If you know Laos you have a broken heart

Kids out trying to earn a few bob picking up bottles and cans.



Not much in the way of School equipment..



But still they smile.



Great people

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Onwards up the HM trail..





We had off’s, mechanicals, and moments of utter amazement I was really enjoying being up the front and felt a sense of responsibility especially as the Gizmos reputation was at stake and therefore mine and England’s.

Lets go


One of many crossings.


This was a nasty one with lots of big rocks and deep water in parts.








This next one was spectacular, as I went down the ramp I knew it would be a big crossing due to the angle of the slope, when I hit the bottom I couldn't believe my eyes.


270 Meters of bamboo, once the traffic cleared I shot across it and waited for the others.










All across lets go.


As we rode the ramp up into the Village there was a toll, but once inside the village gates it really was a step back in time.



Cold.












After some rocks,mud and jungle.




Look what I found


Then onto the next one, this would be a challenge as the centre of the bridge was missing, the water was to deep so we had to bridge the gap. This guy was on the bridge as we arrived.





We helped him a cross and then tried to work out how we lift them over.





Then a guy turned up from the local village, he said he could fix the bridge and we could cross for a small fee, we agreed and he ran of into the bush and came out with a metal plate, placed it over the hole and across we went, he then removed it.



Then on the way up the ramp we have our first problem.




Team work required, the throttle cable has snapped and he doesn't have a spare , Oh dear


Lucky I have one.


As we fixed the bike Doug had a rest.






An old Russian army Vehicle.






The Group.


This is fun


More water?, down the slope to find out, think we had to pay for this one as well.


The old bridge was gone, perhaps bombed, view from the other side.












And back on the trail.


A couple more hard bits and little chain trouble




We arrived at our destination and it had taken 10-hours to do little over 100k's it had been a brutal day, a few more injury's picked up but we made it what a brilliant day the sense of achievement was brilliant.

Cheers Fellas.

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great blog mate keep it coming!!

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Mr and Mrs Rixxy - London to Australia 2011 - 2012
www.jamesandcat.com

Great report

Just added to my bucket list

Fireball, I have buckets as well as flip flops, large or medium??


Our residents for the night were not much no shower just a big bucket of water and a scoop; think we all passed on that as we did the toilet. We found a little place to eat up the road, Craig broke out his bottle of ouzo and we got a little pissed, Doug was sorting out tomorrows route, I had told them I was heading for Paxse and they decided to head that way to, no need to go alone.





Just a hard bed and a mozzie net.


The next morning we where up before the sun and waiting for the Café to open, it was a beautiful morning so we had a little look about, no rush today which was nice. We where hoping to get to Paxse tonight.





The Moon was still out.


Here she comes.






Village life is under way.


Kids of to School.


We went to have a look at the school, very basic, but lot's of happy children.


Although they seemed a little scared of us and run away

And hid, we can see you.


Or not bothered.


Doug had panned the route, I was already fed up with management style and today I would reach my limit, this is why I travel alone. These sort of ride tests more than your machine. We arrived at the left turn described by the man in the Bar last night (Telecom Tower) my Gps says straight on, we go left and 10k’s later the road splits, left or right? Doug ask’s me what way the Gizmo said, I told him “back to the Tower and turn left”, “going back was not an option” he barked like it was my fault, F**k off was my reply and with that I dropped the bike into gear nodded at the others and f****d of, jeez man don’t talk to me like that.

Back on my own again emotions where high and I was free, no more problems in my life until I started to feel bad about leaving Sam behind, he been trying to stop me as I left the group waving his arms at me, aaahhh shit. I decided to wait at the Tower for 20 mins; if they didn’t show up I would carry on regardless. As I waited I heard the sound of bikes coming up the trail, Doug was first and he made his way over to me and told me that they had voted 3-1 to go with what the gps said, it had not let us down so far.

Turned out to be a little stretch of graded sand then some tarmac, it was a welcome break from the trail.


We ambled along until we hit a town and started looking for somewhere to have lunch, this wasted a lot of time as well.












Tensions where high that day we got about half before we all had enough and decided to park it for the day, later that evening we all hooked up to see what was going on, for me it was easy I was going to Paxse. Sam had reached his limit and wanted to go to Paxse and rest up, Craig wanted to buy a GPs card of my friend Doug and Graham would go to Attapue and then go onto meet the other’s in Kong Island in a few days, no problem, off to bed.

Hope tomorrow is better

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Its nice to hook-up with others occasionally, but I prefer to ride alone

btw the flip-flops arrived, now my girlfriend wants a pair