Arrival at Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage

Hard to believe that today’s the day. A short 54km run into the orphanage, but not before a nice little 4km hill climb to get the hearts pumping! Oh, and have I mentioned that it was hot! Our gun cyclists of course tackled the hill like they would a slight bump in the road, Andrew looking like he was riding a motorbike and Daniel doing it a couple of times just to be sure. But the AWARD OF THE HILL goes to Sandra who casually glided past hubby and left him for dead…the beers taking their toll perhaps…to casually pull up at the top barely breathing!!!
Then a magnificent downhill run for 6-7kms. Sucking in all that fresh air and willing our legs to take us the last part of the journey. And what an experience awaited us all….
4kms our from Takua Pa (and the Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage) the children (10yrs and above) joined us for the ride in which was such a buzz. Highway patrol closed the roads, film crews everywhere (well I exaggerate ever so slightly for effect) but you get my drift. What an incredible feeling to arrive at the orphanage to be met by the local community, a marching band, floral garlands for our heads (very fashionable) and of course, most importantly, the inspiration for the ride – the beautiful children of Baan Tharn Namchai.
I simply can’t describe the emotion, the elation, the pride and the relief we were all feeling. Suffice to say there were lots of hugs and tears of joy all round. Tired legs and aching butts were all soon forgotten.
Peter and Gill joined Khun Prateep and Khun Rotjana in openning the 2nd orphanage officially and we were all treated to a delicious lunch. But not before some Thai style aerobics which Ian felt the need to join in on and yes, you guessed it – we were soon all up doing aerobics with our Thai friends (check out the particularly unflaterring photos on this blog). Celebrations, speeches, more lovely food and wonderful dancing from the children led us into the night. Katelyn presented to Khun Rotjana a fabulous THB 7,532 that she, Jack and Kelsea had raised during the ride..our budding young fundraisers at work! 
And as we quietly took off for a final beer together on the beach we certainly had a lot to reflect on.
What a journey it had been. What an incredible achievement from each and every one of our star riders:
Mike Mitchell, Jerry Pearce, Andrew Bennett, Daniel Murray, Steph Ellis, Mel Ryan, Sandra & Craig Panagiris, Ian & Gill Williams, Scott Stein, Tony Love-Linay, Nicole Perry,  Peter Baines, the kids – Lachie, Kelsea and Jack Baines, and yours truly, Brigid Gibson. With our fabulous support crew – John Baines, Andrew Gibson, Katelyn Panagiris and film crew Shane and Max McLachlan. 

The pain was fading fast as our last conversation for the night was…..

….should we do it all again next year?????

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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.

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Nerves were running a tad high this morning as we prepared for our biggest day yet – 130kms! Keen to get us off to an early start, Steph had the troops all in order and we were on the bikes by 7.30am after a quick “Happy Birthday” song for Sandra who decided to forego Paris this year in favour of 130km bike ride for charity on her birthday…way to go Sandra!!! A lovely gentle and short ride to our first stop and thankfully the cool of the morning keeping our energy levels high. The rest day must have re-envigorated us all (as it certainly wasn’t the breakfast!) and the fitness levels were starting to kick in as we hooned along to the next water stop at the 36km mark. The kids were riding strong and Lachie was trying not to break anymore bike chains!

Max decided it was time for a go on a real bike, but soon decided that filming from a motorbike was easier. Luckily dad Shane showed him how to do it later on…although we did notice that he too made a quick retreat for the motor bike:) The kids were treated to a pillion ride (all very safe of course with helmets and not too fast) and Kelsey soon realised her talents may well lie in the film industry. Meanwhile Katelyn’s refresher towel scheme was working a treat…although being in the tail van and not the lead van had our gun riders waiting a while for refreshment!

Lunch was a great relief after a long 29km flat (but scenic) and hot ride. 85km behind us and it was only 1.30pm. Two more 25km stints and we were there. After stocking up on Milo bars, Oreos and icecreams at the last water stop it was on to the home stretch and a WICKED head wind along the highway that almost saw the end of us. But never fear – we were into Surat Thani by 3.45pm – 15 mins earlier than yesterday and 30kms longer! What a team!!!

A swim, a massage, a nice dinner, a large supermarket for all those needs (including wine!!) and it was off for our second last nights sleep on the journey. It was all drawing to a close much too soon…now who would have thought we’d be saying that!!!!

Photos (guest photograper: Jerry)

Ah, what a wonderful rest day that was! Day five of riding and a newfound energy as we gather to set out on our 105km journey for the day. And the good news…we’re all still talking to each other!!! Scott Stein (Hands Director) has joined the ride for the last half of the journey, so we’re up to 18 riders including the kids – quite a pack and quite an impression we’re making as we peddle through tiny villages and townships.

