The last big beast to slay on the cycling trip is the 110km run to Hue.

That's the longest run of the holiday, but c40 km in is the intimidating 10km unbroken ascent up the Hai Van pass. Mainly up a 1:10 gradient, it occasionally dips to 1:5 and once to 1:3.

When Clarkson was here for his famous Top Gear Vietnam special, he called it the most beautiful coastal road in the world. It may be, but mainly in a car or on a moped.

I promised myself that no matter how slow I had to go, I simply would not stop till I got to the top. I was also going to try and stay out of bottom gear.

I'm carrying about 25 kilos, or 50 pounds, more weight than the rest of the group, but I did it. Sadly I had to drop to bottom gear for one hairpin, but otherwise I was solid.

Broken, but happy.