(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 14-09-2014 - Sunday Todays pass, Lhakpa La, was a real challenge. Starting at 4100m it rose continuously to 5240m. Unlike the earlier passes it was more like a NZ one going straight up a river valley with some steeper gradients, rather
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 13-09-2014 - Saturday Although only about 60km to cover we had the Simi La pass to climb today. It was only 4525m max and the road was mostly good. From camp there was about a 10km gradual climb before the real
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 12-09-2014 - Friday Rapid Rob’s glued Tibetan mudguard was still holding up and a bit of mud finally gave it a used look. I haven’t had any mechanical problems to date (other than the broken guard I caused!). The
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 11-09-2014 - Thursday Today we awoke to 6ºc and rain. Glad it was a hotel night as camping would have been miserable. Also glad not to be riding: a leisurely breakfast, Monastery tour and sightseeing were the only things on the
Cycling
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 10-09-2014 - Wednesday First thought: It's 95km but flat'ish and after a good night's sleep in a hotel bed! See what I think about that later! Later: It was as written up in the notes
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 09-09-2014 - Tuesday It was fine but cold when we started riding so I had my rain shell on as a wind break. After a run along the lake the climb up above the dam was a bit of an effort
Cycling
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 08-09-2014 - Monday In the morning at we watched a local shepherd study us eating breakfast. We'd camped near his regular morning route to water the sheep & goats. Was amazing to watch him hand stitching a shoe soul
Cycling
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 07-09-2014 - Sunday It was nice to be woken up with a hot drink, a morning ritual. The weather was fine so we had an Al fresco Breakfast (photo by Helen). There was an option of cereal/muesli or nice (not
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 06-09-2014 - Saturday After packing our luggage into the bus at the Yak Hotel we rode along the main street for a group photo outside the Potala (must get got that shot, thanks Kirsten!). (L to R) Ollie, Paula, Me (behind)
Cycling
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 02-09-2014 - Tuesday – Arriving in Lhasa The flight was great with only minimal turbulence in a thin cloud layer on ascent and descent. From the lush green hills and swollen muddy rivers of Nepal we climbed to the true alpine plateau
(A mix of travel notes and comments added later) 30-08-2014 – Saturday – Kathmandu Arrival I’ve never flown through Kuala Lumpur before but, like a Vietnam flight, the trek across Australia seems endless. You cross the Tasman on a curving course from near Sydney up to the Northern Territory. It'
Cycling
Somehow I had it in my head that I was flying around midnight Saturday. The itinerary said Saturday but it was late on Thursday night that it dawned on me 00:15 is actually bloody early Saturday, more like Friday night! Luckily I had sorted everything out so packing the
