Kilometers Traveled : 80
I wrote this on my little notebook before we left Da Gan :
I am a bit afraid today. I'm hoping my legs don't give way.
We started the day with coffee and bread. We bought a box of Chocopie for on-the-road sustenance. And off we went.
The game plan was to bike 30 km to Nghia Lo, have lunch and then proceed to bike 50 km to Tú Lệ.
The game plan was to bike 30 km to Nghia Lo, have lunch and then proceed to bike 50 km to Tú Lệ.
The first 30 km was very manageable. I was in high spirits and did not feel tired at all when we arrived in Nghia Lo. We had a nice lunch of fish, tofu, chicken and vegetables. The fish was fresh - it had been caught minutes before it was cooked and served to us!
Coffee was served in the cafe next door, where G-third and Levi consulted with some locals on the route to our next town destination. And so we pedaled on.
I was fine for the first 30 kilometers of this leg. But when the terrain started to roll up and down and up and down and up and up again and again, I started to feel pain everywhere - my thighs protested from the non-stop pedaling through long ascents, my neck and lower back felt strained, and that area of my rump that was in touch with the saddle was starting to feel uncomfortably sore. I started to lose steam and strength. And then I started to cry.
At this point, G-third had pedaled further and further away and I was feeling very alone. I felt ashamed at my weakness, but I needed a way to release my frustration. I must've been a sorry sight, sobbing and sniffling like a lost child, occasionally wiping my gloved hand across my face. Despite my misery, I pedaled on. I just wanted it to be over.
G-third had stopped at the foot of another heartbreaking ascent. He, of course, knew that I needed the break before we covered the final stretch. Extremely relieved, I stopped my bike right behind his and flopped off my bike. I walked over to G-third with jelly legs and confessed that I had cried. He pulled me close to him, gave me a kiss and a hug. He offered to carry my handlebar pack to ease my load. Yes please! Thank you!
We had about 15 kilometers more to go. Oh dear God, give me strength, I prayed as I wolfed down a piece of Chocopie.
I was still feeling quite fatigued as we resumed pedaling but the few minutes of rest and the decreased load off my bike helped ease the ride a great deal.
It was around the 10 kilometer mark when the road started to descend and it eased the pain in my spirit quite a bit! It was also starting to get dark so we tried to go as fast as we possibly can. At the 6 kilometer marker, I suddenly felt a rush of energy - must've been the Chocopie kicking in!
Nighttime had descended as we pedaled into the town proper. Hunger, giddiness, relief - I was a ball of emotions.
My heart swelled at the the sight of Levi's bike propped on a wall by the street - its rear light blinking red - the color of sweet, glorious victory.
The tears had dried. I was smiling from ear to ear.
Next : Day 6 Tú Lệ - Mu Cang Chai
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