Climbing up 3,200 meters; down 100 meters (surely there is a missing zero?).
I am feeling quite daunted at the thought of today’s climb: 90 kilometres up, and getting up in altitude also, so I decided to add a couple more kilometres by missing the first flag. Thankfully some of the other riders did the same thing and we noticed quite quickly.
The climb for the first 30 kilometres was a series of switch backs, then just a road that kept curving and going up and up.
A photo of the winding road today (Photo and caption credit: Laura and Greg’s blog)
Lunch was unexpectedly early at 38 kilometres, and we were given the welcome news that instead of 90 kilometres we were riding 70 kilometres 😀 😀 :D. At an average of 7.5 kilometres and hour this is nearly three hours less climbing!
The lunch truck today (Photo credit: Laura and Greg’s blog)
At about 2,900 meters up the altitude starting taking effect. The scenery was stunning, but very hard to truly appreciate when you are gasping for breath.
I stopped at every shop for more water, and one PowerAde, and reapplied sunscreen countless times. I started taking altitude sickness pills today (which I should have started two days ago, oops!) and they say to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. Well from 6:30am to 3pm I was out in the sun. Eight and a half hours climbing up a hill.
I was very pleased to get to camp. I got my tent up, sorted out my gear, had a wet wipe bath, and had a nap. In total I climbed up 2,192 meters.
The change in the distance was because it would have been more than a 3,200 meter climb, and the 20 kilometres we did not do today will be added to tomorrow’s ride.
It’s cold once the sun goes, I have a few layers on including a hat and gloves.
Dinner was chicken, pasta, and stir fry veges.
Bush camp – basically a cleared lot beside the road. Dusty! (Photo and caption credit: Laura and Greg’s blog)
Bush camp – basically a cleared lot beside the road. Dusty! (Photo and caption credit: Laura and Greg’s blog)
Kaye's Awesome Adventures 