If you're in HCMC come join us for:
The Last Supper
Thursday 7.30
The new La Cantina - opposite the old (the same but more roomy).
Will have dinner and drinks and you can say good bye to all your friends!
Monday, 26 October 2009
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Day 2 Hoa Binh to Vu Ban
Day two was an adventure. What should have been a short day turned to a long one as many of us took a wrong turn. Though, in the end we all made it to Vu Ban, through dusty dilapidated roads in one piece.
Day 1 Hanoi to Hoa Binh
Day one of the ride was pretty simple. We drove to the outskirts of Hanoi then toâk a straight shot on Highway 6 to Hoa Binh. Its approximately 80 klicks from the center of Hanoi so the ride was about 70k. It was chessboard flat for the first 30k or so then it's was all up-hill. Hòa Bình means peace in Vietnamese, and let's hope it's a peaceful place because will need it after our first really riding challenge. Every one is healthy and looking foward to tomorrows challenge.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Looking for a new ride?
A great friend of H2H and all around awesome person, Kelly Todd, is selling her bike to benefit H2H. If you're looking to find turn those thighs in to Zeus like bolts of lightning, or maybe just want to be a little more environmentally friendly in your transit ways this is the time to buy. There is no better way to get around HCMC then a sharp looking, well oiled martin 107. Buy it while it's hot! If you're interested, contact Kelly via facebook here. Thanks Kelly!
(A) cold in Vietnam
I'm stuck at home with a cold/flu combo these days. I'm sad to say I missed the last two practice rides and my intermittent swimming sessions at the workers cultural palace pool. If this would have happened any other week prior I would be pleased as punch to be stuck at home away from work and all the little kids. It'd mean I'd have time at home to catch up on all my paperwork and such for the ride and law school applications. The thing is, it's all been done--yeah all of it's done. My to do list is remarkably empty. There are just a few more little things to be done for the ride. Law School apps have been sent away. It's hard for me to admit but I am bored. I haven't been bored, let alone had a moment of free time, since this all started in January.
Now why, JP, do we care if you're bored? What's it got to do with H2H and the bike ride? Well, it means the ride is ready. We're really going to to do it. It's happening. All, the money for charities is nearly raised, 13 riders are in shape and ready to roll, all 1,200 miles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City are awaiting us to ride over them to glory.
I am not sure how to describe my feeling at this moment. Instead, I just have to say thank you to all who have donated, all who have lent moral support and most of all, to the crazy fools who agreed to ride the whole way. You all have no idea what you're getting in to. Anyways--Thank you.
Let's stay safe, knock on wood, burn some incense and say a Hail Mary, and appreciate the vastness and complexity of the Universe because it's really happening.
On On,
JP
PS remember you can make a donation here and join our facebook page here.
Now why, JP, do we care if you're bored? What's it got to do with H2H and the bike ride? Well, it means the ride is ready. We're really going to to do it. It's happening. All, the money for charities is nearly raised, 13 riders are in shape and ready to roll, all 1,200 miles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City are awaiting us to ride over them to glory.
I am not sure how to describe my feeling at this moment. Instead, I just have to say thank you to all who have donated, all who have lent moral support and most of all, to the crazy fools who agreed to ride the whole way. You all have no idea what you're getting in to. Anyways--Thank you.
Let's stay safe, knock on wood, burn some incense and say a Hail Mary, and appreciate the vastness and complexity of the Universe because it's really happening.
On On,
JP
PS remember you can make a donation here and join our facebook page here.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Battling the monsoon
Justene and I went up to Dalat for a couple days following a weekend’s work. The bus ride was miserable enough as we made repeated stops to pick up people and the driver listened to some bizarre radio broadcast we conjectured to be a Vietnamese soap opera.
We arrived at the bus station at 2:45 a.m. and took the first room offered to us in a modest hotel above the station. Both already fighting illness and the rough ride, we slept ’til late morning. The sky promised nothing but gray. We managed a 30 kilometer ride, deterred by our colds and the remnants of the nearby typhoon.
