at the end (Thanks Mum, Dad and Heidi). This didn’t come before a little hard work on the dreaded 4km climb before enjoying a 7km descent, an elephant on the side of the road and a children from the orphanage escort into ... read more
Our fantastic tour group
Claire, Pete, Kel and Scott
Roadside scenery

Asia » Thailand January 12th 2011

Distance travelled -102kms Today was about making it, and today we made it! I’m almost speechless as I sit in one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve ever been to and reflect on the day and even the last week. There’s mixed emotions going around but right now we feel like we’ve been dropped onto the set of Avatar surrounded by amazing mountains, a glorious pool and thatched roof cabins. If only we could stay here for a week. But no tomorrow is a very big day for us as we make the final 56km journey to Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage but that has not come without some hard work from us all today. The morning began with a very moving pep talk from Pete. Following the surprise visit from the children yesterday the team gathered ... read more
Leaders of the pack
Just keep riding!
Cave stop

Asia » Thailand January 11th 2011

Distance travelled -78 miles/127km There are no words to describe how we’re all feeling after today. I was pretty flat and emotional this morning as I looked down the barrel of a 127km ride but nothing hit Kel and I both as much as the surprise visit from all of Khun Thew’s children from Yasothon Orphanage. The children arrived this afternoon en route to Khao Lak where they will be waiting for us as we cross the finish line. For most of us this was the first time we’ve come face to face with the children and the reason for us making this 800km journey. Not a dry eye in the house as the children accepted donations of shoes - thanks to Scott arranging a donation from Ecko - gave hugs to the riders and were ... read more
WFT? Ship or Building?
Group photo
Riding through town

Asia » Thailand January 11th 2011

Distance travelled - 68 miles/110km Back on the road again today after a much needed rest day yesterday. The legs are feeling stronger and we’re both starting to feel a lot fitter - we even stuck to the front packs for most of today which was an achievement for all. Today we hit the 500km mark and rode through lush, green rolling hills, some more small villages and past one big arsed Buddha! Unfortunately a few people came off their bikes today, Dad being one of them, so he won’t be able to ride for a couple of days. Kel surprised herself today. She came on this ride thinking she’d be back of the pack the whole way but powered her way to the front on some of the legs. Her journey to the front pack ... read more
Kel's bike after a day riding
Sunrise at Chumphon
Scuba Steve

Asia » Thailand January 9th 2011

Distance travelled - 72 miles/116 km’s Talk about a tough day yesterday! So tough we ditched the blog for more massages and the opportunity to let our hair down for the night knowing that we could catch up today. So after a three hour morning ride and stop off in Chumphon for a coffee we’re now sitting in the massage parlour AGAIN! Yesterday was very hard but on the up side it was the first time we really clicked as a team and got each other to the end. I learnt some valuable lessons riding in the front pack (took your advice Dad) and am so grateful for the support from the more experienced riders because without their words of encouragement and high fives at the top I never would have made it up some of ... read more
Water stop
3rd leg front pack
Day 4!




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