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Monday was our first big ride after our two 35k warm up rides on Saturday and Sunday. We'd planned an 80k ride today, but in the end we rode over 90 to the town of Kampong Cham. No wonder the finish point seemed so elusive for that last half hour or more. The team rose to the challenge and "got the job done".
We were on the bus by 7am for the hour or so ride to our starting point. It would have been impossible to ride out from our zero start hotel in Kampong Thom because the driving conditions and the roads were dangerous.
An intensely hot day Monday shaped up to be a long day in the saddle, starting at 8:30 and finishing between 4-5:00pm. In addition to broken sealed roads turning into dirt roads without warning and sometimes changing direction in unexpected ways, and potholes, sometimes a foot or more deep, we encountered quite a few incidents today. Deep, wet, sludgy mud in rural Cambodia following recent rains (none of us trained for or expected that), nor were we properly equipped for some of the long and deep stretches (causing the local people a few chuckles as we picked ourselves out of it). There were hills that sapped our strength in the midday heat and an abundance of assorted traffic hazards...speeding cars on narrow roads, mopeds, motorbikes and more mopeds (sometimes riding against traffic on the wrong side of the street and often carrying 3 or 4 people), cows, water buffalo, dogs, tractors, dirt, dust and exhaust fumes. You can't take any chances on these roads, especially if you're on a bike.
As we got into the lush green country back roads and small villages we encountered hundreds of friendly faces. Kids and parents stood outsides their homes and businesses to cheer us along and say hello as our "purple blur" whizzed through town. While there are only so many waves, hellos and high fives you can deliver while riding, in one day, the good natured attitude of the local people lifted our spirits and took our mind off our aches and pains.
We're all pretty happy with our accommodation tonight, a major step up from Sunday night.
Paul Conn
- comments
Narda Siegel Glenn - hoping you are making it through, I know Texas is hot but it sounds brutal. The team misses you and is rooting your success
Glenn Koster Jr Thanks Narda. We are all like family helping each other through the tough stretches.