CYCLING TO LE PASS

“You won’t know Le pass till you go.

And once you do—get ready to pant like crazy.”

(Chưa đi chưa biết đèo Le/Đi rồi mới biết đạp lè lưỡi ra)

Le Pass, at 279 meters above sea level, stretches across Hon Tau Mountain on Provincial Road 611, right where Son Vien and Que Loc communes meet in Nong Son District, Quang Nam Province. It might only be 3.5 km from bottom to top, but don’t be fooled—this climb packs an average gradient of 12.5% with a whole bunch of tight, winding curves. Anyone in their 60s who can bike up this pass without sticking their tongue out in exhaustion must be a superhero.

This morning, on a bit of a whim, I joined a few buddies for a ride from Da Nang to Que Son. We climbed to the top of Le pass, sipped some coffee with a view, then descended into Nong Son, cruising along the Thu Bon River and over the scenic Phuong Ranh Pass before looping back to Da Nang.

I felt like I’d had all my kung fu powers stripped away. Hopefully the photos from the ride, especially at Le pass, are enough to redeem me.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

If you ever find yourself passing by Le pass without stopping for its legendary chicken, you’re seriously missing out. The boiled chicken is great—but the spicy grilled chicken? Absolutely unforgettable. One bite, and it stays with you forever.

—-

Mr. Old Man, 12/2019