Leng's sting in the tail

The end of the offroad tour and the last day of riding. Traditionally, along with the first day, this is when most accidents happen. Fortunately, we had none.


As some of us are feeling well worn, we are given the option of a more scenic, less intense, route, or the full monty; later today we have the same choice if we choose. I'm feeling a little tender after my prancing all over the temple stones last night but I came for the riding not the scenery, so it has to be the full monty for me.
The usual warm up routine, so I take it easy for the first hour until I get into the groove. It's challenging enough, sand, thin wooden bridges over streams water splashes at others. The rice paddy fields have small mud walls and we have to hop over these too. Then the turbo button kicks in. OK, I'm still not able to hack it with the big boys at the front, but I feel more confident with speed. But, that's when mistakes happen and I have an off into a tree. I destroy my lamp cluster and it's repaired with cable ties and now points skywards making it look really odd. At this crash Ducky bails out and hitches a ride with Tony, one of the mechanics.

After refuelling we're given the option of an easier route or to take Leng's famous sting in the tail route. It involved water, lots of water and deep with it, my favourite (not) sand, and fast open stretches. I manage to find a deeper route through a water section than intended and halfway across stall the engine when the water level reaches my upper thighs. I am worried that the exhaust has taken water so I don't try to start it. One of the mechanics rescues me and helps pull the bike out. He then runs the starter over for what seems like way too long, but eventually the engine kicks into life. I continue and rejoin the group after a riding though even more water, but this time successfully. Really satisfying.

I'm soaked through below the waist, boots are full of muddy water, and I'm wet on top from the splashes, but this is a real buzz and very enjoyable. The water section over and there's a little more technical work before we join up with a dirt road. That must be it and I expect an easy ride into Siem Reap. But no, we head into more trail and, sand. But by this time I'm on a roll, the terrain is more open and finally, finally, I tame that demon.


Speed and power! Speed and power are your friends to help you through sand. You have to rewire your brain to open the throttle (power) when you start to go off course in the sand; you can do that at manageable speeds; but on its own, it's not enough. The other key is speed. That takes more confidence obviously, as crashing at higher speed hurts more. But it's speed that gives you the stability via the wheels' gyroscopic effect, enabling you to power though sand with much more grace rather than fish-tailing wildly. Suffice to say I was a happy bunny to overcome that psychological barrier. There must be some point where too much speed becomes a problem - but that lesson's for another day.


And then it really was over. We ride the last few kms into Siem Reap and our hotel for the next two nights. We congratulate each other and pose for photos; it's been a great experience. I'm tired, battered, dirty, smelly and muddy but I wouldn't have it any other way.