KATHMANDU TO KALIMPONG 2014: 02/28/14

Distance- 49.6 miles. Climbing - 6890 ft
Route Details http://www.strava.com/activities/115451359

Up at 5.00am for 6.30am start, just light, nervous and anxious to be on the road, get started. We slithered through the narrow, potholed, rough, twisting lanes of Kathmandu which led onto the busy wider roads heading east. Heavy, fast traffic cutting us up kept us alert. Some medium climbs warmed us up and everyne seemed to be coping well. The lead support vehicle though was going too fast, leaving us behind and opening too wide a gap between lead and last vehicle. John is not happy, says they will have to be told to slow down. We stopped for a yummy second breakfast served on tables, what luxury. Some cyclists had bought rain jackets which was fortunate as rain came on shrouding the roads and terraced hills in a heavy mist. I thought it was supposed to be sunny and warm !! We came to a lay-by looking towards Tibet but could see nothing because of the rain. I thought we had left this weather behind in Scotland!! The road veers between excellent and rutted mud going through villages. So difficult to keep your balance. By lunchtime we were all soaked through and freezing, not looking forward to a soggy lunch, but Binod and his team were on the ball. Tents were quickly erected and a lovely lunch of sandwiches, coleslaw and delicious chips were produced. Unbelievable. Feeling better we set off again but just before camp I had a puncture, blast, Spike never get punctures. After a quick repair I discovered that it must have been a spoke pressing through, my tyre had been over-inflated. By now the rain was off and we reached our stunning camp site by the Khosi River in a deep valley. The tents were up and hot showers were ready. David went and sat in the cold river to ease his legs and other parts, prevention is better than cure ! We had a fabulous 3 course meal of soup, pork chop, roast potatoes, veg. and gravy followed by apples and custard. Popcorn and homemade bombay mix to begin with. Enjoyed today, apart from the weather, children and people curious as ever whenever we stop. Pity about mist as thinks views would have been fabulous. Feeling strong but a bit worried about wheel, could be spoke will pop through and cause further punctures.