Here Be Elephants

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2010.11.07
Cities: Mohan to Luang Namtha
Distance: 36.9 miles
Total Ascent: 800 feet
Avg Speed: 8.5 MPH

Pretty easy ride from the China border to Luang Namtha. The roads are all clearly marked with distances and directions so it’s easy to find. Quality is great, traffic is light, no serious ascents.

2010.11.10
Cities: Luang Namtha to Vieng Phouka
Distance: 37.7 miles
Total Ascent: 1900 feet
Avg Speed: 9.3 MPH

Another decent day of quality roads and even lighter traffic. Mostly gentle undulation with just a few very short and steep inclines. Nice scenery. Not a lot of places for water / food.

2010.11.11
Cities: Vieng Phouka to ??
Distance: 32.5 miles
Total Ascent: 2400 feet
Avg Speed: 7.2 MPH

This is one of three mountains between Vieng Phouka and Huay Xai. Pretty serious incline (10% grade) followed by ups and downs along a mountain ridge. The descent into a valley at this time was nasty with road construction. Other than that, good roads and super light traffic. Keep in mind, these roads are also completely exposed to the sun so it gets really hot during midday.

We stayed at an unmarked guesthouse that is, as far as we’re aware, the only option between Vieng Phouka and Huay Xai. Look for a fuel station with a few stores across the street, the girls running the stores speak some English and will likely offer the guesthouse. It’s in the valley between mountains #1 and #2.

2010.11.12
Cities: ?? to Huay Xai
Distance: 42.6 miles
Total Ascent: 2800 feet
Avg Speed: 7.5 MPH

More serious inclines to get over 2 mountains.. we also suffered the hottest day yet, though it might have just been our imagination during the climb straight up the mountain. The second, and last, mountain is the longest and steepest climb of this leg. No traffic, decent roads (beginning suffered from some construction). The last 25 km into Huay Xai are along a gently hilly valley and are very easy compared to earlier in the day.