Peter Baines has always said that the ride is the reward you get for the fundraising effort that we all did last year. Yesterday, I really understood how true that is.
I can honestly say that this was the best day I had ever had on a bicycle. It was long, very hot but sufficiently challenging to really get into some wonderful riding, accompanied by some great tunes and conversations. The group is really bonding now and I am so lucky to be with so many extraordinary people, not to mention the head gear and eye wear!
Sue was our intrepid leader for the day and I was amazed at how strong her riding is now. No accidents or lost riders today either, although Dan did have two punctures!
The road was long but the hills were undulating and the highway had wide shoulders which were perfect for riding. Long climbs up the hills were rewarded with fast downhill stretches which served briefly to dry off the sweat that was running off us. Each of the six legs were about 20kms each with a welcome water stop in between, where we refuel on iced coffee, fruit and electrolytes before getting back in the hot seat. Riding on long stretches like that gave us the opportunity to ride in groups and benefit from the stronger riders’ slipstream! When you have been riding as long as I have (!), you start to learn all the terminology!
We had a fantastic lunch, starting with ice cold young coconut juice and very spicy pork skewers , salads and fried rice. The chillis certainly cleared the sinuses and the stops are very welcome and rejunenating.
We arrived at the beach village near Champhon at about 5pm after about 9 hours on the road to be greeted by some of the staff and girls from BTN, with Kru Prateep, such an amazing and inspiring woman, who was born into the slums but ended up in government and now heads up her foundation which works with Hands.
Some of the girls from the Champion home were there to perform for us. For those of you that attended the Auckland Night of Celebration, these were the girls that performed there. The boys from the New Life project who put on a fire eating show.
Peter shared about the 5 year vision for Hands which was wonderful to hear. It is incredible to see the results of how much our efforts make a difference to these children, some of whom are now at University.
The rest of the night turned into an overdue excuse to let our hair down and to celebrate my birthday. There is another girl, Jodie on the trip who shares the same birthday, which meant double trouble.
What goes on bike tour, stays on bike tour.
Peter shared about the 5 year vision for Hands which was wonderful to hear. It is incredible to see the results of how much our efforts make a difference to these children, some of whom are now at University.
The rest of the night turned into an overdue excuse to let our hair down and to celebrate my birthday. There is another girl, Jodie on the trip who shares the same birthday, which meant double trouble.
What goes on bike tour, stays on bike tour.
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