Warning. This ride has altitude.
Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head…..I thought an early start would be in order to get up the pass before the noon sun. I went to say good luck but Randy & Anita were still not awake. The hills were covered in white clouds. Happily the 10km 500m ASL climb was much easier than I anticipated. Sweating profusely and stopping for water frequently I slowly climbed up into the clouds at the 9km mark. The railway below would be a scenic trip. I paid heed to the traffic signs – Slow.
Very little traffic but lots keen young things on lightweight bikes went past me in both directions, my tool bag no doubt heavier than their whole bike, they did not even carry water.
At the windy cloudy top the VN cyclists were there and bought me a coffee, the damp wind a welcome cooler. Loads of coaches and women posing in front of anything and everything for selfies.
The descent to the unappealing Danang skyscrapers was slightly steeper than my N->S ascent and great fun overtaking motorbikes on the bends, not quite knees-down but fast enough. F=MA I recall meaning fatguts + gear = speed.
I cancelled the Danang Hotel well done booking.com no charge and booked a guest house in Hoi An some 45 km away the route their went past an idyllic wavy sandy beach and many big name resorts. I pulled off the main drag looking for local food and found an 84 year old serving cold meal with fish sauce. Having no sense of smell I said yes to everything she pointed at. Excellent friendly – she even stirred my plateful when she thought I had not completed the task. Ba Moy VND.
I baulked at 15gbp a bottle for the Bourbon Barrel steeped Porter as this was more expensive than in UK
Monumental stone carvings lined the roadside
Nice easy ride until a rough concrete short cut into Hoi An that was easily bypassed to the dismay of ridewithgps. Hoi An old town was teeming with tourists and it was a relief to get to the guest House, I had to wake grandma to get a key etc. Dinner at a craft beer bar was expensive, the salad drowned in weird dressing and minute burger was OK but the beer was good. I’ll eat local in future.