Yesterday was day 3 of the GBA (Great Bicycle Adventure) December 21
Dirt road near Pakxan
I probably rode at least 30 km, maybe more, probably 40-50, but ended up making no real headway south. I only stayed 2km further down Rt.13 than the night before, still in Pakxan. That brings the total Rt. 13 kilometers to 150km, truck kilometers to 35km, and ridden kilometers to about 150km. I’m pretty sore this morning, and my knees are complaining, so I’m thinking about having a rest day and bussing/trucking to Thakhek or so.
Yesterday was a day of technological disasters and cultural wonders. I had heaps of pannier rubbing problems [Added later: My panniers are jerry-rigged from two smallish granny bags (those squarish bags made out of tarp material with two handles and a zipper)], and I nearly bent my seat post in two. And then to finish it all off, I got a flat tire in town as it was getting dark.
Which ended up being a blessing in disguise, as the mechanic I took the tire to to get fixed, also turned out to be a genius with metal, and did a wonderful job realizing my seat post lengthening/strengthening ideas. Now it’s heaps high and heaps strong. Plus I got a new spare tube that my pump fits, plus one of the boys at the shop helped me jerry rig my rear fender higher so it doesn’t interfere with the rear brake. And all for 10,000 kip (about US$1). A bargin, to the point i felt like i should have given the guy more.
A village store
I spent the day riding along dirt roads through small villages and rice paddies, at first in search of a cave sign posted off Rt. 13, and then in search of an alternate way back to Rt. 13. At one point, the crude tractor path I was following ended in a river. A big one. Never completely trust directions advice when there’s a big language barrier and you have bad maps.
School children
At one point I stopped to fix my seat near a school, and about 50 kids came running up to loot at me and my bike. I took some pictures and played some frisbee with them. They were really good at the frisbee, though I don’t think they’d seen one before. It was good fun, and a good ice breaker.
I find it a bit strange how much people, particularlly kids, laugh when they talk to me, particularlly if their english isn’t good. And it’s not jsut giggling, it’s full on belly laughs. I know it’s all in good fun and because they’re happy, but it’s still weird.