It’s hard to believe we would ever use the terms “105kms riding” and “enjoyable” in the same sentence, but that’s what it was..and those were the words on everyone’s lips. Mind you, still some sore body parts but some nice short runs of 15-20kms in to our water stops, beautiful scenery of rice fields and palm trees and FLAT – YIPEE!! Only 1 short sharp killer hill at the end and then a nice cruise along the beach into the fishing village of Lang Suang for the night. Despite the mossies, coachroaches and lack of bed linen, sleep is sleep and an early night was had by all…well except the hard core stayers – Mike, Steph, Andrew, Daniel and Jerry who are doing us proud on the
drinking front:)

Hard to believe we’re 505kms into the journey which seemed to only start a few days ago. For those of us wondering if we could ever in a pink fit cycle 760kms in 8 days, the end is looking a whole lot closer and everyone is keen to hit the orphanage for the celebrations with the staff and children.

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At Rest

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.

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Day three and it’s funny how 75km all of a sudden feels like a short day! After being greeted by the most stunning sunrise over the water we set off for one of the most scenic rides so far. Beautiful countryside and beaches. As we ride through a military base we stop to feed the local monkeys (not so vicious this time)! We cut onto the highway for a short but undulating 10km and then it’s some very scenic and fun off-road cycling along dirt tracks through forests of palm trees. First stack of the trip goes to Daniel who while putting his camera away and riding with one hand, slams on the breaks when the group slows in front (no Jerry, we’re not blaming you) – and over the handle bars he goes. Lots of sympathy and a hug from Nicole put things right as he bravely jumped back on and kept going. 
Mind you, it did give him extra air time with our fabulous film crew – Shane and Max! Max, who has been riding backwards on a motorbike for 3 days (think Tour de France – just a little bit slower) with dad Shane skillfully navigating the tricky Thai traffic was probably relieved to actually film someone who was standing still for a change!

Lunch came at the end of the ride a further 30km on and was well worth the wait – yummy Italian – a great change in menu. Ban Krut and a lovely hotel across the road from the beach awaited us. Now we don’t want you to think we’re not doing it tough…but an afternoon by the pool (with just a couple of beers) was much appreciated by all.

By this stage, Katelyn (11) was well into her entrepreneurial ventures, along with chief financial officer Jack (10) and senior business parter Jerry (too old to mention). Raising money for Hands by offering an ipod charging service (more if you didn’t bring a cable), shoulder massages, hammock swings and more, she topped it off with a “frozen face washer at every water stop” scheme that would have made Donal Trump proud!! In close cohorts with Katelyn was Steph who was brought into the venture as a senior consultant. So, while mum and dad (Craig and Sandra) were doing it tough on the bike with the rest of us, Katelyn was doing them proud!

Swims, beach time, massages, and yummy Thai food to try and lull us back into a false sense of security as we repress the thought that the next day was another 120km ride!

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Day two had us all wondering – whose idea was this!!!! The morning started out with a lovely gentle ride together through pineapple fields, around interesting tiny back streets, past lakes of glass-like water and on to the coast again. What a gorgeous sight awaited us with the sun on the water, fishing boats and the locals to greet us along the way. We stopped to feed the baby elephant on the side of the road and to help a group of fishermen get their stranded boat into the water.

As we hit the heat of the day, with a 25km highway run that was a bit of a kill, and a long long long ride, complete with headwind, into our next water stop the challenge began. The reward, however, was a stunning temple (or Wat) set against a backdrop of a sheer cliff face. A nice photo shoot and a bit of an extra long stop which  made for a rather long day….made a tad longer of course by a wrong turn (no Jerry, we’re really not blaming you) which added another 5km to our 116km day.

Lunch was a long time coming (at the 88km mark) and somehow pad thai doesn’t seem as appealing in the middle of a very hot and sweaty ride. It was nice, however, to have the worst of the day behind us and we all made the last 30km into Prachuap Kiri Khan to be greeted by some rather vicious monkeys…followed by a much needed cold beer!

For most normal human beings, this would have been enough of a challenge for the day, but not for Jerry and Tony who found the energy to run (not walk) 3km up hill to a temple – while the rest of us were totally crashed out or in the pool. They did however rasine another $A 750 for the orphage through bets made before setting off…what a great effort!!

Dinner, more massages (a couple more beers) and off to bed to recover.

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Petchaburi to Hua Hin (88km)

Day one and we were all very keen to get on our bikes and get peddling. After a short drive out of the heart of Bangkok we were given a wonderful farewell, along with orchid garlands and songs of encouragement, by a group of children, Khun Prateep and Khun Rotjana from the orphanage.  

The 88km cycle to Hua Hin was flat, scenic and RELATIVELY easy as we all got our cycling legs going. We passed through salt fields and small towns, gorgeous coastal scenery – on everything from highways to small country laneways. The kids were off to a strong start putting us all to shame by cycling most of the way with us – with John in the support car making sure we were all safe of course!!! 

Ian with his rather large sheepskin seat was the envy of everyone, so just to make sure he wasn’t doing it too easy, Tony decided to load up his bike with paraphenalia – a toy windmill, fluffy toys and of course some very special pink streamers on the handlebars. The team spirit had begun on a wonderful note and the chatter was both enthusiastic and interesting, while the scenery kept our minds off our butts and thighs:) Water stops (and the occasional ice cream stop) were plentiful and lunch at Cha Am a welcomed break…but not as welcome as the beach and pool that awaited us at the end of day one. Dinner and a LONG walk to the night markets for more ice cream saw the end of Day 1 as we all crashed pretty exhausted, but happy to have the first ride behind us.

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