Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Nong Khai to Bangkok

After a relaxing time just chilling out on the Mekong river it was finally time to get back on the bike and make the final push to Bangkok and the end of my cycle trip. I got the bike fixed a little but it was still making some strange sounds and wasn't feeling quite right but it made it all the way. The riding was good as the road was excellent but it was highway riding which isn't the best but it meant the km went passed quickly. After my first day back on the road I got sick so had to kick back in Udon Thani for a rest day. From there it was all good riding while stopping at some nice but less touristy Thai cities along the way. I got one final puncture which changed my destination for that day meaning it would be an extra day on the road but as it turned out it was another interesting one. I arrived in a small town as I was tired and needed to get out of the sun for the day so began looking for a hotel. I was told after some time that there was only one hotel in town and that was back on the main road so I cycled out there to find out it was a 'love hotel'. Oh well, I've stayed in a couple before under similar circumstances so checked in to the much amusement of the staff. 'Just a room for one please' wasn't what their usual clients asked for!! After a good nights sleep I was up early heading into Bangkok which as expected turned out to be a nightmare as the roads are all highways and most of the signs are in Thai characters making it impossible for me to understand. After a few wrong turns and plenty of stops to ask for directions I finally made it to my destination in central Bangkok. Tired but so stoked that I completed my cycling trip I had a beer to celebrate with two French cyclists I just met.
It has definitely been one hell of an adventure with numerous experiences that I will never forget. I've met so many great people and interacted with a number of different cultures making my experiences all the richer. I wouldn't have got half as far without the support, encouragement, blog comments and emails from my all family and friends so a big thank you to you all.
Where to from here? Working I guess which I'm sure will come as a shock!! Well, I hope the blog has been enjoyable and I'm just glad I could share some of my experiences with you all. It was possibly the hardest thing I've done but would I do it all again.......in a heart beat.
Thanks again, signing out Reevesy-Ryder!

Riding Stats
> 27th Oct - 58km
> 29th Oct - 121km
> 30th Oct - 194km
> 1st Nov - 110km
> 2nd Nov - 100km
> 3rd Nov - 90km
SEA total - 4561km
SA total - 8618km
Grand total - 13,179km

Other Stats
Highest Cycling - 4700m (Bolivia)
Longest Day - 215km (Peru)
Shortest Day - 6km (Chile)
Punctures - 5 plus one blow out
Crashes - only one (Colombia)
Daily Average distance (SEA) - 103km
Daily Average distance (SA) - 108km

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Impressive stats!!! You should be really proud of what you've accomplished!!! What a year for you eh. Now I'm waiting for the book to come out and as promised, I'll at least buy 10 copies, ha ha ha.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, we are very proud of your achievements and yes a book would be a great idea as I am sure there are a lot more tales to share. We have so enjoyed your blog photos etc its been so interesting. Always take care

Love M & D

Anonymous said...

Love hotel huh? Well when you're backed up you're backed up. You deserve it! Been real great to see your journey. Congrats bro!

Anonymous said...

well done mate, congratulations!! we'll be waiting for you here, will organize some kind of welcome back -BBQ at northy's place.!

take care
tino

Anonymous said...

Congrats Bro!!
Great job on finding the only hotel in town !! {Sure}.
na great job i wish i could get off the couch and go for a ride. Thanks for a great Blog!!
Take Care Pies.

Anonymous said...

Awesome trek dude! The blog has been a real delight to read -- You've got talent Mate! Also, congratulations on cycling for so many kms. Good on Ya!

Waiting for the book as well. Especially the section on the Love Hotel :o
Cheers,
Steve C.

Anonymous said...

Pedrovaselino,

"O" for awesome. Pete I have been living your travels through this blog and face a sense of loss as the end. Please don't stop! Do you have a paypal account so we can fund a few nights on the third edition! The silkroad? Ride all the way to the TDF in July?

Later dude Hippovelo

Anonymous said...

I wonder what we will do for entertainment for next year now we have no Blog to read, photo's to see and anticipation of the next leg.We both are very proud of your achievements and will miss the adventure as much as you.
See you soon.
Dad

Iwan said...

wow!nice one. youve finally finished and did`nt get tempted to open your own love hotel. i guess doing all that laundry might get boring unless you opt for plastic sheets! off to marocco on sat for a month cycling as well. got a shiny new MB with front suspension for extra comfort.all the best and keep us posted on what your up to.
iwan

Anonymous said...

Hello ! I'm the french lady cyclist !... Gorgan and me, We met in Bangkok ... and we drank some beers together ...
I came back in France ... and Gorgan is always around the world on his bike. We separated to Shangri La (North Yunnan). After Tibet - NĂ©pal, he is in India, and he's going in Islamabad (pakistan)... He goes fast !
I hope that everything is ok for you, and You can restart with your cycle quickly ;o) kiss. Sandrine (www.plusloinplushaut.over-blog.com)