We left one of our number Alan behind for follow up medical checks after yesterdays accident and judging by the look on his face he was not too happy about it !
Leaving Keelong we were once again straight into climb mode with the piercing sun threatening to make this a hard days work.
Following a stunning valley the scenery slowly becomes starker and similar to Tibet's signifying the dryer side of the Mtn range.
The climbing surface was shared between bitumen and rocky dirt road, in my case often a speed just barely able to keep me in control of my bike - apparently my 5,000 km warm up doing little to nothing to prepare me for cycling at altitude !
We crossed a checkpoint where we had to produce our passports and climbed on switchbacks for again stunning views of the Mtns and glaciers.
Aftert taking a late lunch it was 7 slow kms into Potsoi quite simply a couple of sheds in the middle of nowhere.
With the sun briefly out we celebrated our pretty hard days ride with river cooled beer before quickly adjurning to our tents as the winds came up and temperatures plummeted.
In the absence of hot water one of our groups riders Geoff a Dr from Mudgee, damned a small creek and plunged into to the frigid waters to aid a much needed wash - i froze shivered watching him !
Tomorrow sees the moment of truth with a 1,000 meter climb over 30 kms up to 4,950 meters. It doesnt sound much but these are the altitudes were just maintaining reasonable breathing can be a challenge!
Judging by today's effort it will be either a very long climb for me or a ride on the support jeep !
No comments:
Post a Comment