Surprising that we found an empty stretch of beach (and a young couple to take our picture) after finishing the Andaman Sea Valentine’s Day ride from Trang to
PakMeng. The organized ride for 400+ riders (only 75 or so couples) left Trang en mass (after the requisite speeches and group photos) escorted by highway patrol sirens, an advertising sound truck and flanked by 40 cycling marshals wearing highway safety vests.

A number of couples were on tandems, several had stems of rose buds festooned on their helmets or jerseys and all were in a jolly mood.  PakMeng is the closest beach area only 40 km (24 miles) from Trang and to Stanna’s good fortune only has a few hills and a couple of rollers along the way.  Since we live 7 km out of town it

DCIM100GOPRO

makes for  a 90-km ride there and back.

We saw a number of husbands lending a hand on the uphills, but Stanna managed every hill on her own.  Many of the riders had pickups meeting them after the ceremonies and lunch, so most riders didn’t ride back on their own.

Lunch was provided, but we enjoyed the well-deserved Magnum ice cream snacks while waiting for the remaining field of riders to finish.

And as you’re aware by now, there’s lots of ceremony in Thailand.  This ride was not to be outdone, as we all received inscribed trophies commemorating the event presented by the provincial governor and his wife (to every single rider), not to mention the pink cycling jerseys.  We were called back onto the stage and given the honor of presenting the trophies to the Governor and his wife for their riding participation.