Ruth: The challenges and rewards of cycling in Laos are amazing. We have cycled two days in a row with a total climbing of at least 800 meters each day. This morning we spent three hours climbing up to 1043 meters averaging only 7 kms/hour. The reward, however, was the time we spent traversing a ridge dotted with tiny hamlets with split bamboo houses before we plummeted back down to our destination of Vieng Phoukha.
WOW! What a ride you are having! And huge elevation changes too! I feel privileged to follow along with you on this adventure.