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It's
difficult to put words to the experience that was, and my
feelings of having done this ride with my sister (on ya' Caz!!)
but a few words i will share:
It was fantastic to have reached the target amount of over
$12,000! Thank you
again to all who sponsored. The generosity staggers me! There
were 32 riders in the group this year and while Hands are
still processing the last of the cheques to calculate the
final amount raised by the team, we know we're heading close
to the $400,000 mark, which is just incredible!! I know some
feel that charity should begin at home, but in the true spirit
of global citizenship, we've now done that bit more to assist
the kids and community of Phang-Nga, devastated by the Boxing
Day Tsunami.
The ride itself was magic. How can riding along palm-lined
beaches in a land of beautiful smiles and delicious food be
anything but great? I take my hat off to Daniel Murray aka
Trailer Trash, who hauled 35-kg behind his bike the entire
800km distance, including the 4km mountainous incline on the
last day. What was in the bag? Check out his blog at: http://handsbikeride.blogspot.com/
(scroll down to Day 3). You do stretch the definition of nuts,
my friend ;-)
What can be squeezed into a 10-day experience? Trying topping
this: 800 km of monkeys, elephants, and Giant Buddhas soaring
to the skies; salt plains, coastline, tropical forest, beaches
and seas to dive for; pool parties, beach parties, and a pub
night to cap off a punishing 10km run + 120km ride (the group
sponsored me generously to do a run one morning, so naturally
the 4am start wasn't an obstacle!); a 40th (happy returns
Bobby!), an Australia Day toast (celebrated the good ol' fashioned
way with beer in boardies), a welcome lunch at Baan Tharn
Namchai Orphanage, the final drink stop; a celebratory dinner
on the beach at Le Meridien, Khao Lak (now there's a resort
to stay at) which came with a wedding!! (nothing like saddle
sores for your wedding night, Andrew!!) and, a Sports Day
at Baan Tharn on the 27th to signal the end of another unbelivable
journey. I'm thrilled to give the Sports Day report that the
HATWA Bike Boys nailed it in the first BTNO annual Aust v.
Burma soccer match, but not quite so pleased to mention the
volley ball mis-match, where the BTN Beauties smashed the
Aussie shellas. The kids must be thanked for beating drums,
singing up a storm and sponging down sweaty sportsmen of all
ages and nationalities!
So there you have it. Another ride comes to a close but with
it, more stunning memories that you could reasonably expect
from a 12-month period...and all in just 10 days!
..now to rest, and to thank the heavens every morning i rise,
that i am now off the saddle.
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