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Today’s ride on Komoot (I realise the date is wrong)

It was hard to leave the presidential suite at the Nam Long Plus but I had an interesting ride ahead today. Komoot had plotted a route that largely avoided the infamous Highway 1, and after yesterday’s excellent route, what could possibly go wrong ?

I crossed the bridge to the beach and followed a local road through the village but I was immediately off the track. There would be a dozen hotels and resorts in fairly early stages of construction. The streets are built and I sincerely hope that the tourists will come when everything is complete.

I was to follow a numbered road so I had confidence that it was real and not a figment of Google’s imagination. It was real alright, but it was heavily used by trucks and a bit sandy in parts. It was all rideable until it disappeared under water.

It was funny – two guys gave me a thumbs up about heading this way, while there was one guy at the back who shook his head. I went with the majority but won’t trust anyone here again for decent directions !

So, I had to backtrack and my cunning plan of avoiding the busy road was foiled ! I also turned an 80km ride into a 92km ride.

Anyway, it was a Sunday, so the busy road was actually ok. I took the parallel alternate road which was worse than Highway 1. The main road was a separated road and there was very little traffic heading in my direction so it was quite pleasant. Plus I had a tailwind for one section, so I was very happy 😁

Then I left the main road for 10kms of back lanes which was far more fun. That brought me to an area where there were some guesthouses – but I really didn’t like the area. So, I went to another area with a few hotels. Everything is very very quiet here. I know it’s the off season, but still.

After checking in, and rediscovering my schoolboy German skills (the owner can speak German but not English) I went down the road to one of the seafront coffee shops to have a beer or a coffee or something in between and look for dinner. The one that had some people in it was chosen, and I asked the lady what they had. She said coffee. I said – anything else ? She just said – coffee, coffee, only coffee. So I had a coffee.

She also said that next door was a restaurant, so afterwards, I went there for an early dinner.

The place is barely open. There were a couple of generations sitting around the tables and I was offered packet noodles with egg and garlic as I didn’t want the prawns. I suspect they’ve not had much business recently.

I’ve debated whether or not to publish this next bit, but I think it’s best to be up front. To be brutally honest, after a week here, I’m yet to warm to the people of this country. I’m not sure what it is but I’ve been yelled at, shown the middle finger, told the restaurant was shut even as people were walking in, laughed at and ignored due to the language barrier. The worst is when guys are with their girlfriends they’ll shout at me and laugh in my face. It happens in towns and even while riding today. I’m sick of it. (Notice that I’m not complaining about the drivers).

I accept that there is likely an element of misinterpretation on my part, so I’ll keep an open mind. I also realise that there are many many happy, helpful, friendly people here – the vast, vast majority.

However, if things don’t improve this week, I’ll just leave and take my tourist dollars elsewhere. I’ll say no more about this for at least a week.