Day Four
Ban Krut to Chumphon Cabanas (94km)
Day four and now we’re hurting. The longest and hardest day yet from Ban Krut to Chumphon …with what Chris, our tour guide from Tour de Thailand, likes to call little rises or gently undulating hills!!
A little tense as we set off for what we knew was going to be a long day with a few of us starting the feel the effects of all that chilli in the food!! The biggest decision for the day was not about cycling technique up the hills but rather whether or not to use the dodgy toilets at some of our breaks or wait for the next stop!
As the mercury rose, the shade of the palm trees long behind us, the heat began to take its toll. Hills at every turn – long slow climbs- and longer straighter never-ending country roads. Incredible restraint from all not to abuse the film guys at the top of the hill capturing every moment of pain:)
Stack number two sees Tony catapulting over a speed hump – breaking his bike seat – but luckily no bones! A passing ambulance obviously felt no need to stop and enquire as to his well being – but first aid was close at hand with our support crew. Any normal human being would have called it a day, but not Tony who was back on his bike after a quick seat change and off with the lead pack (all those fit people up the front – Mike, Jerry, Daniel, Andrew, Steph, Mel, Ian, Gill, Pete and Nicole)
Lunchtime at the 89km mark and it was HOT HOT HOT! Chumphon still seemed a long way away. More hills, more fun! But as we regrouped for the last 7km run into our hotel along a lovely beach road, all of a sudden all was well with the world..particularly with the knowledge that day 5 was a rest day – YEAH!
So with 400km behind us and more than half way there, an exhausted group of riders crashed for a much earned rest by the pool and beach.
