Bike For Life - Laos - 26 February 2011

[Eddie]

I am posting this message and attachments (in Thai, Lao and English) received from Mr Nathan Cole of TerraClear in Laos:

(I could not attach the fliers here because of thaimtb.com restrictions on file format and size, so please download fliers at the following webpage: http://www.happyfarmers.com/Bike%20for% ... 202011.htm )

Dear Fellow Cyclists,

Thank you for coming for the first ever Bike For Life cycling event!

TerraClear Staff is busy making the preparations needed to make Bike for Life a successful event. I've outlined additional details below.

Right now we have close to 30 confirmed cyclists. Our limit is 50 riders so if you have friends who would like to come, but haven't committed yet, tell them to sign up soon!

Because this is a large interactive event which includes advance clearance for some homestays, we are required to register with the local tourist authority. If possible, please reply with your

Full passport name:
Passport country:

Arrival & Travel to Tha Khek:
If possible please arrive in TKK Friday night or very early Saturday morning.
From Vientiane, board the VIP day bus which leaves the southern bus terminal promptly at 13:00. The cost is 75,000 per person. The bus generally arrives in Tha Kaek at 18:30. The bus station is outside town, but a Tuk Tuk can be had to your hotel for about 50,000 per trip.

IMPORTANT*** For those who want to come, but can't get Friday off from work... Many decent sleeper busses depart from Vientiane at 20:00 until 21:00. The price to Tha Kaek is 100,000 per person. Sleeper busses arrive in Tha Kaek between 12:30 and 1:30 in the morning. A Tuk Tuk can be had to your hotel for 50,000 per trip. (if you are on the taller side, book the back of the sleeper busses, as usually the sleeping mats are a bit longer.)

Arrival & Travel to back home:
TerraClear has arranged to have up to 10 vehicles to take you back to Tha Khek after the ride ends on Sunday Morning (Feb 27). These vehicles are free of charge and will be leaving up until 13:00 on Sunday. A special vehicle will leave at 6:50 am to make it to the bus station before 9:00 am. If you miss this transportation, you will need to find your own way back to Tha Khek.

The trip back to Tha Khek takes approximately 2 hours.

Regular busses pass Tha Khek en route to Vientiane all days at fairly regular intervals. However, the VIP bus leaves about 9:15 am The trip back to Vientiane usually takes between 5.5 to 8 hours.

Lodging For Friday the 25th:
Tha Kaek has several good places to stay with a variety of prices.
Hotel Riveria
Located right on the river, and at the exact place we are starting from. Prices start at $58 per night, and generally considered the nicest place in town.
http://www.hotelriveriathakhek.com/hotel.html , reservations@hotelriveriathakhek.com
Inthira Hotel
Located near the fountain, one block from the river. Prices range from $25-49 USD
http://www.inthirahotels.com/inthirathakhek.html , bookingtk@inthira.com
Mindy Jae Hotel
Located near TerraClear offices, 5-10 min cycle ride from starting place. prices start at 17 $USD. Tel: 051-251-385
Tha Kaek Travel Lodge
Located near TerraClear offices, 5-10 min cycle ride from starting place. Very basic rooms starting around 3 USD for a dormitory, and AC for 110,000 KIP 051-212-931
Mekong Khammouane Hotel
Located on the river, but a little run down. prices start at about 20 USD

Lodging For Saturday the 26th:
TerraClear is covering the cost of lodging on Saturday the 26th. However, the number of guest house rooms available in the village we are staying at is limited .

1. Please reply as to if you have a preference as to a roommate.
2. Please indicate if you do not want a roommate.
3. Please indicate if you are willing to stay with a Lao family for this night.

We will do our best in allocating room space and will be as flexible as possible but cannot provide a guarantee as to the type of room you will be staying in.

Saturday
Everyone meets at the Mekong River Crossing at 5:55AM for a group photo-shoot and to register.

Group start at 6:10AM Saturday Morning - Don't be late!

Dinner will be held starting at 6pm in Lang Kung village. Don't worry, we will keep serving up the goodness until everyone is full.

The Lao-Vietnamese Border
Not everyone will make the border on the first day. This is ok - The final 16 km from the guesthouses to the border typically takes 2-3 hours round trip. It is mostly uphill but a very rewarding section of road. At the border station you may continue on until you reach the monument marking the border. This is a great photo opportunity so don't forget your camera!

Water Stations
TerraClear advance team will have set up drinking stations at 25 villages/points along the way. Please consider stopping momentarily at each of these stations and filling up your water bottle. The main goal of "Bike For Life" is to help villagers understand that their local water sources (wells, streams, city water, etc) can be successfully filtered, saving time and money and increasing health! Your participation in drinking from these filters is critical to the success of this outreach.

Food
TerraClear is catering dinner on Saturday the 26th and Breakfast on Sunday the 27th. As of now dinner should be a good mix of slow roasted pork, several vegetable dishes, dipping sauces & rice. Breakfast will be eggs, french bread, and for those wanting local fare, Pho (noodle soup). Basic drinks (water/soda) will be provided. Other drinks are available from local shops.

Breakfast and lunch on Saturday & lunch Sunday are on your own. A local supplier has pledged to have donuts for sale during registration and photo shoot on Saturday. Small snacks are available all along the route from various villages. noodles and rice based meals are available in the town of Ngomalat about 50 km from the starting place on the way to the border.

What If I can't complete the trip???
We will have a truck designated to pick up those who can't complete the trip for whatever reason. The pick up truck will slowly makes its way to the end stop so that everyone can enjoy the evening meal.

Other Interests
Please feel free to stop at the several caves you find along the way. I'd stay away from the first several you come too because they are out of the way, however, Caves "Xieng Liap' and 'Nang Eng' are just a short jaunt off the main road. Don't stay too long though, as the trip usually requires about 7-8 hours of riding time.

[LonelyDragon]

eddie i believe crossing over from nakhon phanom would make the trip shorter for those travelling from thailand.

[Eddie]

Hi Lonely Dragon,

You are right. There is a ferry boat that can take people and cars across the Mekong river from NP to Thakek. I have made that crossing before (from Laos to Thailand and back), no problem!

Thanks.
Eddie.

eddie i believe crossing over from nakhon phanom would make the trip shorter for those travelling from thailand.

[Punatoo]

thx for trip

300,000 กีบ ^^"

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