Rise and shine - Hammond (Sr.)...feels rested and ready to take the world on!

So this is how it feels after a good nights sleep – my first in 6 nights! Hurrah!! After much self-persuasion and rather begrudgingly dare I add – those Kingfisher beers I downed certainly worked...thought I slept like a baby until I got a complaint that someone in Tent 10 kept him awake all night with his snores... me snoring!! Nah! Not a chance! Okay – maybe a little – blame it on the beer ... it has been scientifically proven you know... but that’s another story for another time...

Because … today we would cross the Ganges riding over the Farraka Barrage. This dam on the Ganges River was completed in 1974-75, roughly at a distance of 10 km from the border of Bangladesh. It is the longest barrage in the world and has an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. I felt a tinge of excitement remembering how huge and majestic the river was the last time round.

We would also ride through Malda one of the busiest railway towns – but my excitement gave way to concern; in 2008 we were just 10 riders and crossing town was hell raising enough; today with 19 riders it would be even more exhilarating! Any bets on losing one of the new riders? No – not into the Ganges!! I have to keep Jonathan in sight and curb his enthusiasm...

The distance was not a problem but it was predicted to be a hot and humid day.

We set off at 8:00am with everyone cycling after a solid breakfast of porridge and bananas (mine); but fairly soon ran into heavy traffic. I knew this was a popular route for lorries with goods to offload at the Malda rail station but had not reckoned for the much improved road surface attracting even more road traffic. So, less potholes but more lorries - some compensation!

Two hours into the ride and we were riding across the spectacular 3 km Farraka Barrage. Military presence is heavy here and although photography is strictly prohibited - it did little to stop us intrepid riders from clicking away. Caroline and Tina managed to charm their way to the riverside...but on their way back (Alas! the charm didn’t last) were stopped by yet, another, rude security officer who threatened to jail them for taking pictures! We didn’t wait for a second warning and we shot  off as fast as our pedals allowed , thinking of the dire consequence. No need to describe local police cells or jails in India here!

The traffic was heavy as I had suspected - trucks so over laden with goods that many were broken down with suspension problems. Riding through Malda was relatively easy - I remembered going home day at the Homes and kids leaving for Calcutta mentioning Malda station!

Sight of the Day: Dave Willis like a good citizen - that he is (bless his cotton, woollies? soles!) - duly waiting for the traffic lights to change to green – when all around him were oblivious to the red stop light and moving!!!! (He could have had a bloody long wait!)