KATHMANDU TO KALIMPONG 2014: Monday, 17th February, 2014 Mud, Mayhem and Mishap on the Road to Sindhulimadi

Distance - 35.7 miles Climbing - 5262 ft
Route Details www.strava.com/activities/116784102

What an eventful day !! Firstly, white tea and a basin of warm water for washing at 5.45 am, breakfast at 6.15 am, ready to leave at 7.00 am. I don't mind camping but the mornings are the worst time. Tent is cold and wet with condensation, clothes feel damp. Ugg. Slept fitfully first night in tent, awake every couple of hours, too hot, so out went hot water bottle and fleece liner. Spike's back tyre has stayed up so fingers crossed. The next section of road is under construction so we bused it to Khurkot and the plan was to cycle from there, bikes went in a truck. What a nightmare, because of the heavy rain during the night the road has turned into a quagmire, buses, trucks, cars, slipping and sliding with steeps drops on both sides. Our bus would get so far up a slope then grind to a halt in the rutted, muddy road. The men would get out and push, push and we would be off again. I saw a service bus crammed full with people attempt a slope 5 times and not get up, I thought there was no way it could make it but about an hour later when we were having lunch the bus came trundling through. Amazing drivers and passengers. We saw stunning views of terraced farms, steep peaks and lush valleys. Families in the areas have had houses built for them in compensation for the road disruption. This was a better day, still chilly but the sun was out. A decision was made at Khurkot, as we were so behind schedule, not to cycle the approaching steep hill but bus us to the top. This was a climb of about 4,000 ft that I had really been looking forward to and trained hard for, so I was really disappointed and made my feelings known but to no avail. The decision was not open for discussion !! So we bused to the top, had lunch, and I sat in the huff. I quickly realised I was being silly, plans change in a trip like this so snapped out of it. We had 35 miles to cycle and what a beautiful ride it was. Great road with steep descents, twisting turning hairpin bends, fast, fast. There were also plenty uphills so all in all quite a taxing ride which made up for my earlier disappointment. In fact there is no way we could have cycled the hill plus the last 35 miles in the day allotted. Another time, this part of the route would need to be rethought.
Natasha, who wasn't a confident cyclist and had spent day 1 in the car decided she would like to start cycling. Ken and I stayed with her to offer advice.Unfortunately, she very quickly lost control of her bike and crashed. She was badly grazed and her wrist damaged. We put her in the back support vehicle then cycled furiously to catch the others, I was quite exhausted by the time we caught them up. Natasha had her wrist strapped up but decided to stay with the group, travel in the car, and enjoy seeing Nepal and India. I feel quite responsible as I was with her, the more experienced cyclist, so could have advised her better. It was an accident waiting to happen.
The weather is warmer now which is nice and we are in a lovely camp site with all amenities provided by the team. I haven't had a shower yet, using baby wipes but I think I will tomorrow. Lovely evening meal of mild curry, meat and veg., rice, onion bhajis. Lying in tent and there is loud music playing over loudspeakers, think a local wedding is in full swing. Joy of joys. Mixed day but loving it.