Mekong ride account (13th to 21st July)

Mekong riders!

The riders:

Bro Alvin Lee (Lead, Navigator, Tour guide on a BF Expedition)

Celia Tan (Joined us at Pukhet leg , BF Tikit)
Rod Withers ( Ex- Postman - KHS Capuccino) 

Ken (Showing age doesn’t matter, rides a Ventura)

Kenneth Cheok (Super newbie on a Ventura)

 Micheal Kwah (Finance minister, PR and Medical, rides a Dahon) P21
Joshua Hii (Medical Support, Dahon Mu)

Chrisopthe (German BMW on a 3 speed Dahon Curve)

Taiwoon (Photography on a Brompton)

Ground support  on a MPV  - the super duper Angkana,  Aunty and little millie

Angkana and Mum preparing coconuts for the tired riders!!! So nice of them!

Millie, our ride Angel!

The Route (see map) Singapore>>Bangkok>>Udon Thani>>Nong Khai (Start Point)

Nong Khai>> Sang Kom>> Pahchom>> Chiang Khan (following the Mekong river) 

Udon Thani>>Phuket(R&R)>>Singapore

Follow the river... 

L-R Bro AL, Mike, Rod, Joshua, Ken and Kenneth 

This is papa mike carry on luggage 

Planning for the trip

It is not easy to plan this trip with many connecting flights. Kudos to Bro Al, Angkana and Chris Wee for efforts to make this trip possible.  The planning began around early Jan and by Feb. The riders list was firmed up so that flight tickets could be bought. It was kept deliberately small as no one knew if the arrangement could pan out and there was always a risk of changes from Day 1. It was a very much hit or miss(ride a long long way) thingy…. The group was made up of people of diverse background. From a Pastor, Doctors, Maths tutor with a PHD, Designer, 2 retired “young man” and a Marketing folk. All coming together because we all love to ride. It didn’t matter which brand of bikes, be it Dahon, Brompton, Bike Friday and Ventura… .we all rolled as a team. Actually we even swapped room mates every day... haha.. that was cool!

We were all so excited... reach hotel and started to assemble bike. The dim romantic lighting did not help... hence shaky picture... 

Awesome view from Sofagallery @ nong khai

Colors musical from the Mekong river.... beautiful and free!

Packing for the flight... 
Flying by Budget airlines means that luggage have to be kept at a min. Top scorer for this was Rod’s ride(prepared by none other then Chris Wee) – KHS Cappacucino. Only 17.5 kilos! Chris used a Ikea Dimpa bag, lined with carboard.  He even included instructions to pack the bike and plenty of foam and zip ties. It was really impressive and I could see his wealth of knowledge in how he packed the bag.  For those who want an easier way to travel with a folding bike. U can chose the Bike Friday Expedition or Brompton.  Bro Al used the Bike Friday expedition which “folds” neatly into a 29” samsonite case. It takes an experienced hand to fit up the bike but once it is setup… the ride was super! For the Dahons, Mike and Joshua had to take out the wheels, racks and they all fitted into a 29’ luggage. Most impressive, the soft luggage cost under 50 bucks… and they can be found…where else…Mustafa! For my Brompton, I used a lime Green Lojel.  This is where the brompton really shines. To fit it all in, I have to remove the seat, seat post and right side roller wheels – 5 min job. A note  for those who plan on taking foldies on their holidays. Please remember to bring spare tubes, patch kit, multi tool and hand pump. Tyres should be deflated for the flight. To prevent ur be-loved bikes from being scratched. Try to wrap foam/rags on the frames and places where u think would have some movement. The best packing is to zip tie most parts so u can't feel any rattling.

Me and Brompton manning the rear... 

The ride

From Nong Khai, the ride was lovely. Passing small towns and villages. Food and water stop were plenty so no worries on getting hungry or thirsty.  The thing on touring is that u got to be prepared for the bad weather. Day 2, it rained non stop… for the folks with mudguards, it was ok. But for Kenneth who did not have fenders. His tee shirt got a permanet mud decorative strip. Also with the constant splashing of mud, sand and water on the Rear D… made the equipement lock up and fail. Even with my Finishline Telfon lube(yes, I brought it along..) failed to revive it… it was just too stuck. Also please leave ur racing tyres and opt for big fat tyres. I assure you that your bums will thank you. If u have those touring tyres which are supposedly puncture proof even better. Many people think Brompton cannot do touring.. but actually any bike also can, reallyt. Just need to be gentle when u have rough terrain and it should be fine. Dun just ram across the terrain… look for the smoothest path and it will be ok. I am glad to report my Brompton M worked beautifully on the ride. Even after a full day in the rain… it had some strange creaking sound on the front crank but still can ride.  For more details of the actual ride account, pls see Bro Al version.

