The DTCC cycling team participating in week 3 of this year’s charity bicycle ride Tour de Thailand arrived as planned in Chumporn in the afternoon of Saturday 11 December, having completed the abt. 550 km ride from Kanchanaburi.
The team started the Tour in the morning of Sunday 5 December heading for Dan Makham Tia and then southeast to Ratchaburi. The day’s ride was 120 km.
Monday’s stage was only 66 km, the first 32 km via Wat Phleng to Pak Tho again on scenic side roads, but with the rest of the distance to Phetchaburi on the busy HW 4.
Tuesday morning the Tour continued along the beach road to Cha-Am an on to Hua Hin. The team arrived at the Admirals Restaurant in Hua Hin Tuesday afternoon after having completed the first 250 km ride in time to enjoy a splendid Danish Buffet Lunch sponsored by Admiral’s Pub.
The team was still intact, even though Bent Laasholt had to buy his bicycle back from an ice cream vendor to whom Henrik Friis sold the bike at a pit stop North of Petchaburi.
Mariott Hotel had sponsored two nights stay for the group so we took Wednesday off in Hua Hin.
Thursday morning the Tour proceeded along HW4 on the 91 km stage to Prachuab Khiri Khan. A very good tail wind helped complete this stage in record time.
Friday morning we decided to take a small detour along the beach road and through the military base, before we headed back to HW 4. Then onwards to Bang Saphan for 20 km on side roads. The days ride was 104 km.
The Saturday stage to Chumporn was the most challenging, along scenic roads with many hills and a total distance of 97 km. Not challenging enough for the tour guide, though, who made a wrong turn, which took the entire group, except Bent and Hans Henrik, on another 10 km detour.
The DTCC team completed the Tour without incidents and everybody had enjoyed the challenge tremendously. Excellent spirit and fellowship as we rode along, and we are keen on continuing our cycling activity under the DTCC umbrella. We thank our sponsors for their support: EAC, DISA, Admirals Pub, Khao Yai Farmhouse and, not the least, SAS for sponsoring our support vehicle, which was invaluable in facilitating transport of luggage, provisions, bikes and riders, who needed a rest along the way.
PS
Those who did not return to Bangkok by train missed a dramatic climax to the Tour. While boarding the train in Chumporn Hans Henrik fell and broke his arm and elbow. Onboard the train a medic from a company of soldiers on the same train helped make a split, out of newspapers, a pillowcase an some string, which helped HH during the 10 hours train ride to Bangkok. HH went straight to BNH, where he had surgery and his arm is now in a cast.
DTCC team – Tour the Thailand
Members of the DTTC had established a team of 6 Danish riders, who represented the Chamber in the charity bicycle ride Tour de Thailand on the leg from Kanchanaburi to Chumporn from December 5 to 11. The riders were Bent Laasholdt, Henrik Friis, Morten Luxhoei, Mads Tranum Nielsen, and Hans Henrik Melchior. Apart from the riders themselves following corporate sponsors supported the team: SAS, Kuoni, Admiral Pub, Khao Yai Farmhouse, DISA and EAC.
