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Sunday, 13 October 2013

07/10/2013 - Cycling SE Asia. Day 1


Distance cycled: 99.3 km from Bangkok, Khoa San Road to Ratchaburi
Average speed: 24.9km/h
Moving time: 4h00min
Total distance: 99km
Border X'ings: 0
Money spent: 740 Baht ($20)


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I don't know why I thought that Thailand would have ideal weather for cycling; it's hot, humid and most afternoons (around the time i start looking for a decent place to camp) the heavens open their flood gates and attempt to drown out people in the real world.
Thailand is cheap, really really cheap however I am trying not to spend so much money as I had spent far too much in Europe for no good reason at all (refer to a few posts back). Today I spent quite a lot but mostly for spare parts for my bike and a hotel room for the night, I got a great deal on a spare inner tube and some sports tape to wrap around the handlebars, the locals at this bike shop were more than willing to help and find out about my touring around the world and like most people, they were impressed.
Today felt a bit strange as normally when I begin these bike trips I have a sense of being daunted even frightened especially when I start off in a big city but today in central Bangkok I simply navigated the streets west out of the city without anything bothering me; the traffic was intense on the 'A' road but I kept my cool, well as cool as i could be as I dripped more sweat into my shirt - maybe this is a sign that I am content and happy to return to my real passion of cycling around the world.
the town of Ratchaburi was nothing special, it seemed like no tourist ever venture into this part of the country as no one could speak English and I drew everyone's attention when I entered the local food market down the road from the hotel room. The food was so-so but apparently I'll be soon overwhelming my taste buds with a plethora of various seafoods on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
I am absolutely exhausted from cycling as much as I did today but tomorrow will be longer as I want to get as close to Hua hin as possible because my Uncle lives nearby.
Day 1, done and dusted, many more to go.

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Setting off from Bangkok!

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