Here Be Elephants

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The next four days are pretty much the same in road description. Flat, a lot of traffic, lots of honking, nothing of interest to see. Anyone else taking this route should probably bus unless they are crazy like us.

2010.12.6
Cities: Ha Tinh to ???
Distance: 36.4 miles
Total Ascent: 235 feet
Avg Speed: 10.7 MPH

We were rained out and stopped at a random hotel, hence the low mileage.. otherwise we would’ve done a lot more.

2010.12.7
Cities: ??? to Dong Hoi
Distance: 57 miles
Total Ascent: 500 feet
Avg Speed: 9.5 MPH

At some point along this road there is a sign claiming the AH1 to Dong Hoi is to the left, and the AH1 to Ho Chi Minh City is on the right. In reality, the split is for the old AH1 that goes over a mountain (to the left) or the new road that goes through a tunnel (on the right). The tunnel is well lit with a decent shoulder so we’d recommend it.

2010.12.8
Cities: Dong Hoi to Ho Xa
Distance: 37.2 miles
Total Ascent: 348 feet
Avg Speed: 8.6 MPH

Matthew’s Kindle was stolen while we were stopped to repair a flat tire here. This caused severe delays with the police and cycling during the night just to make it as far as we did. Anyone else could’ve made it much further.

2010.12.9
Cities: Ho Xa to Hue
Distance: 63.8 miles
Total Ascent: 575 feet
Avg Speed: 10.3 MPH

Looong day for us. But still flat and easy. We discovered the DMZ is nearly right at Ho Xa; potentially you could visit from there but we saw no signs or tourist agencies.