Southern Ride Days 6,7 & 8 (final day)

 There is always debate over which is the hardest day of the Southern ride. For some who haven't ridden 100kms in a day before it is Day 2. For most it is probably a choice between Day 6 - the long (144kms) flat often windy straights into Surat Thani or Day 7, the hills of Kao Sok National Park. Day 7 is the only day we don't end back at sea level.

This year we were blessed with some tail winds on Day 6, the trade off being we also had some rain which coincided with riding through muddy stretches of road works. 

The sun had returned by lunchtime, a feast of chicken fried rice and the best noodle soup on tour.

This year and last year on Day 6 we have avoided riding into the sizeable  town of Surat Thani spending  the last 30 kms on a circuitous route through rubber plantations to get to the hotel on the outskirts of town.

Ladies circle

Old(er) blokes

 The sun was dipping low in the sky when we reached the hotel and for many the legs were pedalling in ever slower circles. 

 The bonus was a welcoming committee of children and staff from Baan Home Hug enroute to take part in the ride finish  at Baan Tharn Namchai. The kids were very happy to see Mae Thiew come im her bike, and the riders were able to forget their weariness for a while, whilst we shared in their excitement.

 Ja from Home Hug

At dinner 15 year old Sasha Gray from Wellington was named as captain for Day 7, and spoke emotionally about leaving a Russian orphanage as a 4year old and what it meant to her to see the hope Hands Across the Water provides to the children it supports. More than a few in the room were left  teary eyed from her words.

Day 7 began with some cool riding on flat and gently rising roads as we left Surat Thani bound for the limestone hills of Kao Sok National Park. 

As the day wore on the heat and the hills increased. After a sharp climb to a hydro dam we rode a challenging 24km leg of hills to a late lunch at the Reggae Restsurant, the highlight there being the now traditional feed of homemade coconut icecream. For many the heat, hills and late lunch made this the hardest leg of the ride.

Day 7 after lunch saw us journey into the beautiful hills of Kao Sok to our last night together as a group.... and the pool party. That night all riders and staff were acknowledged individually and green jerseys handed out to those completing 1600kms of riding ( northern + southern rides) tomorrow.

Day 8 the final day.

Always a day of mixed emotions. For first time riders there is the fear of " the big hill", the 4km climb out of Kao Sok. The elation of conquering the hill and the 7km downhill on the other side then gives way to some sadness that the adventure is soon to come to an end.

Summiting.

Annette & Sasha at the top of "the hill".

The 100+ kilogram club.

 

The emotion continues as we ride towards Takua Pa and the temple where the thousands of tsunami dead were brought to be identified and claimed....

and brought about the establishment of Hands Across the Water by Peter Baines and Gill Williams through their work there in 2004/5.

The welcoming scenes at the temple and riders acknowledgemts of each other's achievements are always something special. This year with the  two rides (100 riders) coming together at the temple the scene was spectacular. 

Then we had the final 2km ride to Baan Tharn Namchai and the welcome proper. Flowers,cold towels, drinks, music, dancing, speeches, photos, great food....and some very happy kids.

Together again with family and friends from home and from Thailand sharing the love and reminding ourselves of the underlying reason why we have done the ride(s) - to try and give some children the same opportunities that we may take for granted.

That night we have the annual finishing dinner at the hotel and recognise some if the children from the various homes graduating high school and going on to tertiary study...and Game graduating from University with a law degree. 

Sue and I paid his first 2 years of university fees. Now Hands has a program in place to support a number of children in their tertiary study something that will hopefully bear fruit for those kids individually but also for the sustainability of the children's homes we support into the future.

 Thankyou to all of you who have supported Sue and I  financially or otherwise for our rides. You have all made a difference in some children's lives.