A fusillade of wind and rain pummeled our hotel windows throughout the night. The ceaseless barrage seemed to be getting closer. We were convinced World War III had reached Dalat.Nevertheless, we set out for battle against the treacherous weather and hills late morning.Our plan of attack: a 60 kilometer (about 35 miles) ride to Liem Nghia of which the first 30k were almost entirely downhill. So we knew exactly what we had to look forward to coming back. The first 8k were straight downhill. The roads were slick so we were especially cautious. All the braking made my hands cramp up, convincing me of the inevitability of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during the trip.It was quite literally refreshing to breath the highland air, away from the noxious exhaust-filled stank of Saigon. The new, lush and verdant surroundings helped pass the time and provided a welcome break from the roadside monotony of our typical Saigon training ride. We stopped for a couple shots of coffee and tea at a cafe before turning around. Below is the feathered hodgepodge congregating around the cafe. Probably the night’s dinner.
The final 8k ascent was murderous. It started raining harder, the wind was directly in my face and there was no break from climbing. Several times, I had to summon my reserve energy to keep pedaling. It wasn’t enough as I was forced to walk my bike for a couple minutes to give my rubber legs a break. The closest physical comparison I can conjure is hiking Mt. Whitney. Of course, the scale and duration of Whitney was more strenuous, but the short-term intensity of the cycle ascent was more difficult. My knees agreed.Despite the extreme adversity, or because of, I was rather encouraged by the ride. If I can survive 60k, eight of which are straight uphill without rest, in miserable conditions without being too sore the next day, surely I can survive 2,100 kilometers (1,200-plus miles), right??? I’ll find out soon enough. Departure is just three short weeks away.
-Chet
We arrived at the bus station at 2:45 a.m. and took the first room offered to us in a modest hotel above the station. Both already fighting illness and the rough ride, we slept ’til late morning. The sky promised nothing but gray. We managed a 30 kilometer ride, deterred by our colds and the remnants of the nearby typhoon.
A fusillade of wind and rain pummeled our hotel windows throughout the night. The ceaseless barrage seemed to be getting closer. We were convinced World War III had reached Dalat.Nevertheless, we set out for battle against the treacherous weather and hills late morning.Our plan of attack: a 60 kilometer (about 35 miles) ride to Liem Nghia of which the first 30k were almost entirely downhill. So we knew exactly what we had to look forward to coming back. The first 8k were straight downhill. The roads were slick so we were especially cautious. All the braking made my hands cramp up, convincing me of the inevitability of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during the trip.It was quite literally refreshing to breath the highland air, away from the noxious exhaust-filled stank of Saigon. The new, lush and verdant surroundings helped pass the time and provided a welcome break from the roadside monotony of our typical Saigon training ride. We stopped for a couple shots of coffee and tea at a cafe before turning around. Below is the feathered hodgepodge congregating around the cafe. Probably the night’s dinner.
The final 8k ascent was murderous. It started raining harder, the wind was directly in my face and there was no break from climbing. Several times, I had to summon my reserve energy to keep pedaling. It wasn’t enough as I was forced to walk my bike for a couple minutes to give my rubber legs a break. The closest physical comparison I can conjure is hiking Mt. Whitney. Of course, the scale and duration of Whitney was more strenuous, but the short-term intensity of the cycle ascent was more difficult. My knees agreed.Despite the extreme adversity, or because of, I was rather encouraged by the ride. If I can survive 60k, eight of which are straight uphill without rest, in miserable conditions without being too sore the next day, surely I can survive 2,100 kilometers (1,200-plus miles), right??? I’ll find out soon enough. Departure is just three short weeks away.-Chet
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Tour De Saigon
For a few months now we've been sweating it out and back on the 22 kilometers of the Nguyen Van Linh Parkway. However, on Tuesday we took to the street not content with just a pedestrian, Sunday picnic. We took our trusty bikes on an 80 kilometer expedition around the city via Quốc lộ 1A.
To put this in perspective, if you live in the Twin Cities, imagine you rode your bikes around the 494/694 loop, then down 394. For you desensitizes of the nations capital, imagine riding nearly the entire beltway (I-495). For our friends in Schenectady, (GO DUTCHMAN!) imagine riding from Union to RPI and back two and a half times.
