Over the pass (Day 4)

It is always hard to describe a long event without sounding like a breathless 10 year old. How do you convey the experience of persisting through a challenge over time? Inevitably, these events end up being extremely emotional. Self-doubt, determination, despair, triumph, pleasure... And at the same time, taking in the surroundings. While focused on the grit, it can almost be impossible to take in all that is around you.

Today's challenge was comparable to climbing mt Kilimanjaro in difficulty. Given my lack of preparation, my fatigue from prior days cycling, the heaviness of the bike, the altitude gain (especially after living at sea level for a year), the discomfort of a constant breakfast of rice noodles, and the distance, I really thought I wouldn't make it. But I did! All I can say is a history of cycling and endurance sports paid off.

The route took us from 2200m, up constant switchbacks, varying from 1-8% grade, to a pass at 4200m, where we hung out with yaks, posed for Chinese tourists, and stood in awe of the view of Meili Snow Mt, which was shrouded in clouds. We thought we had reached the top, and that the rest would be downhill. But clearly there was more climbing- 2 or 3 km, Fox said. He lied, it was an additional 10k of uphill to the next pass @ 4400m. (and at this point, every km was painful) After which, all downhill (well, mostly) to our hotel in Dequen.



Sent from my iPhone