Day 4 HATW Southern Ride 2015

127kms. A hot day that introduced the "rolling hills" that will also feature tomorrow. 

Sue performed her team Captain duties with aplomb ......and we had no falls so her fines to be paid tonight should be lighter, though 3 punctures amongst the group will cost her. 

Another beautiful days riding starting through coastal coconut plantations, heading inland at times in hotter conditions away from the sea breezes, with some testing hilly sections, and then finishing at a breezy coastal settlement a few kms away from the town of Chumphon ( also the name of the province). 

 As it is the 10 year anniversary of the tsunami there are more riders than usual this year and we have two Southern rides happening at the same time. 

We overlapped with this years other southern ride group who had their rest day the day before us which meant there was a large group on hand to welcome us in.

The welcoming committe included Kru Prateep from the HATW's Thai partner the Duang Prateep  Foundation, staff from Baan Tharn Namchai and staff and children from the DPF homes at Kanchanaburi and Chumphon.

The two ride teams had a combined dinner which was a chance for us to catch up with others we know on the other ride including Narta riders,  Pla and Mild from BTN ( now at university) and  Game and Gift who are working as ride support staff on the other ride. The girls  from Kanchanaburi sang for us and the boys from Chumphon did some fire eating on the beach.

After dinner activities continued long into the night, fuelled by Willow's espresso martinis. Today has been rest and recovery including the obligatory Thai massage. 

Tomorrow's ride is 114kms.....with rolling hills.