To put this in perspective, if you live in the Twin Cities, imagine you rode your bikes around the 494/694 loop, then down 394. For you desensitizes of the nations capital, imagine riding nearly the entire beltway (I-495). For our friends in Schenectady, (GO DUTCHMAN!) imagine riding from Union to RPI and back two and a half times.
As for us H2H riders, we're planning to ride an average of 80 kliks a day!
Thursday, 8 October 2009
The First Practice Semi-Triathlon
Yesterday, equipped with water, a bathing suit, and the ubiquitous spandex, Soph and I headed out on our usual bike route with a stop-off at a swimming pool in An Phu District. It was absolutely picture-perfect weather for a ride/swim - slight breeze, "cool," and a blue sky overhead, dotted with non-threatening marshmallow-white cumulous clouds (somewhat of a rarity during the rainy season here).
The water beckoned once we arrived...although our motivation to swim was slightly impeded by thoughts/comments about food (note to self - scarf down a banana next time). However, once the laps (25 for me, not sure how many for Soph) were completed, I enjoyed my meal of Cantonese fried rice just that much more (especially with the heap of onions piled on top), and happily faffed about in/around/next to the pool for the next hour or so.
On the ride back, we attracted a whole CONVOY of starers (which is saying something after all the stares we usually get...as you may already know from previous blog entries) after one guy set a trend by slowing to our speed, maintaining our speed, and then unabashedly gawking for a good ten seconds. At least five other motorbikes followed suit...which made me worry that something was actually amiss on my person...or that I'd missed my calling in the cirque du freak.
However, we got back in one piece and with sanity intact...and I'm very much looking forward to our next outing tomorrow!
- Hilary
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Less than four weeks!
Wow, less than four weeks to go now! Currently my life is the ride, every waking moment is spent thinking about what i should do, buy, eat, sleep to try to prepare myself for the dreaded mountains
Rob and i are on a different teaching schedule so we have been doing our own rides three times a week, following the same route. I have discovered the joys of night riding, enjoying the quiet roads and cooler temperature.
Last week, as we were cycling along on our brand new racing bikes a Vietnamese boy took us over with a big cheeky grin on his face, that was it- race ON! We continued to play cat and mouse all the way back and i am glad to report that he did have gears on his bike too and WE BEAT HIM! It was great fun and we are now thinking of hiring people to chase along the road as we worked harder that ride than any other!
The rides have not all been fun and games, there has been a lot of wet miserable rainy rides, fly swallowing rides and bumps and bruises rides but i am now used to my bike and feel 100% more confident about the ride than a few weeks ago.
Yesterday Jacinta and I went swimming, why is nothing simple in this country??? After riding around in circles for over an hour we finally found Lam Son pool in Q5, IT WAS CLOSED! The other pool i knew was shut for lunch, so after phoning a friend we found a pool in Q1, bu this time we had been riding for over 2 hours and starving hungry, we manages a leisurely 30 Min's in the pool before heading to Au Park for lunch!
Sophie
Rob and i are on a different teaching schedule so we have been doing our own rides three times a week, following the same route. I have discovered the joys of night riding, enjoying the quiet roads and cooler temperature.
Last week, as we were cycling along on our brand new racing bikes a Vietnamese boy took us over with a big cheeky grin on his face, that was it- race ON! We continued to play cat and mouse all the way back and i am glad to report that he did have gears on his bike too and WE BEAT HIM! It was great fun and we are now thinking of hiring people to chase along the road as we worked harder that ride than any other!
The rides have not all been fun and games, there has been a lot of wet miserable rainy rides, fly swallowing rides and bumps and bruises rides but i am now used to my bike and feel 100% more confident about the ride than a few weeks ago.
Yesterday Jacinta and I went swimming, why is nothing simple in this country??? After riding around in circles for over an hour we finally found Lam Son pool in Q5, IT WAS CLOSED! The other pool i knew was shut for lunch, so after phoning a friend we found a pool in Q1, bu this time we had been riding for over 2 hours and starving hungry, we manages a leisurely 30 Min's in the pool before heading to Au Park for lunch!
Sophie
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