The Wobblin' Sprocket

Joan Oppel wrote this piece which appears in the March, 2010 issue of The Pedal Patter, the monthly newsletter of the Potomac Pedaler Touring Club.  Joan was on Tour d’ Indochine a year ago.

The article had no pics so I’m taking the liberty to add a few from the trip.

Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

***

The guy who owned this water buffalo could not believe that it would let Joan hop on its back (apparently they can smell people and don't like it). I couldn't believe that Joan even tried it.

Joan on her way to Tram Ton Pass outside Sapa

Joan with Hmong girl in Kiu Kacham

***

Joan outside school getting ready to distribute books from Big Brother Mouse

L- Riding pal, Wayne R- Joan

***

The whole group at Tay Tran border crossing from Vietnam to Laos. L to R: Clive, Jose, Shawn, Wilma, Me- Bob, Joan, Richie, Wayne, Mark, Graeme and Dan.

A big thanks to Joan for sharing the experience!

Best,

Bob

Having just returned from Laos, it was obvious that all water levels are low.  The Nam Song we kayak on was low;  Lake Nam Ngum, which is a big body of water, was low and the Nam Lik outside of Vangvieng was unboatable.

Now there are reports that the might Mekong, is at 20 year lows, and apparently no longer navigable.

Although tourist inconvenience is the the least of the problems  caused by low water conditions, anyone looking to travel between Chaing Khong, Pak Beng and Luang Prabang should be consulting the internet and reports of whether boats are making it.  At a minimum, be prepared to spend an overnight on a beach somewhere in case the boat gets grounded or can’t make it.

It was only a year ago that the Mekong was over its banks.   Currently there are massive works in Vientiane to build a containing breakwater.   Things can change fast on the river.

There are always reports that China’s mgmt of the river upstream is to blame, but it seems the current condition is simply lack of rain.  It rained only once (overnight in Muong Khua) on our recent two weeks in Laos.

Boat services suspended as level of Mekong plunges.

The participants in this year’s Tour d’ Indochine:

Barb M. from Wash DC

***

L to R: Gwyn (from Ottawa Canada), Federica (from Italy) and Paolo (from Italy)

***

Doug M from Canon City CO

***

L- Maryvonne M (Canon City CO); R- Mr. Ken (Odomxai, Laos)

***

Graeme (Austrailia)

***

L - Chantal B (Arlngton,VA) R-Bob Bloomfield (MD)

***

Jim W (VA) on his Bike Friday

***

Elaine W (VA)

***

L - Jeff T R- Jenny W (from Jersey City, NJ)

***

Robin M (Arlington VA)

***

Mr. Daolit

***

Mr Thune (Odomxai, Laos

***

L to R: Fede, Robin and the fabulous MS MAY!!!!

***

Me....Bob

Thanks again to each of you who made it a fun tour.  It’s never really been about the biking (of which there is alsays  plenty).,.  It’s all about the people.

Chantal and I head home from BKK tomorrow.  So does Graeme, who is in BKK also.

Best,

Bob