May 12. 47 miles.
Started to head more inland to get to the Ho Chi Minh Road witch meant lots more hills. Climbed all day in 39°. I wanted to ride twice as far as I actually managed but photos, stopping to drink and a swim in the river with locals slowed the progress.
I stopped on the bank of a fast flowing river and just jumped in wearing all my cycling clothing including shoes with a couple of locals who insisted they showed me where to swim.
Towards the end of the last climb that day it began to rain, it was quite pleasant after cycling in the heat for most of the day it cooled to about 22°C. Eventually hit the Ho Chi Minh Road. A few kilometres along this road I found a hotel and that was me for the night.
May 13th. 66 miles.
Woke to torrential rain it rained all day and was cooler and clearer so I decided to push harder was happy with 18mph average for the first hour!
All the streams and waterfalls filled and we’re now pouring off the mountain. The scenery was breathtaking some of the best so far. ( little did I know the next few days would get even better )!
Giant Centipede. He was dead. These guys bite you and you are in a world of pain that can last days!
A great decision to head away from the coast and into the hills. There were not many villages and if there were any there were very small. Didn’t see hardly any traffic all day. Had a good day and enjoy the rain. Felt strong but the last climb up to KHE Sanh was hard after a big day. Booked into a hotel for 150,000 VMD, about £5. Went for food and met two Australians and American plus a local guy called Hai. We arrange to go to Hamburger hill. ( I guess you must of heard about it. A Hill of no real strategic benefits where about 70 Americans and about 300 Vietnamese died. It caused some serious questions as to why). It turned out it wasn’t actually ‘the’ hill. It was a graveyard in remembrance. The actual Hamburger Hill was south of us. I had ridden passed it on the way here ????. We also took a look round KHE Sanh airfield also use in the war.
KHE Sanh was involved in most of the biggest battles of the American war. It is situated very close to the border of North Vietnam so lots of heavy fighting.
The next day of riding for me is a 250km stretch to the next village through the national forest. looks quite amazing also looks like I may be camping in the forest as there is nowhere I can find to stay so I’m just off to buy some supplies.
Later.