Fuji San

Fuji-san as seen on my cycle around Lake Kawaguchi on Saturday.  A majestic and mystical mountain.

Family cycling

I love the cycling culture of Tokyo.  How relaxed is this young girl reading her book as her father rides through Sakurashinmachi.

U2

My cycle tour on the Shimanmani Kaido started at the Onomichi U2 cycle centre.  A great complex in a restored wharf. It was an open and light-filled space with easy flow between each functional area; the Giant  (bike brand, not a large person) store and cycle hire facility, the souvenir shop, the cafe, the restaurant, the bar, the bakery and then to the hotel, with a cycling inspired modern sculpture in there as well.  An inspiration for the cycle hub at Beechworth Gaol??

Island Villages and Fields

The first two days of my break were spend cycling the Shimanmani Kaido.  It was lovely cycling through small villages and fields of rice and vegetables.  It was almost like Laos - but no dust, mud or corrugations.  Beautiful countryside, with a hint of the autumn colours to come.

Team Dai Challenge - Go Fund Me- Please

Next month I am off an another crazy and challenging adventure - cycling 400km over 4 days.  As usual I will be one of the slowest in the group but I am sure I will make it.  I have been training, but a bout of bronchitis has limited preparation.  

We are running a raffle here in order to raise funds through for the Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS here in  Laos.  A marginalised and needy community here.

Please support the cause and my ride, not by buying a raffle ticket, but making a donation on our Gofund me page.

TEAM DAI GO FUND ME PAGE

Team Dai

I should be heading off on the Team Dai 600km cycling challenge today - or 350 if I was going to stop at the mid point - Phonsovan.  However I decided to "pull the pin". While I had enjoyed the training, I was always last and was never going to be as fit as the lean and fit men or the few fit and strong women in the group.
Looking at the profile of each day I hope most readers will think withdrawing is a final sign of sanity. Thanks to those who donated to Quality of Life to support Team Dai - it is a good cause - they do great work to help those disabled through UXO accidents and traffic accidents.
Instead of cycling for 5 days I am off to relax by the sea on a Thai Island.

The man and his chook - Part 2

The chicken was taken out of its cage for a preen by its owner.  He sat on the ground and cut is claws and put some sort of balm on them.

Team Dai Challenge - Please help

Here is Team Dai at Patuxi monument last year at the end of our team bicycle ride.  I am joining again.  This year the aim so to raise funds for  Quality of Life Association, who support medical, rehabilitation, education and livelihood programs for UXO survivors, people with a disability (PWD), UXO impacted communities and impoverished people in Xieng Khouang Province.

Please  here donate to help the cause.

https://www.gofundme.com/teamdai2017

https://www.facebook.com/QLACenter/

Early morning cyclist

No lycra,  no helmet, the bike is too big, but he at least has thongs on his feet.  He may not be dressed for an early morning ride along Beach Road, but this young lad was out on the road with us last Wednesday morning.

Road Watering - Its everywhere

More road watering.  It does seem to be a female occupation - usually in pairs.

Team Dai - Raising Funds for Vientiane Rescue

https://www.gofundme.com/5vkj779g?utm_medium=wdgt

Me, Leah (South Australia), Tracey (China) and Dirk (Netherlands), the VIS members of Team Dai.

Our jerseys arrived today and we met after school to sell raffle tickets to unsuspecting parents as they passed by with their children.

I am feeling excited and apprehensive at the same time.  It will be an amazing ride - but a challenge.

450km over 4 days!!!!!! Early mornings and long days and its starting to warm up - what have I done!!!

We are raising funds for Vientiane Rescue,the only roadside medical assistance available now in Laos.

In 2015 volunteers rescued approximately 4,000 people. The service relies entirely on volunteers and private  donations. Funds raised by Team Dai will help the volunteer team operate 24/7 on the streets of Vientiane.

Any donations would be welcome and appreciated.

THANKS SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED.

 Here is the GoFundMe  page

https://www.gofundme.com/5vkj779g?utm_medium=wdgt

Cycling past the Friday Flowers

Its been too hot for me to be on the bicycle lately, but that hasn't stopped the locals.  I stopped to take this photo of the colourful trees (Flame Trees and Rachupruek Trees) on the road side and a local "bunch" rode by.  Chiang Mai is the cycling capital of Thailand and bunches are common on the hill, especially in the mornings and late afternoon, when it is marginally cooler.
Unfortunately three local cyclists, out on a group ride on  a major road, were killed earlier in the month by a drunk driver.

When it Rains the Power Goes off.

And that means no air conditioning, no lights, no wifi and no internet.  And that means a hot and boring evening last night and no daily post.

It also meant for a hot and tiring day.  The power did come on intermittently last night, but we had to search for the circuit breaker so it actually went on in the teacher's quarters.
Today I had Chemistry under the shade of tree - acting out physical change and chemical change.  Earth science was in the ping pong area with mineral samples set out on the tables - nothing if not adaptable.

The photo above shows the heavy rain falling yesterday afternoon.  This was as I was riding back up the hill.  I pulled over just prior to the downpour.  Luckily for me the verandah I had chosen to shelter under belonged to Ban Pong massage.  So I had a foot and calf massage for one hour.  By that time the rain had stopped and a rode the remaining hilly 10 kms with relaxed legs.

Back on the bike

Yes, I have bought a bike.  A ladies mountain bike a Trek skye.  It was the quickest cycling decision I have ever made.  I caught a tuk tuk between two stores and within two hours had negotiated a deal, got the bike set up and  was ready to go.  This shop, Jackybike seemed the most professional and although we couldn't communicate beyond hand signals and the odd word they were very nice and looked after me and set me up with lights, rack and paniers. 

There were posters of Lance on the wall - not sure they had caught up on the drug scandal.  My attempt at a conversation about Cadel Evans didn't really work.

I rode back to school (about 25 km), an effort considering I am not bike fit at all- it took 4 hours.  I did take a wrong turn and so wasted about 45 minutes - some of that cooling down in the office of a condominium development and asking the bemused staff if I could please use google maps to find my way.

Half way up the hill I stopped at the Bamboo House for a coke and to wait out a storm for over an hour.  Then a stopped and looked at ants for a while on the steep sections.  Hopefully it won't be such a long trip the next time. 

I am looking forward to exploring the area around school and if necessary using the bike to get in and out of town. As this article describes Chiang Mai offers great cycling.  It is becoming an eastern cycling epicenter.

Coffee and Cycling

Found a cycling cafe today in Chiangmai. Have you ever thought of using a Shimano shoe box as a decorating item?

Two clean bikes hanging inside but none out. No mamils. The only clients were young girls using the free wifi to do some study. One comment was "best cycling cafe in Chiangmai". What is a cycling cafe? Does it need cyclist?

 Nice decor- a photo of a cyclist on the cobbles and a badly framed jersey. Good coffee but no food. Poppy and Daves is still the best.