Yak Attack Stage 5 ...

...short but supposedly sweet.

CHAME TO MANANG - DISTANCE: 29.7KM, 1249M ASCENT (Max Elevation 3540m)

Another Sunrise!

With wake up at 530 and bags dropped to porters by 7 and the start not until 9 the question became what to wear to stay warm. I opted for warmth and then ride with the awesome seat bag that Scott made. In addition to the jacket and pants I also brought some nice thick socks, a warm undershirt and thick gloves for the finish and I would later be happy I did.

Just before the start the local hotel folks had a good luck good bye and we all got scarfs that we later hang on the bridge by the start. The people here continue to show kindness and it's not a forced feeling like some touristy places, it feels very genuine.

Breakfast was nice but for the first time in the trip I did not feel well after. With sinuses clogged and hurting belly it felt more like a normal flue than anything I'd ate so I wasn't too concerned and hoped it'll be fought off quick. 

Off the start it was a big steep climb. Then some ups and downs for a while. The temperature felt like it went from hot to cold for the first few km, and when putting in any effort the belly pain would magnify. So kept in nice and steady. Caught up to my bag (and the porter) way too soon! But at least I had supply with me and the seat bag worked awesome, both as a fender and clothing bag. The mud was pretty intense, some sections had ice and snow, felt like home, then mud...more mud...so much mud I stopped trying to avoid it. If it wasn't for the mud and the belly, it probably was one of the better mountain bike stages. But if was happy it was a short stage, nothing got better, and at one point I thought I'd just lie down for a few. About 2.5 km and what I thought was 200 m more meters of elevation from the finish, I saw a little wash and decided to throw in the towel for a bit. I figured I'd be walking for the 2.5 with that gain and be out there forever so might as well clean the bike when there was water and have a break. Just as I had started one rider came by and he was wondering why I would stop here, the finish is just around the corner. He said I'd be fine to ride it in, very close. When I got around the corner I could see the town, Manang, on the other side of a long flat stretch. I watched my garmin to the end. The last 500 m were the longest 500m in my life. But I made it. 

The finish were at the hotel so relaxed a bit as the pain settled and then hung out in the sun on the roof top, for a while. Had plenty of tea, ordered Jeff and I a "Trekkers breakfast" that once again I failed in the supply food to the guy! Sorted out the confusion and then had the best eggs ever! Well worth the long wait. Some luggage started arriving. Though as I had seen my bag as the first porter I passed, I knew it would be a while. And I was just happy I brought some good warm clothing with me. Gerry and I went through a few more pots of tea before our bags with a couple others were the last to arrive :)

Enjoyed a baby wipe shower; some "clean" cloths and dinner! Tomorrow is rest day to acclimatize to the altitude a bit. There is a movie theater in town; playing same movies as last year apparently. There is also a couple bakeries. Not a bad place to be resting.

Happy Riding!



Chips shows the truth of the road conditions!



Ready to role with some good warm cloths to the finish! Thanks Scott!!



Rai in thought before the start - he planned on sprinting this one in!

Good luck ceremony; scarf and candy to make sure of it!

Tied our good luck scarfs on the bridge, then off to the race!



Quick "bathroom" break! Sort of like riding at home!

At the finish in Manang - the mountains are getting enormous!



Jeff had a good day!

Roof top sun shine! Kept us warm for a while!

Happy riders!!

The better view.....



When cold, good time to recruit new riders to Ridleys, Yuki was onboard for a bit!

 

Yak Attack - Day 4 pictures...

...and a update.

BESI SAHAR TO CHAME - DISTANCE: 71KM, 290000M ASCENT (Max Elevation 2700m)

Today was hard, but we all knew it would be. I decided early on the pace it and enjoy the ride as much as possible. This is probably a once in a lifetime ride so it seems silly to let all the impressions go by unoticed. And even better; i got to share the experience with Erik. Thouh we did not set race pace we kept it nice and steady hard to the end. And to be honest; my legs had nothing in then towards the end so any harder would have been a bad idea. I'm still beating my self for not taking the time to put my 24/38 crank on. The grade of the climbs over here totally warrant as lighter gear.

The day started off with good luck; a chicken ran into my rear wheel and got cought, did a little revolution with the wheel and then kicked out yellping. I felt really bad, first a dog now a chicken. Though the good luck - it kept running so it must have been ok, right. (though i was just reminded that chickens run even with their heads cut off).
From there we went up and up and up...some times down, only to have to gain back the loss of elevation. We saw plenty of hikers today and went though many small "towns". It was steep! And i think having Erik there made me push up some sections I would have walked; if he cleans it I better try :) The power of peer pressure!
Some great views of the valleys, river and the mountains in the back covered with snow.
Temperatures have dropped, some ice spots even.
At the finish we were greeted with nice orange hot drink.
Hot showers seems to be history by now; i opted for a baby wipe wash.
Jeff had a good day, said his head didn't feel tired but legs felt it at the end. Guess he is human after all :)
Gerry came in with a smile too.

Tomorrow we keep going up, shorter day and then a day to rest before we start our journey over the pass in two legs.
Happy Riding!

Erik's "ride pose"...

Beautiful mountain roads - some sections not as smooth as in the picture - yet cars drive them

Erik stopped to pump some air, so I snuck up for a picture.

Great riding company today - shot by Erik!



Camp for the night - nice little "town" in the mountains.

Yak Attack Day 4...

...was all up! Happy to ride with Erik all day.

