Day Eight
Surat Thani to Khao Sok (101 km)
Only 101km today…barely a walk in the park:) Only joking,..but the long rides were in fact getting a tad easier.The first 21km was another highway run which is always a challenge with the driving habits here in Thailand…motor bikes coming at you the wrong way driving in the shoulder, trucks flying past, cars overtaking from the other side of the road (hope my mum’s not reading this…it’s ok mum…it’s all very safe…no, really!)
Then more highways and hills through to our water stop at about 45k. Once again…hot hot hot…and this is apparently the coolest run of weather they’ve had here in years. It’s all relative I suppose. Katelyn of course is doing a roaring trade with the ice cold refresher towels. And I didn’t think it was possible to eat so much chocolate, icecream and chips at every stop…a diet of champions!! Not to mention the Red Bull concentrates which under normal circumstances would have you climbing the walls for days, but on our journey barely see us to the next break.
Finally after more hill climbing in extreme heat – lunch..yeah! But it was soon back on the bikes for more hills, more fun and a few more expletives (not mentioning any names Mel). Mind you, we were now travelling into the Khao Sok National Park and the scenery was stunning. Massive rocky outcrops, sheer cliff faces rising above us and just when we thought the road would never end…our final water stop at a wonderful cave/shrine and river. It was here that Ian shared more of himself with us than we cared to see…but good evidence that we were all in the same boat with the sore butts..if you get my drift.
A short run in to the most beautiful resort and our final night together. The “pool closed for maintenance” sign was never going to be a deterrent frot his hot and sweaty bunch of riders and there were perhaps just a few too many Singhas consumed in the pool over the next few hours…including during a massive storm. Brave men to be cycling the last day with a hangover (don’t you agree Craig??)
The ride wouldn’t have been complete without an awards ceremony which capped off the night. I’d share with you, but what happens on tour stays on tour! A good laugh though and off to bed on our rock hard matresses.
