And so it began…the long and winding road from (just outside) Bangkok to Khao Lak. It is hard to imagine why anyone would consider cycling 800kms in 8 days in the heat and on dangerous, dirty Thai roads, in the relentless heat. And yet, the largest group of riders ever (52) has now set off.
It is the 10 year anniversary of the 2014 Boxing Day Tsunami, which is how Hands Across The Water started, led by the intrepid Peter Baines, who helped with the forensic work and identifying the bodies after the horrific event that killed nearly 250,000 across Asia.
Each rider has to raise $10,000 to take part in the ride and with over 100 riders this year, we have raised a huge sum of money to help support the gorgeous children of Thailand and their communities.
Hands has grown, the bike ride has grown and it is my second ride. The welcome party last night was like a huge reunion, reconnecting with people I have not seen for over a year. We even met the new New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, Reuben.
We set off this morning at about 7.30am out of Bangkok by bus, excited, nervous and slightly awkward in our new lycra outfits. The shirts and knicks this year are great and even have NICKIE 2013 and 2015 down the side, to indicate how many times you have ridden. With 76% repeat riders, it is like a big reunion of old friends, all committed to the same end goal: getting safely to the end of the ride and making a difference through this fantastic cause.
The camaraderie of the group is very important in those moments when you become challenged. I remember from last time that when you are at the point of wanting to get off the saddle and either lie down or start walking, someone amazing will cycle alongside you and offer encouragement, riding tips or a giggle. That is the power of the group.
Khun Mae Thiew is riding with us again, and she is doing the whole 1600kms in her orange monk robes. (The fact that she is wearing orange is apparently a bit of a feminist defiance, as women normally wear white). The men are not allowed to touch her, so we girls make up for that with lots of hugs. Mae Thiew runs Home Hug orphanage, where the northern ride ends and she is such an inspiring and amazing women, with her own personal challenges to overcome. However, she is riding for her children who will be at the end of the ride to see her.
Khun Rotana and Monchai were there this morning to see us off as well as some of the children supported by Hands. I told them to give my Tom a big kiss from me at BTN when they go back tomorrow. He and Angie are busy painting and doing jobs, but I think he is missing me all the same.
Today was a relatively gentle “training ride”, only 60kms and the roads are far better than in the north. We arrived early at the Imperial Hotel in Hua Hin and relaxed by the pool. Tonight we will go to the night markets and I plan an early night in anticipation of a more challenging 123kms ride tomorrow.
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