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Published: June 12th 2014
GREAT WALL CAMP:
Distance: 131 Kms SubT. 2706 Kms Bal 9,775 Kms Road Condition: terrible
Weather: atrocious
Time in Saddle: 8 hrs Av Speed: av. 20 kph. Av Cadence. Rpm
Elevation: 1550 m : Decent 500 m
Calories burned : ?
Today was the worst day. Started out in sunshine, which shortly afterwards turned overcast, then fierce headwinds 40kph min. Evidence of how windy the area was, is by the hundreds of wind turbines.
The road was a constant uphill gradient, so by lunch my energy was zapped, but still had 60 Kms to ride. Two hours later stopped in a remote shop, picture the pub in Werewolves of London and you are close. The scenery was bleak at best all day, again the Moors and Oz outback combined. Then the rain started making the road treacherous, it was already badly potholed and the rain and dust made the surface slippery.
The coke stop rejuvenated me, then 7 Kms out from the finish I had a bad fall. Then run over by the bike slipstreaming me. My bike was buggered, as was I and the
other rider. We thought we had each broken collarbones, I also had badly bruised and grazed my right hip and gravel rash down the left leg, arm and a little on the face. We were a little in shock, the cold and the pain of our injuries combined. The other rider, Yol, had a very painful right collarbone. We called in the recovery vehicle which took 45 mins to get to us due to the bad road and weather conditions. We huddled together in a culvert to keep each otter warm, but were frozen when the truck arrived.
When we arrived at camp the conditions had worsened, so we sat in the vehicle drinking boiling water whilst the heater was on.
Thankfully others erected our tents for us. We ate a hot stew, and swallowed ibuprofen and paracetamol to help us sleep, going to bed thinking we had broken bones and our trip was over.
It rained all night. A miserable B.... Hole.
ZHANGYE :
Woke today with light rain. Struggled into other clothes, collapsed the sleeping mat and bag, harder than contemplated, got up and collapsed and packed the tent. Very tiring and painful.
Today I rode the bus all day. Doug the bike mechanic fixed my bike, binding the brake and gear leavers to the handle bar by strong rubber bands. He believes it will hold. Hopefully he is correct. I have witnessed him perform some minor miracles with other's bikes!
On leaving camp the truck I was on and the other truck became heavily bogged. We all got heavily muddied trying to recover traction. After an hour we were clear. The riders also had a treacherous journey for 5 Kms leaving camp and after a few minor falls, each walked their bikes to the "main" road. Seeing them on hotel arrival they were heavily coated in mud and exhaust fume dust.
This afternoon Yol and I went to the local hospital for X-rays. Mine was good, no fracture, just badly bruised. So 5 days in the bus then a few half days. My biggest concern now is the corrugated roads and the shoulder jarring. Yol was not so fortunate, and her riding appears to be over, at least for the next 2 months, as she must wear an arm sling to ease the damaged shoulder ligaments. She will require an operation when she returns home unfortunately. Hospital service was good and cheap, for me all included AUD 15-. However not sure I would like to be hospitalised here!!
On route to the hospital saw an amazing teak pagoda and the shrine to a reclining Buddha.
Found a warming coffee afterwards to reflect on my good fortune.
Tomorrow we camp again, and again rain is forecast. We thought a desert would be sunny and hot!
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Barbara
non-member comment
treacherous ride
Wow, I'm glad to hear u will be fine tho. Don't think I'll tell mum this one! !!So sorry for oother rider Yol. .hope she will be ok and try again later. Am enjoying ur posts immensely. Be safe xx B