Long-Promised AW Bike Race Report

Somehow, more than two months have passed since the Angkor Wat Bike Race. How did that happen? I looked up and all of a sudden we were on the far side of Valentine's Day, not to mention President's Day, New Year's, and Christmas. But I didn't forget that I promised a post about the race, so here's what I can tell you:

Looking back on the race, I consider it an unmitigated success because

(1) I got to spend a whole weekend in Siem Reap eating Western food and being decadent, aside from the pre-5 a.m. wake-up time for the race and the whole biking and sweating part

(2) Several contributors gave generously to the race (thank you all!)

(3) I rode the race in record time (1:13) for me compared to how long it normally takes to ride 28 km down the national highway to Battambang (1:20)

(4) As souvenirs of the race, I got a pretty green biking jersey which I wear all the time at site because it wicks and a delicious breakfast at Alliance Cafe

(5) As an added bonus, on this trip I got to visit Siem Reap's crocodile farm and throw fishes at the crocodiles in a not-entirely-successful attempt to get them to show their vicious natures (Would that we had had a camera!)

What more could I have wanted?

Here's a picture of me about to cross the finish line. Yes, I did the race in flip-flops. Tennis shoes are too heavy to put in my backpack for a weekend.

And here's a picture of Team Peace Corps after the sun came up and the race was over. We were down 2 members due to dengue and a forgotten helmet, but we made up for it by eating a lot of food at the post-race brunch.