The Phuket training camp started on Saturday 12th with a light ride over to Patong for me and Danny did some loops of the Kata-Karon loop.
On Sunday we took off for Suring beach via Patong and Kamala. The hills to Patong were sharp reminder of what was to follow. The Kamala hill climb proved too much for an uninterrupted ascent and apit stop at the small Gasoline humpy was made and use of their table and chairs for some water and recovery.
Next section of the ride was the downhill into Kamala and the suberbly picturesque ride around the coast to Surin beach. Another pit stop for morning tea at the Surin Cafe, who are well used to sweaty riders coming in for R+R.
We decied to continue to Laguna Beach and tackle the fist 10 km or so of the Laguna Triathlon bike course. The hills were killers and the initial three step rise out of Laguna was tough. But nothing was so tough as the short ride up the long climb out of Anderman white sands and the subsequent long hill.
We then took a ride through some rubber plantations and be lined it back to Kata beach by riding down through the middle of the island.
We met a group of riders and followed them for 15-20km before losing them at the lights and making a final quick stop at a seven eleven for gatorade and carbohydrate.
All energy was spent and needed a good late lunch at club med to feel human again.
Total ride approx 100km
Elapsed time was almost 5 hours
