The Grim Reaper paid a visit during the night to collect on the excesses of the day before, inflicting severe diarrhoea on myself, severe sun burn on Alex, with Desiree suffering flu-like symptoms. As such, I had to forego breakfast, aside to some Jasmine tea and a witch’s brew of charcoal and electrolyte tablets dissolved in water. Desiree popped enough pills to fill a packet of M&M’s and Alex coated herself in enough after-sun lotion to survive a nuclear holocaust. And so it was with greatly muted enthusiasm that we all mounted our bicycles for the 105km ride to Takeo, departing the hotel at 08:00hrs..
Even at this early hour the sun was intense, with the heat and humidity taking its toll from the outset. Alex was forced to beat a retreat to the sheltered air-conditioned confines of the bus after +/- 15km, with her very puce complexion the result of both sun burn and heat exhaustion. The rest of us managed to struggle on to the first pit stop at 20km for much needed rehydration, shade, further coatings of sun cream and a visit to the Happy Tree. After a generous 15 minute break we continued on our way, stopping again after a further 20km. Along the entire route, Astrid and I stopped at regular intervals to film and capture photographs of the open plains, set against magnificent mountainous backdrops and blue skies filled with large fluffy cumulonimbus clouds. We would then have to cycle hard to catch up with the rest of the group, with Barry helping to pull us along (effortlessly, of course).
And so it continued, with a further break at 60km, before finally stopping for lunch at 12:30hrs, by which time we had completed a total of 75km. By now however most of the team had little appetite for food, with some munching on a few crackers, others some fruit, and myself 2 slices of Rivita, washed down with more charcoal and electrolytes to keep the stomach stable. The highlight was cans of ice-cold Angkor beer, which helped to dull the pain in body parts beyond the reach of any medication.An hour later we embarked on the final 30km stretch to Takeo, with Alex joining us once again. This was actually the hardest stage, with no shade or wind to offer respite from the sun now bearing down on us mercilessly. To make matters worse, the road conditions deteriorated also, with +/- 10km covered by gravel only, with huge dust clouds from oncoming vehicles choking our breathing. After a final pit stop at 95km, we completed the final 10km over bumpy tarmac into Takeo at 15:00hrs, with Alex piping Simon to the post (twice) with everyone rushing into the Hotel reception to enjoy the air conditioning and down a few more beers.
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After an hour spent soaking away aches and pains, removing eye-watering stench and washing of clothes, some of the team sauntered into town for a tour of the local market. Others attended to admin. chores, with the remainder opting for a well earned nap. Simon has also decided to sell his Love Swing, go celibate and donate his Speedos to Orman Street hospital for children under 5 in protest at the news that Labour have secured support from enough independents to form the next Australian government.
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