HATW Southern Ride 2015 days 1,2 & 3

After the Northern ride the riders flew back to Bangkok from Ubon Ratchathani. Sue flew up from Kao Lak. 2 days break in Bangkok between rides was enough time to do some washing, have a massage and get the tooth fixed I broke on the last day of the Northern ride...for the princely sum of $50. We caught up with Pottsy and his partner Em up from Hua Hin and dined with them and Annette and Sasha Gray at the infamous Cabbages and Condoms.

The night before the ride we had a function on the roof of the hotel for all 100 riders who will be riding in two split Southern rides this year. The function was attended by both the Australian and NZ ( Rueben Levermore) ambassadors to Thailand. Photos to come....once Nickie R-J sends them to me :-). 

Day 1

Much excitement and hustle and bustle with double the number of usual riders in the hotel. Our bus trip out of Bangkok to start the ride got out of the Bangkok traffic with relative ease and we made good time to the Petchaburi coast.

At the start line we caught up with Khun Rotjana and some of the kids and staff from Baan Tharn Namchai including Saow, Jeng and Porn who are all now at university near Petchaburi.

The ride down to Hua Hin was a nice flat short introduction ride of 65 kms. Noticeably hotter and smoother than the Northern Ride. Sue hit her stride quickly riding faster in the group ( with ease) than the speeds she has trained at.

We arrived in time for a dip in the pool and after dinner headed into Hua Hin town to catch up again with Pottsy an Em.

Day 2

125km day. A hot mainly flat day with varied riding surfaces and scenery. Leaving Hua Hin we rode next to the coast and through farmland and salt flats  before a highway stretch and finally back down to our coastal destination of Prauchap Kiri Khan.

Many of the riders ticked off their first 100km + day including Sue who didn't have too many problems despite riding with a cold and sore throat.

 

Day 3

A relatively short day at 75kms began with a leisurely ride across the local airforce base to feed a friendly variety if monkeys 

Some beautiful coastal scenery today and pleasant to hot riding conditions.. 

Nickie Race-Jones from NZ was team captain for the day and did a great job though was heavily fined by the nightly fines committee for the 4 riders that had falls today.

The day finished with a steep climb up to a beautiful temple followed by a short run into Ban Krut our destination for a late lunch of traditional day 3 pasta at Byron's place.

Day 4 looms with 127kms and some rolling hills as we head to our rest day. Team Captain tomorrow....Sue Blair.