Cycling in Asia

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I was by myself today so I decided to try the infamous Lundy self photo when I reached Phangnha Bay (where James Bond Island is)…Today my bike was in full tuned up condition so I decided to get an early start and left Surin Beach at 0630.  It was an absolutely perfect day to ride and it really did not start to get hot until 0930 this morning.

After this quick stop at Phangnha Bay I started the way back to the main highway over the last 25km of rolling hills.  I hit the highway, stopped at the regular drink stop, grabbed whatever looked edible that was not potato chips (see below), then made my way down the highway for the last 40km.  This section of the ride is normally quite easy but sometimes you can get caught off by the heat or wind.

This is what I ate, and it really provided lots of energy for 5-6km.  Anyhow it was windy on the way back so I knew it would be harder than usual getting home, especially since I was on my own.  At exactly 100km, I was trying to shift into an easier gear when my Campagnolo Ergo Grip broke…and I was in the smallest cog at the back.  So even though my front was shifting, the back was not and that was when all the fun started!

 Anybody who rides with this shifter knows that the part that pushes your rear derailleur is gone! (well in my pocket)..it fell off in my hand, right when I really wanted to shift into easier gears.  Anyhow, I suffered in big gears for the next 24km until I hit Thalang bike shop…lucky for me they were open, and they actually said they had a set of new Campagnolo Ergo Shifters….sweet.  So I sat for 1.5 hours while they fixed my new shifters to my bike….need to go tomorrow to pay the guy as I did not have 12000 Baht on me. After my bike was fixed I rode the final 12km home and just ordered two orders of beef fried rice:  one for me, and the other in case I am hungry still…which I was. Off to get a massage and a nap.

Before this happened it was a perfect day.

Well I woke up at 430 today to build my bike and go for a nice long ride…it was then when I realized that when you don’t use a bike for three plus months in a humid climate that your cables can seize up the way my back brake cable did.  I only know a couple of bike shops in Phuket and none of them are open before noon…so it looks like today’s cycling is shot. 

So instead of cycling I had my healthy cycling breakfast and then went for a walk down Surin Beach. It was by far the quietest day I have ever seen on the beach and a really nice day to use the panoramic feature on my Sony TX5 camera.  After a walk on the beach I realized that my healthy cycling breakfast was not that filling so I went to the Surin Bay Inn for a nice bacon and egg sandwich

I arrived last night for a 5 (now 4) day cycling trip.  In a couple of days Kim and Lee will be joining me and apparently there are a few ‘good riders’ already up here that Kim knows….should be a fun trip.  So now I am waiting here at my condo for the bike shop to open…I did however manage to build Kim’s bike which looks completely fine….

Ok so enough of the panoramic feature….the plan is now to go to the bike shop and then head back to Catch for a little lunch before catching NAP 2 this afternoon.

Thanks for a wonderful trip and party in Phuket!

Well we managed to get our bikes assembled yesterday when we arrived in Thailand and get out for a spin today at 630am.  The ride was a 143km out to James Bond Island near Phang Nha Bay which is pictured above.  The weather was perfect to start with having no wind and cool breeze to guide us along Highway 402. Unfortunately it was the opposite when we were returning to Surin Beach – hot as heck and windy too!  Kim blew up a bit near kilometer 115 so I had to give her my Clif bar and we had to stop for some strange Thai sports drink…at least that is what we think it was.    Check out the ride on Garmin

 
OOPS I Forgot

The reason I chose this ride is because it was a flat ride with no climbing.  I did forget one small climb at kilometer 70 which hit 17% gradient.  Kim  reminded me and showed her emotions.  Phuket is known for its extremely steep and hard climbs….which we will do later in the week.

The people in Phuket are very cyclist friendly.  This guy took time from his smoke break to come over and pick up Kim’s bike to see how light it was.  Most of the drivers will honk to say hello along the way too!

POST RIDE

We arrived back at our place at 1pm today and we decided to quickly shower and head over for some lunch at Twin Brothers Restaurant on the beach.  The food was amazing and we went for some foot reflexology afterwards to get our swollen feet some treatment.

Now we are in post ride mode so we will head to the Chedi Hotel which is next to our place in Phuket.  It is two for one cocktail hour.  This passion fruit martini was very popular last night so we will try it again tonight.