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The mornings are getting earlier,down for breakfast at 0600 and then a walk down to the river where we are taken by boat up river for around 30 minutes to visit the floating market, what a site. I can only describe it as an Armada of vessels ranging in size carrying anything from cold drinks to lottery tickets to fruit and veg. Initially most people muted -why on earth do we want to visit a floating market at that un-godly hour, this I hasten to add was short lived as everyone was amazed at the site that befell us.
Once finished at the market we were dropped of on the opposite side of the bank to go and collect the bikes. Of we go again along winding waterways and over numerous bridges ranging from brick to wooden which us big lads were somewhat nervy about. Again a good interesting start to the morning's cycling session.
And then it came, a 10Km ride on the road of biblical proportions just before lunch. At this point I have to highlight the fact that there are three distinct groups of cyclist which I have names the A, B and C groups
A group - the Alphas, the pro's the Bradley Wiggins, Lance Armstrong types but without the drugs.
B group - the Beta's, the constantly steady and reliable cyclists, they are to cycling what Dyson is to vacuum cleaners
C group - of which I am part of and the C stands for "Come on give us a chance to catch up"
Back to the 10Km jaunt, the road was very hot, it was windy, everything I hate in a bike ride, the end game was lunch. The Alphas were off, the Beta's were reliably behind them and the "Come on give us a chance to catch up" group were, well trying to catch up quite frankly. I don't mind telling you that I am not ashamed to say I struggled but the 'C's made it. We had completed 70Km. An hour for lunch and then we were off again. This final section was a complete pleasure, again going alongside the river bobbing and weaving past the various dwellings and again the children have been fantastic in coming out and greeting us at every twist and turn.
We finally arrive in Long Xuyen having completed 95Km and a very deserved rest.
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