We arrived in Delhi after a fairly long but straight forward journey. We flagged a tuktuk down for a whistle stop tour of the city. We are not City people, and touring Delhi is not what we came to India for. Saying that, the couple of hours we had were pretty entertaining!
Rach in a TukTuk!
The flight from Delhi to Leh took us over part of the Himalaya.
Leh is excelent! Great markets, great scenery and makes a good base to start adventurous journeys in the region. For us, two of the three worlds highest road passes are accessible from Leh. This turned out to be our acclimatisation. FYI Leh is at 3524m!
Day one of cycling took us to Stok Monastery, apparently where the Royalty of Ladakh live...Didn't see any though. Gentle cycle was the order of the day and a was key to the acclimatisation process.
Stok Monastery.
Tinker time. Our truck was with us for the entire journey. Good for a laugh.
Prayer flags
Day two, still based from Leh took us to a more arid area. Great single track options and an introduction to high altitude ups!
Chai
High point of day two.
We used balloons to treat the kids. Sweets and chocolate is what they want, but its so bad for them. 'Got to be cruel to be kind!'
Final part of the acclimatisation process. We drove to the top of the worlds third highest road pass (Chang La - 5360m)...then bezzed down!
Interestingly, I did a video diary at the top. Hearing it back on our return home, I sounded slow, confused and pissed! (Some may say thats normal for me!) I do remember having a headache that improved as we descended.
The start of the 'Big Day!'
Leh 3525m to Khardung La 5359m (40km)
Rach and Me at the top of the pass. Rach did so well and seemed to cope with the altitude really well. I felt good and strong until about three quarters of the way up (say 5000m). I still had loads left in my legs but I felt pissed! I wasn't going to let this beat me so just carried on. Getting to the top I felt terrible! (Forced smile above!)
Disappointingly, but wisely I took the truck down. At around 5000m, I started to come round!
Start of the real journey. We all ready had sore bums and the thought of 425km and several more big climbs had us asking 'why?!'
The Indian roads are pretty dangerous! But have comedy signage.
Our first night camping. Pink tents seem to work!
The second highest road pass - Taglang La - 5328m.
After my episode of Khardung La the previous day, I was pretty apprehensive about going high for a third time.
It was like a carbon copy of the Khardung La. Felt strong. Got to 5000m and felt pissed and dizzy. This time I didn't want to trash myself. So, very reluctantly I took the bus up the final section. Even on the bus, I had waves of sickness and dizzyness. Only improving once we descended below 5000m.
We descended onto a a relatively high arid plateau. Dry, dusty and hot! 30km of flat riding took us to...
...a scene from Indiana Jones (well it should have been!)
Two of our very capable support crew. Michael (left) re-constructed my rear mech after a wee tumble!
Our two guides preparing lunch...at 5000m!
Just before the descent down the Gata Loops.
If I was to marry an man...and I wasn't already married or on my honeymoon...this guy would but in the running. Our second in command.
Road works
As we approach Keylong, we enter a more 'Alpine' Environment. Less arid and in some respects, more dramatic.
Crazy roads, but pleasent climbing. Probably the most enjoyable day. Through Keylong and to the base of the Rotang Pass (our final climb).
Roadworks / sweeping up!
Inspiring
'Its all about making decisions'...this one was his last.
Dust conquered by Buffs. I wish I had invented them.
Our team minus Emily
Amazing cake...made in a tent
Boozing with the crew on our last night together.
We ate so well. This is what they had! Cakes, pakoras, samosas, pizza to name a few.
Our support x.
Atop the last pass.
Complete ;-)
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