I haven’t done any serious cycling beyond day rides around Auckland recently. My last real distance was on a trip around the top end of the South Island with Adventure South just before Xmas 2012.
As that trip came to a close there were discussions on what to do next. Having covered all the South Island, and Northland we are starting to run out of New Zealand. Perhaps inspired by a fine meal, and accompanying wine, the Hawkes Bay and a vineyard cycle tour was a real possibility.
Thus, I wasn’t really surprised to get a call from Bas mid 2013 wanting to talk cycling but was totally unprepared for the next bit…
What, from where to where?
Bas has talked me (and other returning clients) into a rather epic ride but I have until Sept 2014 to prepare. Just as well as it is going to be rather challenging and way outside my usual comfort zone. It is still guided/supported (led by Bas) but rather more basic than those I’ve done before, even some camping!
Overnight Everest Base Camp!?
The route from Lhasa (Tibet) to Kathmandu (Nepal) will probably have hills even Bas can’t get away with describing as ‘undulations’!
At a glance;
- Day 1 ~ Arrive Kathmandu
- Day 2 ~ Sightseeing Tour. Rest of day at leisure.
- Day 3 ~ Fly Kathmandu To Lhasa Days 4-6 In Lhasa
- Days 7-10 ~ From Lhasa To Gyantse (250 Km, up to 4900m)
- Day 11 ~ From Gyantse To Shigatse (90 Km, flat) Yeah Right! - RC
- Day 12 ~ In Shigatse
- Days 13-15 ~ From Shigatse To Shegar (250 Km, 4500m up to 5200m)
- Days 16-18 ~ From Shegar To Everest Base Camp (110 Km, ~5200m)
- Days 19-21 ~ From Tingri To Zhangmu (200 Km, Note: From the summit of the Lalung La (5050m) to the Friendship bridge at 1500m involves a descent of 3500m - one of the steepest descents in the world. Gloves are a must!) I’d have thought brakes were even more of a must! - RC
- Days 22-23 ~ Cross Border Into Nepal And Cycle To Kathmandu (115 Km, 1400m)
- Day 24 ~ Contingency Day
- Day 25 ~ Trip Concludes In Kathmandu
A tick off the bucket list?
I was a bit hesitant at first but decided it was a can’t miss opportunity. To be honest a bike ride across the Tibetan Plateau wasn’t on any list of mine but I’m really looking forward to it. Now I just have to get a lot fitter!
UPDATE 12/24/2013: I added some elevation info, and one funny comment from the trip notes, and found this blog post with some great photos of the route:
