Kashgar Day 3 Hi Roger
Yes very sad that the tragedy happened to one if your fellow riders.
It's an amazing feat you have already accomplished!
I noticed in one of the pictures you posted I spied a Samovah - tea urn, I have one of these I brought back from Russia dated 1903!
Stay safe
When the going gets tough Hi Roger , been catching up on your blog and you are certainly getting away from it all and having amazing experiences. I am however not surprised people giving up - I think that I would have lasted about 2 or 3 days - the camping would certainly have finished me off - so can only admire the fact you are carrying on and hopefully the conditions will improve as you head further west. If you achieve this then it sounds like further trips will be a walk in the park .At my end the Tour de France came to Yorkshire and Leeds, specifically the route going about 1 mile from my house. The weather was sunny and the atmosphere amazing and they estimate over the two days in Yorkshire 2 1/2 million people came out to watch. I was a volunteer one day and was a road crossing Marshall - I got to wear a yellow jacket and was given a whistle so felt really important ! Been trying to up my game cycling - but don't quite think I have the right mental attitude as I am easily distracted by for example the World Cup ( although England were bloody awful), watching hours of the tour on tv and well just sitting in the garden. Anyway hope the conditions get easier and look after yourself! Peter
The tough get going Thanks for your vote of confidence. I think you protest too much. Into the Pamirs now with expectation of cooler weather. Did you enjoy your Marshall role? Do the bikes whiz past? Was the crowd behaved or were the disappointed English soccer fans running rampant! Not likely to have internet for next 14 days whilst in mountains, but fear not I will continue writing and taking photos!!!! Cheers Roger
Glad to see you brought the camera today! You are definitely looking like you have a tan! Interesting to hear the others thoughts regarding the ride!! You have definitely seen a few animals along the way of this trip! Great photos xx
K2 Thanks G. On city tour tomorrow, but think I have already seen main sights. Walked many ks today. Mum got off ok? Spoke to her at ap and all ok. She told me she had discussed with you about nana and A Ag. I will SMS u when I can confirming arr. if you need me SMS me on the phone no. We have been using. I look at it at end of every day. You are only member of 'team' in Oz. So hold the fort, haha. Love dxxx
Hi Dad - so sorry to hear about the passing of one of the riders! I can imagine the group must be in shock right now! I hope you can enjoy the days you have in Kashgar! Stay safe! xxxx
recent days Hi Roger. .seems like it's been a tough time. The photos are great & I definitely see the turkic features starting to show thru. So sorry to hear the sad news of the finnish rider. I can understand re-evaluating the conditions of the ride, life is more important than losing it for a bike journey in the end. My best wishes to you all, safety in ur riding. Bub xx
KUQA Hi G, secret camp was a whole!!! Thick dust, hard ground BUT a good night sleep! KUQA is ok, but I won't be back haha. A few big days coming up so about to go for dinner. Hopefully energising. Hope all is good with u. Hopefully can FT U from Kashgar Sunday or Monday. Love dxxx
Tyres Tubes Food! Hi Roger
No problem, I thought if you knew a hotel a week in advance I could FedEx Priority it to you. Let me know if you need anything in future and we can give it a go! Wow quite a few Kms in front of you. How is the body after the crash? Take care.
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
Food and tyres Thanks Brett, generous offer however bought two giant tubes the other day. Also swapped over rear tyre, the source of my grief, today with a new spare so hopefully it will be better. The highway, occupied primarily by big trucks is littered with truck tyre debris, wire mainly and glass. 750 Kms in next 5 days to Kashgar the 300 to border, then no highways just minor roads, so should be better other than for gradient!! Also not sure where you could send post to ,for it to reliably arrive!! Cheers and thanks again for offer. Roger
Food Yes I think I had my first restaurant central Asian meal, rice with sultanas and vegetables, shredded carrot, shish skewers, Pepsi and cardamom tea. Very tasty and filling- $13-. It was lovely to speak with you and Mum. I feel a million miles away over here! Just saw the injured man from yesterday walking in hotel.spoke to him, feels sore and will fly home, probably Tuesday. A big relief. Time here now is 2.31pm. 4 hrs difference to GC. Sleep well love dxxx
You think you are having it tough ! Just got back from cycling in the Cotswolds and caught up with your blogs. My end stayed in a hotel in Stow on the Wolds with en suite facilities , cycled 50 miles on gentle hills with my mates and what I burnt off in calories was easily undone by the cream tea stops and huge nighttime quantities of beer. Where to start with you - sorry to hear about the fall but sounds like you are now nearly recovered. The camping, conditions and weight loss are all lots for you to contend with . But you are correct about the stars - must have been amazing. Incredible highs and lows I should imagine. You do make me think that I should be a touch more adventurous than the Cotswolds !
Anyway I think that you are doing amazingly well and am hugely impressed and indeed inspired by what you are doing .
Onwards and upwards.
Peter
Cotswolds Hi Peter, I got your message, in fact 4 times!! If I had another choice the Cotswolds would be it. This is not much fun, just gruelling. Getting daily puncture due to crappy road surfaces, little sleep as camps beside highway with I am sure 500 trucks per night passing. Roll on September. Cheers and enjoy the tea. Roger
You think you are having it tough ! Just got back from cycling in the Cotswolds and caught up with your blogs. My end stayed in a hotel in Stow on the Wolds with en suite facilities , cycled 50 miles on gentle hills with my mates and what I burnt off in calories was easily undone by the cream tea stops and huge nighttime quantities of beer. Where to start with you - sorry to hear about the fall but sounds like you are now nearly recovered. The camping, conditions and weight loss are all lots for you to contend with . But you are correct about the stars - must have been amazing. Incredible highs and lows I should imagine. You do make me think that I should be a touch more adventurous than the Cotswolds !
Anyway I think that you are doing amazingly well and am hugely impressed and indeed inspired by what you are doing .
Onwards and upwards.
Peter
You think you are having it tough ! Just got back from cycling in the Cotswolds and caught up with your blogs. My end stayed in a hotel in Stow on the Wolds with en suite facilities , cycled 50 miles on gentle hills with my mates and what I burnt off in calories was easily undone by the cream tea stops and huge nighttime quantities of beer. Where to start with you - sorry to hear about the fall but sounds like you are now nearly recovered. The camping, conditions and weight loss are all lots for you to contend with . But you are correct about the stars - must have been amazing. Incredible highs and lows I should imagine. You do make me think that I should be a touch more adventurous than the Cotswolds !
Anyway I think that you are doing amazingly well and am hugely impressed and indeed inspired by what you are doing .
Onwards and upwards.
Peter
You think you are having it tough ! Just got back from cycling in the Cotswolds and caught up with your blogs. My end stayed in a hotel in Stow on the Wolds with en suite facilities , cycled 50 miles on gentle hills with my mates and what I burnt off in calories was easily undone by the cream tea stops and huge nighttime quantities of beer. Where to start with you - sorry to hear about the fall but sounds like you are now nearly recovered. The camping, conditions and weight loss are all lots for you to contend with . But you are correct about the stars - must have been amazing. Incredible highs and lows I should imagine. You do make me think that I should be a touch more adventurous than the Cotswolds !
Anyway I think that you are doing amazingly well and am hugely impressed and indeed inspired by what you are doing .
Onwards and upwards.
Peter
Hard slog Hi Roger, great to see your story and glad that I can enjoy this epic ride vicariously as I am sure I would be in hospital by now had I attempted it!
Georgie
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Some great shots - can definitely see the Turkic style!! Glad to talk to you earlier - enjoy your ride tomorrow! xx