Advance Field medical treatment

Accident...
Some where along the way, down an ordinary slope… we had our first major accident. I was riding just about 3 lengths in front of Joshua where I suddenly heard a terrifying noise. I quickly stopped and turned around, Joshua was just slowed down dragging his face on the road… the bike was lying sideways. It was damm scary… quickly rushed to his help. Luckily traffic was light and he could still stand, shaky from the impact. Moved him to a safe spot where Papa mike could look at him closely and treat him. His helmet was cracked and he suffered quite a bit of road rash all over his body. I gave him a wash down with my Camebak to get rid of all the dirt. By the way Joshua trembled and shivered… I think it was extremely painful.  Mike dressed his wounds and we figured that it was a no go to ride for Joshua. A tuk tuk came along and tried to take advantage of the situation. And again luck would have it, a kind hearted village drove along and saw our poor friend plight. Without any spoken words, he just gestured us to bring him up the lorry and drove Mike and Joshua to the nearest hospital. Such kindness in a time of need! Thanks you sir!

This helmet saved Joshua.... I think that's all there is to say. fullstop.

Team mekong lugging the bike up the lorry

As we rolled along and sweated in the heat, I took plenty of photos to document the ride. There are no shopping nor fancy cafes. Just small ordinary villages, huts padi fields and lots of greenry. We got to experience Thailand people legendary hospitality. They have a ready smiles and were very genuine. Food was great… simple food but sooooo good! I think riding is really the best way to see a country. The speed is not fast and u can really see and feel the terrain changing.  I think I will be doing this yet again…. Thailand? Laos? Malaysia? Cambodia? Oh shucks.. I want to see them all!

Oh ....Lastly I also learned that age doesnt matter. Heart does! Thanks Sir Ken and Rod for inspiring me! I love to ride with u folks someday!  Photos of the lovely adventure here 

Butterflies in my belly... Mekong in 5 Days...

Going for my 2nd long distance touring with some friends in 5 days!  Yeahh! All this made possible by the tireless efforts of Bro Al (The love the fold guy) . Thank you Sir! The route is mentioned also in his blog.  This time, I will be using my Brompton M 6 speed. Why not the flamingo which I am totally comfortable and confident with. Well, it is a combination of "backside" itchy, ease of travel and wanting to try out another option to ride. I was told that the route is flattish and the gearing is enough... I pray that this will not be another "relaxing Kluang trip"....   I am going "blind" again... refuse to read about the location, distances and blog so that I will not be "tainted and influenced".   Here is a great drawing I found in the internet(forgot from whom, pls let me know) which is my approach to going for the ride.  Tick tick tick.. the clock is moving... got to pack.. 

illustration credit - someone on the internet... pls let me know if u are the painter..    

Brompton M touchpoints improvements

This is for a friend(Adriane lee) who has a Brompton M....but I thought I share it with you too. Going for a long long ride means that ur palms, bum will be tired. I consulted Russ of Pathlesspedaled and followed his setup. I changed out the following....

Ergon GC2 on my brommie

white markings to help u gauge the angle that best fits u

1) Handle bar grip - Change to Ergon GC2 grips. The design of the grips is ergo styled which has a wider plattform to rest the palms. Also comes with bar ends to have alternative gripping position. This is good for hill climbs. To fit Brompton M, u got to loosen the shifters and brake levers and move inward the bar. Once u do that, u can fold with no problem. To be even more comfortable, I wear gloves all the time when I ride...cuz u never know when u fall.

Shimano R770 levers

Done!

2)Shimano R770  Flat bar brake levers - It has a return spring buildin with a sculpted shaped levers, which makes braking easier. Cheap and easy mod. Get it at Rodalink.
3) Brooks seat -  For my butt, I swear by brooks.. choose B17 for general purpose.
PLS NOTE, IT TAKES TIME FOR THE SEAT TO FORM TO UR BUM. So don't fit a new brooks seat for the long journey... ur ass will break.. confirm and chop!
For my brompton, I choose the Flyer model with spring... it cuts away the road vibration...


4) Marathon tyres - I don't like changing tyres.. esp on a hot dust road. So I fit my brompton with Swalbe Marathon tyres. Abit draggy but good on broken road and is more puncture proof. I rather be slow and steady. and not need to change tyres :)