Day four of the adventure continued with fantastic weather – bluebird skies and temps in the 70s. Nights are cold and there is generally a cool breeze. I use the term breeze but at times it is more like a hurricane.
At 10,000 plus feet, there is plenty of snow and after getting the beta on our proposed ride of the day, plans had to be changed.
I believe the original plan was to ride to Muktinah where we were yesterday, and then ride to Jomsom. The new plan involved riding partway up the cliff and then venture off onto some single track. The destination remained the same but the route was different.
It was deceiving how steep the grade was from inside the jeep yesterday. It was unbelievably steep on a bike. I think I could make my bike lighter to ride here. All I need is the easiest gear and one or 2 others. 11 seems like overkill. If I try to shift into easier gears that are not there, I worry that I might break a cable.
I think that today may have been the hardest ride that I have ever been on. It was only ten miles. It only has about 3500 feet of climbing. Our average speed was about 4mph and with the requisite tea stop it took over 5 hours. The lack of oxygen and copious dust from every passing vehicle added to the difficulty rating.
There may have been 100 yards of flat. But I doubt it. It was either up….or down. Up was steep. Down seemed steeper. It went way beyond my skill set. On the bright side, I did manage to ride another of those damn suspended bridges without melting down. Yay for me. Beer please.
All in all it was a fun ride because the challenge made you do your best. The good parts were great and the challenging ones provided a great sense of accomplishment. The views were once again spectacular and we all survived. When the guide said don’t fall to the left…he meant it. There are certain no fall zones here that have to be respected.
At one of our breaks, a young village boy asked to ride my bike. Of course you can. Ad he took right off on it smiling all the while. Our whole break he was riding in circles. Having the time of his life. Two other little boys were hanging around and Dave shared his Shot Blok energy blocks with them. After a short time the boys spit them out. Guess that was a new experience that didn’t go over very well. Surprising because they taste like candy to me.
Back at the Hotel Majestic in Jonsom, well deserved beers and lunch were served. Still not sure what my Himalaya burger was made from but it was good.
Then a spectacular almost Luke warm shower and a walk through town. The “massage place/barber/salon” looked like it might be a good idea. I went for the leg massage, Bill got a shave. The same guy did both. Bill seems to still be alive and though he worked my legs to death, they feel pretty good now. Tomorrow will tell.
And now a lightning storm. That will be spectacular as well.
Kenny
