Final Day's Planned Riding

As we wrap up the riding part of this incredible journey, tomorrow marks a shift in gears—literally and figuratively. Terry will be swapping places with Neil and heading back to the UK, and we’ll be heading off to Halong Bay to reunite with the girls. But today’s adventure was one to remember, filled with stunning landscapes, challenging terrain, and a chartered ferry.

The day started on a high note, Terry was fuelled by a hearty breakfast of cheese on toast along with fuel for the bikes.  From there, we set off on the first scenic route of the day, a winding lane that rewarded us with breathtaking views. This particular road wasn’t entirely unfamiliar, as the girls had explored its early stretches just a few days ago. The scenery was defined by dramatic basalt rock outcrops and sparse soil. Witnessing the locals carve out a living in such a rugged environment was truly humbling.

Our journey took us to a serene river nestled between towering limestone peaks. 

Here, we stumbled upon a makeshift shop where we managed to negotiate a private ferry to cross the river. 

Loading the bikes onto the boat felt like a quintessential adventure moment, and the crossing itself was surrounded by jaw-dropping vistas.

On the far side of the river, the adventure intensified. The terrain became even more primitive, with narrow mud tracks leading to a steep climb. Thankfully, the dry conditions made it manageable for us hardened adventurers (or a local family on a Honda 90) albeit nerve-wracking. 

While taking in the view, we encountered a couple of riders on XR150s—a local guide and his Canadian client.   They were the tossers that had cut us up the day before and had been shown how to ride by Terry…  And they recognised him/us.  They were astonished that we had discovered the track and river crossing on our own, adding a bit of pride to our journey.

The next 40 km was a mix of thrilling rides and unbelievable views and backdrops as we made our way to the main road. We also having previously seen wild boar and many domestic swine finally got to see a native pot bellied pig. With daylight fading, we decided to head straight to Bac Kan, our night stop. My bike’s rear shock, which had been deteriorating over the past few days, finally gave up entirely. The ride became a wild, bucking affair, but the thought of a warm welcome kept us going.  I feel like I have just been to a Michael Barrymore party!

Sure enough, upon arrival at our hotel in Bac Kan, we were treated as honoured guests. Even the bikes seemed to get a hero’s reception! It was a perfect ending to a challenging yet rewarding day.

Tomorrow, a new chapter:  Having covered 5500 km (3500 miles) the next phase begins as three of us ride to Halong Bay, leaving the trails behind but carrying the memories of this incredible journey with us. Stay tuned for the next phase of our adventure!