The climb from Hell

 Right on schedule, 6:45, I left Hue.  Rush hour starts early, shear madness as a million motorbikes weaved around each other, going left, going right, I held my ground on the shoulder.  The pollution was one large yellow haze.  How fast can I get out of here.  Four hours later and two tunnels I turned off for the mountain bypass. The longest tunnel in Southeast Asia forbids bicycled. Just over forty-five miles ridden, it was pushing one hundred degrees with an accompanying high humidity. Running on empty, I pulled over after about two miles. A Vietnamese couple on a motorbike going down hill pulled over next to me.  After a good time with them and some lunch, I started to climb again. The energy wasn’t there and I had a long way to climb. Pushing the bike for a while, I pulled over to eat another orange and down some honey.  No question, I was bonking and need to wait for the honey, orange and a liter water to kick in.  It didn’t.  Pushing, pedaling and pulling over and over again.  The temperature and humidity were beating me up.  My legs were shaky but I had to make it to the top. Finally, I saw the concession stands and tour buses.  A person at the first stand beckoned me over. I saw the ice cream freezer and pulled out two mango popsicles. A guy working there helped me park my bike.  I sat down in an exhausted daze.  The third popsicle brought me to life.  I have never sweated so much; I was drenched.  The ride had to continue to reach Da Dang.  Down the other side of the mountain was exhilarating.  With over fifty miles on the odometer, I felt like stopping at the first hotel I came across. Off in the distance as I parallel the beach and water, I saw a skyline of high rises appear.  Modern impressive architecture kept me moving. Finding s coffee shop was next where I could find a hotel. After a dish of coconut ice cream, I dialed in the hotel location and as usual the GPS was beyond aggravation.  Google should be broken up. Maybe some tough competition will force them to come up with an app that works.
    After slowly zeroing on the hotel, I found it down an alley.  Hidden away, 250,000 Dong, $12.50, a great find. Given the 62.50 miles and one of the most miserable climbs I have ever made, I have decided to stay two nights. A big town, a lot going on and I plan on seeing some of it.