Today Temp : 26 - 34c
Time on Bike : 5hr 51 min
Ave Speed : 21.0 kmh Max: 37.0 kmh
Ave Climb : 1% Max: 3%
Altitude: 126 m Max: 97m
Today spending : 125baht Total: 10542baht
An early start at 7.30am in Bella-bella Riverview guesthouse,feeling strong and raring to go after having rested 4 days. For the 1st time, I had clean up and lube my bike in the bathroom yesterday,with my bike sparkling clean and armed with a city map,I am off on my own.The morning traffic was light with mostly taxi and buses on the roads, missing obviously are the private cars and the motorcycles,being Sunday,guess most are still on the beds. After crossing the Chao Praya river on the Khrung Thon Bridge,Phutta Monthon is the next big town to aim on Highway 338.It then join to Highway 4 at Nakhon Pathom where I rest stop for lunch.The traffic started to get intense and the narrow shoulder has many uneven surfaces and patches of sands/stones. I have to be on top of my nerve cycling on this mad mad Highways.At Ban Pong ,the 80 km mark,the unexpected happens. I saw a man in his 50's, flag me down in front.He spoke Thai to me,but I pointed the Malaysia flag,then he realised and started to speak "OK" English " where you going sir?" `" kanchanaburi" I replied. "what's your plan there?'' The conversation looks good "I want to see the Bridge over the River Kwae,you know? maybe have a train ride?" He seem very interested on my plan and say "How can I help you?" The chances for a free stay looks positive " Can I stay in your house?" He seem surprised at my direct shooting but soon recover and say " Ya,Ya! no problem you can stay in my farm house" " Thank you Sawadee Cup" I unloaded my panniers, the bike and 123 everything into the back of his Isuzu 4x4 mpv. When inside the car,I came to know his name is Udom and is a diehard cyclist here.He even plan out the itinerary for me " Today I bring you to the old market in Ban Pong and tomorrow we ride together to Kanchanaburi to see the bridge and come back by train,ok?'' " What more can I say " " Ok Sawadee cup" But what I didn't know is after having my bath and change to a new clothing in his farm house,he came back with his touring bike with full cyclist outfits " come let's go " It's hard to say no. So off we go with me following behind at a very fast pace 25-30 kmh. We rode along the backyard of small roads with sugarcane and maize fields in between.Another of his friend named Tao joins in later on his racing bike. At the end of the ride, our bikes were carry in Tao's car and back to the farm house. Tired,but happy at their enthusiasm in cycling.Tomorrow will be another long day as i was told 130 km . Crazy peoples of Amazing Thailand!!!
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