Final Day
Mixed emotions today as we set off for our last and final cycle day for the challenge. This morning we are heading for Banteay Srei. Also known as the “woman temple” because it is so beautiful and intricate it must be the work of a woman!…of course! The 35km cycle out was incredibly picturesque. Tree lined streets, small villages selling their handicrafts, woven goods and palm sugar. The cycle was so lovely, the distance just flew by. When we got to Banteay Srei the temple was jammed packed and about 10 degrees hotter! Before heading back on the bikes, we had time to squeeze in another watermelon party, the best watermelons in the world!! We headed off in a different direction towards the Roluos Group, pre-Angkor period temples. And, if anyone thought that they were going finish without one last tough cycle then they were in for a rude shock! The next 34km were pure hell, and I’m not exaggerating. It was midday, on a completely sealed road, 38 degrees Celsius, not a tree in sight and the road ahead had turned into a complete mirage, no end in sight. We stopped half way for a break and to re-fuel, but as soon as we got back on the bike it felt like we had been riding for ever….the sun was relentless. I can honestly say; each and every person felt each rotation of that peddle and with each rotation of that peddle, we knew that we were getting closer to our destination; lunch! We arrived about 2 and all collapsed at the table in one sweaty, red heap. Us girls, we have stamina and after lunch, we hopped back on our bikes and headed towards the temple. The 65 stairs that greeted us when we arrived did not look all that inviting, however, we climbed up and over them, not wanting to miss out on an inch of the incredible history of this Kingdom. The last 18km seemed to fly by – it must have been because it was the home stretch. As we approached Siem Reap, the traffic thickened and peak hour Khmer style threw one last curve ball our way. However, it was sheer delight, as we cycled into the driveway of our hotel, the congratulations banner held high in the air for us to cycle under as we crossed the finish line as a team. Such as amazing accomplishment! CONGRATULATIONS CARE CYCLE CHALLENGE 2010 374KM COMPLETED OVER 9 CYCLE DAYS EACH PERSON IS POWERFUL AND REMARKABLE WE ARE DETERMINED AND WE ARE SUCCESSFUL!
Mixed emotions today as we set off for our last and final cycle day for the challenge. This morning we are heading for Banteay Srei. Also known as the “woman temple” because it is so beautiful and intricate it must be the work of a woman!…of course! The 35km cycle out was incredibly picturesque. Tree lined streets, small villages selling their handicrafts, woven goods and palm sugar. The cycle was so lovely, the distance just flew by. When we got to Banteay Srei the temple was jammed packed and about 10 degrees hotter! Before heading back on the bikes, we had time to squeeze in another watermelon party, the best watermelons in the world!! We headed off in a different direction towards the Roluos Group, pre-Angkor period temples. And, if anyone thought that they were going finish without one last tough cycle then they were in for a rude shock! The next 34km were pure hell, and I’m not exaggerating. It was midday, on a completely sealed road, 38 degrees Celsius, not a tree in sight and the road ahead had turned into a complete mirage, no end in sight. We stopped half way for a break and to re-fuel, but as soon as we got back on the bike it felt like we had been riding for ever….the sun was relentless. I can honestly say; each and every person felt each rotation of that peddle and with each rotation of that peddle, we knew that we were getting closer to our destination; lunch! We arrived about 2 and all collapsed at the table in one sweaty, red heap. Us girls, we have stamina and after lunch, we hopped back on our bikes and headed towards the temple. The 65 stairs that greeted us when we arrived did not look all that inviting, however, we climbed up and over them, not wanting to miss out on an inch of the incredible history of this Kingdom. The last 18km seemed to fly by – it must have been because it was the home stretch. As we approached Siem Reap, the traffic thickened and peak hour Khmer style threw one last curve ball our way. However, it was sheer delight, as we cycled into the driveway of our hotel, the congratulations banner held high in the air for us to cycle under as we crossed the finish line as a team. Such as amazing accomplishment! CONGRATULATIONS CARE CYCLE CHALLENGE 2010 374KM COMPLETED OVER 9 CYCLE DAYS EACH PERSON IS POWERFUL AND REMARKABLE WE ARE DETERMINED AND WE ARE SUCCESSFUL!
