HATW 2nd ride Last Day Khao Sok to Baan Than Namchai 55kms GPS + photos

Last day of the ride. A day full of all sorts of emotions and one that is pretty hard to describe.

For those of us (6) completing the two rides this year there was a surprise presentation of a yellow 1600km club jersey the night before. Returning riders Dan Murray and Tony Love Linay who rode 1600 kms last year were also presented with a "yella" to wear.

Day 8 of this (Southern) ride starts with excitement and some fear and trepidation as after a relatively gentle beginning "The Big Hill" looms.

 Last year I punctured half way up so I had yet to ride the hill ( 4kms up) in one go. It was harder than I expected/remembered and  I was fairly happy when the summit appeared. Kudos goes to everyone as everyone conquered it. A great bonding experience....not that the group hadn't bonded already. Michael Pattinson rode the whole hill in the hardest gear as he has done all ride for extra sponsorship...something I would not have believed if I hadn't seen it. There were other heroes as well each with their own stories of courage.

Susan Dean summiting...and celebrating.

Kwang resting at the summit with Vic Rollins (one of our great bike mechanics).

Mr Jeng Rocker never stopped taking photos... except when being photographed

Following the big hill up....comes the big down hill and the ride into Takua Pa and Baan Than Namchai. My top speed was 59kms down the hill.....I braked a lot.

Along the way......Chang is not just a beer....

Last water stop.... someone figured  there were about 80 of these over the two rides.

The road to Takua Pa. I punctured again. Just a reminder that it is not over until it is over.

We stopped to regroup at the temple in Takau Pa and were welcomed in by a delegation of children and staff from Baan Than Namchai. This is the temple where thousands of bodies were initially brought after the Boxing Day Tsunami. This time a scene of joy and happiness.

For the final few kms to the orphanage we rode with the children ( and some Thai police on fancy motorbikes).

A great emotional welcome in to the orphanage from friends and  family - Thai and farang. Thanks to the boys of Rising Foundation (pictured below) for stirring my heart even more with a welcoming haka. For me riding into Baan Than  Namchai feels like coming home. To have a haka feels like a circle completed.

I put the camera away at this point but Sue has some more photos to be posted of the celebrations.  The kids danced and performed for us, we had a feast for lunch then later that night the big all in dinner at Le Meridien with graduating students heading for tertiary education presented, and lots of singing and dancing. A celebration of life and the bonds between those who live across the water from each other.

Thankyou to all my sponsors and supporters, the family and friends that were there to meet me at the end of both rides, to the fantastic crew at Tour de Thailand, and to all my fellow riders. It was a pleasure riding with you.

HATW 2nd ride Last Day Khao Sok to Baan Than Namchai 55kms GPS photos by Paekak at Garmin Connect - Details