Advertisement
SECRET DESERT CAMP. SUNDAY 29.6.14
Distance: 150 Kms SubT. 4,140 Kms Bal 8274 Kms
Road Condition: highway good other than shoulder debris
Weather: hot blue sky
Time in Saddle: 7 hrs Av Speed: av. 22.5 kph.
Elevation: ? m : Decent ?
Calories burned : 5100
Today was hot, long, boring scenery and I couldn't wait for it to end. Another puncture! six now I think! Now I am some what expert at the change of tubes. Have 1 original left!!!
Stopped at every service station for cold drinks. None to be had, all were room temperature. Never consumed so much Pepsi, however the sugar content does provide a short term energy boost. Luckily I have a dental appointment pre arranged at tour end.
Finally found the obscure camping site, well hidden and avoided the police scrutiny. However then had 7 -8 hours before cooler weather arrived and semi darkness. As we ate dinner the wind rolled across the desert and showered us with dust, adding grit to the meal, and covering us with a fine layer of dust to add to the truck
exhaust dust. Feeling very grotty I went for a bath with one baby wipe. Felt 'refreshed' afterwards!
Last night was quiet, but exceedingly hot. Just before bed tomorrow's ride details were posted. Another similar day, another 150 Kms. Many others down now with stomach issues. Presumably the vehicles will be full.
SECRET CAMP TO KUQA: MONDAY 30.6.14
Distance: 150 Kms SubT. 4,290 Kms Bal 8124 Kms
Road Condition: secondary highway, then main highway. good other than shoulder debris
Weather: cooler before lunch then hot blue sky
Time in Saddle: 7 hrs Av Speed: av. 22.5 kph.
Elevation: 540 m : Decent 130m
Calories burned : 5100
Today left camp at 7 am, 5 am western province time. Cloud cover so temperature made for ok riding. We were also on a secondary road for the initial 50 Kms which was more scenic and interesting, then back onto the straight as an arrow highway. Again took every drink stop possible. Feel cheated when the service station is closed. Many are! My favourite was jammed between an oil refinery, oil storage tanks and another factory pumping
out ammonia smelling fumes.
Whilst I groaned when told the distance last night, it passed relatively quickly, although pretty much the same time as yesterday's exhausting day, the difference being a hotel instead of a dust camp site.
No punctures today, hooray. However as it is a rest day tomorrow, I retrieved my spare tyres from the truck. Will replace the rear tyre which has a small hole in the rubber, which I think maybe causing my angst. We have two BIG DAYS (175 ea apparently) coming up before Kashgar next Sunday.
On local guide's recommendation went to Kucher Bazaar for dinner. Nothing appeared to be open. Went at 7.30 ( 5.30 local time, clearly to early. Also it's RAMADAN, so Muslims can't eat before sunset, about 9.30 Beijing time.) explains why nothing was open. Also fly blown and looked unappealing. Walked back to hotel. Not a particularly appealing town, but appears to have wealth judging by the cars and shops. Ate chips and nuts. Am still losing weight which is concerning as we have some huge days in distance and climbs coming up.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.125s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 11; qc: 29; dbt: 0.0734s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Brett Walton
non-member comment
Tyres & Tubes?
Hi Roger Just reading your adventures. Do you want me to go to Mike's Bikes and purchase some additional tyres & tubes (couple packets of Tim Tams as well) and then send them out ahead of you? Let me know as it is no problem, and if so anything else you need, protein bars/powder etc etc. Cheers Brett