The first day, leaving Lhasa on the Friendship Highway was relatively easy going with flat tarmac roads and back winds. The second day though we tackled our first major pass, Karo La, climbing to 5045 metres. It was a real test of all the hard training that I’d put in. It also put into perspective how tiny the once imposing Croxby Hill in the Lincolnshire Wolds really is. Luckily our efforts were rewarded by amazing food and coffee made by a couple of Tibetans in the back of a truck. This not only saved us from starving but also from the notorious Yak Butter Tea made.
My worst moment on the trip was day 5 when we had to climb 1200 metres over 24km to an altitude of over 5200m. Although the gradient wasn’t huge the ever decreasing oxygen levels and fierce head winds sapped the strength and left me completely exhausted as I reached the pass. I’ve never felt so physically tired and we still had over 40km to ride that day! Fortunately the downhills were long and fast. As the roads are switchbacks the motorised traffic is held up, but not bikes that can sweep round the bends and overtake.Unfortunately the altitude was not the only danger met on this trip! Yak Butter Tea was an obvious one but there were also mad dogs, small children with stones and sticks, Kamikaze chickens and bedding that contained more wildlife than Whipsnade.
On day 7 we said goodbye to tarmac and turned off onto the rutted jeep tracks towards the Everest region. It took us 2 days to finally reach Everest on these demanding roads, where spectacular views greeted us. I was feeling extremely proud of my achievement until we met a wiry Chinese man who’d cycled 5000km carrying all his equipment to get to this point!! We were due to spend that evening at Everest Bass Camp but the continued toll of high altitudes and physically demanding Cycling left one of our group exhausted and suffering from the acute effects of high altitude. At midnight that night we took the decision to leave Everest and descend 1000 metres to prevent the potentially fatal result of acute mountain sickness. So I’d ridden all that way, and have still have never experienced sunrise at the highest mountain on earth.
On our next few days riding we were heading towards the Kathmandu Valley and the longest road descent in the world! We spent a very thrilling day and a half, barely turning our legs descending a total of 4000 metres. Descending through the cloud level and the tree line we cycled through the lush green Kathmandu Valley. At the Chinese – Nepalese border a Nepali Doctor, checking for Swine Flu handed me a multiple use thermometer to check my temperature. After turning to my companion and seeing him putting it his mouth I followed suit. It was then somebody else asked – ‘What do I do with this?’ an innocent question , the answer though filled me with horror– ‘Put it in your armpit’!!!!Once in Nepal I got a huge buzz out of riding through towns and villages weaving through people, traffic, dogs, cows and chickens. All too soon we got to Kathmandu and our memorable journey was over. I lost over half a stone but gained a lot of new friends and a very sore rear.
I have been raising money for St Andrews’ Hospice in Grimsby by doing this trip and the total so far is £2130.
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