Catching Up--ATTN: CYCLISTS

I'm determined to catch up the blog because today, I had the best day of cycling in Vietnam so far and I rode what I believe will prove to be the downhill I will award the "Best Brake Burner Award" at the end of the tour (stay tuned). I have so many things to add but need to put up a quick post for any potential cyclists considering touring to/from Dalat to/from the Central Highlands:

1) The Lonely Planet suggestion of roads (dated 2001) from Lam Ha to Dalat, Higway 20, is WAY outdated and simply wrong. There is a much better road with a MUCH better road surface and a MUCH better grade and MUCH better traffic conditions and, to top it off, MUCH better scenary than Highway 20. Please, if you're in Lam Ha, just south of town on Highway 27, PT 725 breaks off to the East. It may not be marked by number, so ask locals how to get to places like Nam Bam and Ta Nung. Different from Highway 20, you won't see as much of the local agricultural open fields, you will see a good deal of the local greenhouse ag, you won't see nearly as much traffic as PT 20 mostly motor bikes (MANY FEWER BUSES honking in your ear), the climb will be longer (not sure how long) but the grade will be much more manageable. From the top of the ascent, signs will lead you the remainder of the way to the Dalat City Center.

2) If you're planning on traveling to Nha Trang after Dalat (the direction I suggest for this route), take the "NEW ROAD!" It doesn't even have roadside markings yet! It's so epic, you should really consider riding it even if you didn't plan to go to Nha Trang. It was built in 2003 and still has small sections under construction, but the downhill (after a 20km uphill to the pass at 1500 meters) is absolutely magestic and amazing. Road quality is exceptional on 99% of the road (as good as Laos), scenary is unbelieveable, the downhill is awesome and with excellent construction quality, visibility is exceptional so you won't have to ride the brakes and may actually enjoy the descent at a decent rate (if you're into that...o/w just sit up and let the wind slow you down). This road is unbelieveable, it's a miracle of human ingenuity that the whole thing doesn't just cascade down the nearly vertical canyon walls it clings to. The pay off of the climb out of Dalat over the shoulder of Mt. Langbian is the 30 km downhill with some really amazing sections with views, waterfalls (plenty of place to cool down before you hit the low lands! DO IT!) and vistas from the bottom of the valley all the way back up to the pass. NOTE: I WOULD NOT SUGGEST THIS ROUTE FROM NHA TRANG TO DALAT (unless you're into that)! To find the route, buy the new map from a street vender in Dalat (or Nha Trang), the route is listed on the 2009 map or just ask the locals. It travels North out of town and away from the lake, right near the Teacher's College. ****EDIT with specific directions****