I first met Gloria Munsen when I stopped by the Saigon South GRT store in District 7 of Ho Chi Minh City.  She was planning a multi-day tour of the Mekong Delta and needed help planning a route and outfitting her unique Dahon folding touring bike for her journey.  I was immediately impressed by the Dahon's quality build and high end componenets including the SRAM DualDrive shifters and rear derailleur.  She had waterproof Merida panniers to carry her gear.  We did a number of adjustments to her bike including reversing the break levers which had been installed with a left lever/rear break configuration.  We also adjusted her seat height, adjusted the break callipers and pads, and made all of the minor adjustments necessary for an ensuing multi-day tour of the Mekong Delta.

By James McKenzie (Staff Reporter) 

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We talked over lunch about her career as a teacher and her preparations for the multi-day tour she had just completed through Laos to Northern Vietnam.  She had begun cycling enthusiastically in Japan which Munsen said was very "cyclist
friendly."  She observed that in Tokyo it was common for people to leave their bicycles unlocked while unattended, remarking, "people often employ a very cheap bike for errands such as grocery shopping" and suggested that bike theft was not a
problem in Japan's capital.  I explained that it was best in Vietnam to keep the bike with her during her nights in hotels and inns. She said that she would keep er 'baby' safe with her at night.

I was impressed with how exhuberant Gloria was about the wonderful journey she had just concluded that took her through Cambodia and Laos.  Laos seemed to leave a very indelible impression with Gloria as she recounted riding on the long open and unpopulated roads.   It was striking to be speaking with Gloria about her recent achievements while she was still basking in the light of them herself.

There are great rides in and around District 7 and I offered to take Gloria on a shakedown ride around Phu My Hung.  We reasoned that it would be a good warmer for the next days departure and also serve as a test run for the adjustments we had
made to her bike.  Gloria and I departed for an easy 15km ride through the fringes of the Phu My Hung development.  We made a few minor adjustments to the seat and brakes along the way and by the end of the ride she confirmed that the bike was ready to go!

Before I left her we took the opportunity to get the only photos of Gloria on her bike since commencing her South East Asian tour.  She took a few spins up and down the quiet street in front of the GRT store and I snapped a few pics of her riding
and sporting a new GRT Jersey.

Gloria stopped into the store again after her ride and the entire staff of GRT including Rod, Ty, Tu, Ha, myself and my wife Tien went for dinner at a resort area in the outskirts of Saigon.  She recounted her adventures in the Mekong Delta and
we had a great dinner as a wrap-up to her South East Asian adventure.  The next day she returned to her hometown in Texas.