Last day of the ride! Doesn't feel like it. It still feels like we set off from Hanoi 2 days ago. We went through the usual motions, stretching, getting some Banh Mi, filling up water bottles, pumping air, loading luggage into the DHL vans, checking out of the hotel, hunting for lost gloves, and slathering on sunscreen.
The road was dusty and busy, we were within city limits. Moe nearly turned off the road and cycled all the way home to Bien Hoa.
I got a flat which was fixed in about 3 seconds with the help of Thu, our ever-smiling mechanic. Linh got a little knee scrape.
We got to Saigon's trafficky outskirts and had our first (and last) rest stop of the day's ride. Linh and I got there later than usual so the others went up ahead and we sipped on some ice-cold nuoc mia (sugarcane juice, aka the elixir of life). We talked about how surreal it felt to be back in Saigon and wondered how we were going to go back to 'regular life'. It was extremely strange to cycle past my apartment building, I flew out of HCMC 28 days ago and now I had cycled back home. It boggles the mind.
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| Thu, Sabrina, and Mr. Cuong |
We got to Saigon's trafficky outskirts and had our first (and last) rest stop of the day's ride. Linh and I got there later than usual so the others went up ahead and we sipped on some ice-cold nuoc mia (sugarcane juice, aka the elixir of life). We talked about how surreal it felt to be back in Saigon and wondered how we were going to go back to 'regular life'. It was extremely strange to cycle past my apartment building, I flew out of HCMC 28 days ago and now I had cycled back home. It boggles the mind.
We lunched at Boathouse in District 2, everyone admitted to feeling strange. We reconvened at the zoo and after we took a million selfies we were 'go' for the finish line. We sang to The Final Countdown and the timeless sax from Careless Whisper - ride staples. Hugs and celebratory beers from our sponsors. Linh's parents gave us all gifts commemorating our ride in an incredibly thoughtful gesture. Ian Gibbons, British Consul to Vietnam and Chris Rolls, H2H Manager gave rousing speeches about the ride, the charities, and our sponsors. Our sponsors, without whom this ride would be impossible. The charities, the reason why we ride. The team, who make this ride a pleasure. I think I speak for our team when I say we're all grateful for this experience. Anyway, time to go celebrate in style at Heart of Darkness! H2H 2018, out.
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| Our welcome party |
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| Go team! |
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| Group hug!! |
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| Team H2H 2018 |
Read about the ride at http://www.h2h.team
Watch some excellent footage from our ride here, recorded and edited by Isaac Clarke, GoPro genius and lover of toast.
Watch some excellent footage from our ride here, recorded and edited by Isaac Clarke, GoPro genius and lover of toast.
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