More to come with a few pictures of some incredible views today.

Happy Riding!

Yak Attack Day 3...

... did not go as I planned, but sometimes you change plans on the fly and hope for the best. 

 

GORKHA TO BESI SAHAR - 59.2KM, 1198M ASCENT (Max Elevation 1000m)

 

Nice late start today, after a nice breakfast. The racers all gathered just below the hotel for the staggered start. My plan for this short stage was to recover the legs for a big stage tomorrow (60km of all uphill (3200 m). I road pretty safe on the downhill, but still managed to miss a turn and got a Nepali guy wih me in the process, quickly got on track. Also had the terrible experience of hitting a dog at high speed and I felt terrible. He was just a little guy and yelped for a bit, but then moved on. 

After the decent I followed my plan and pedalled steady pace until Mr. Jeff came up behind; I was torn in my mind to demand he kept on, or if I should ride with him (me on the tail off course). I knew I would push harder and get to the finish quicker if I did as I could sit in on all the pedal sections which was most of the day. I stuck with him and left it up to him to leave me, it felt ok until pavement (about 15-20 km to finish) and from there on I had to work really hard to hang on. Stuck with it to the finish, and hope legs have something left for tomorrow. 

The course was as the other days full of local people, animals and various types of transportations, and when there is pavement they actually move pretty fast. Got to use my skidding skills at one occasion about 100 m from the finish, sometimes luck is part of racing.

Erik was there when we got in and he was back to him self, chatty and full of stories. Good to see, he had a great day.

Got to hotel and right away ordered food, who would know we would eat two hours later! But it's Nepal and I'm on vacation :)

Time for a nap.

Happy Riding!

Out hotel in Gorcha, riders getting ready.

Morning in Gorcha.

Two hours waiting, it was good though.

View from our room at today's hotel

Window view...

Pre day 3...

...bike prep. Beautiful morning in Gorchi. Gerry feeling better and Jeff ready to kill the road section. Topic of the morning is poop.... Fun traveling with the boys.

Staged start with 30 second intervals today, fast decent and last year apperantly mass crash... They start you slow to fastest rider so ill have Jeff chasing me down and 10 other guys.

Happy Riding!

Yak Attack Day 2...

... hardest day on a bike in a long time!

Group ride NUWAKOT to TRISULI BAZAAR 10.1km Race - TRISULI TO GORKA - 81km, 2700M ASCENT (Max Elevation 1200m)

2800 steep meters of climbing and 5hrs 37 min (not official). The best way to describe today's ride; take your bike to Powderface parking lot and ride up and down (to the peak on the rough side) until you have 2800 m, mix in a whole lot of school kids walking, goats and chickens crossing in unpredictable directions, sleeping dogs in the middle of the road and let's not forget the public busses with people on the roof, mopeds and other means of transportation working their way up and down which if I didn't actually see it my self I wouldn't believe they could. I could probably think of other ways to get my adrenaline going than gambling with my life in the many blind corners, so after my first real close call I road even more sensible.

Today I was actually thinking I'm looking forward to the snow day, at least there will be no bumps in the snow. My body is bumped out a bit :)

Had a great stop and feed station 2, but from there I got all mixed up with my profile and gps. I expected the 3 feed at the bottom of a decent around 60 km, but it never showed up, I started convincing my self the 80km must have included the group ride and aid 2 was the third and the day was almost over. So finished my second bottle and put in a little extra on the climb. Peaked at 70 with a whole bunch of happy school kids and when offered water I assumed it was locals and kindly and expected to see the finish line soon. But as it turns out the 10 km group ride was not in, and I totally blew it, 4 km from the finish I had to stop at one of the little road side store and buy some water to make it to the finish. It was the best bottle of wate I've ever had! And I don't really even like water.

I was very happy to see the finish line.

Some amazing scenery once again, a glims of the "real mountains", farmers rice fields through the mountains sides, all the school kids walking km's it seems up and down what we climbed to get to school (throwing rocks at Jeff appetantly, he was too fast so didn't see him after the start). Could you imagine the fit kids we would have if we made them walk to school and made sure every school was at the top of the biggest hill in town. I haven't seen one overweight youngster. And they are all so happy. In general everyone seems so happy and relaxed. People live in places that seems remote, and put up their little shacks selling potato chips and other goodies. I bet if they get a customer a day they are happy. 

Tomorrow is a shorter day and not as much climbing; but I won't be fooled, I don't think there is a way to get anywhere with out some wicked steep up. But fortunately for me, I've already showered had some food and resting. Others are still out there, probably see the 10 hour ride today.

Happy Riding!

Getting the riders gathered for the group ride to the start, 10 km and most of fast steep down!

View from out room today.

View from my bed ...

Yak Attack Day 1...

... 47.1 km, around 2.39. 

SHIVAPURI TO NAWAKOT 42.5KM : 890M Ascent (Max elevation 1980m)

What a start of an event. I was a bit in disbelief when I actually stood at th start with a functioning bike. So thankful to everyone that helped and specially Santos who now my favorite guy here. 

In was a group ride up the hills to a national park of kind, military guarded. Had a quick stop to gather everyone. About 10 km to start all up hill, not too steep, so good way to get legs going. Had no idea how body was going to feel after a while off the bike and lack of sleep. Felt ok. Got a glimps of the real mountains at the top of the climb, so awesome. I stuck to the plan to ride safe today, with all the issues the last thing I needed was something else. In a short stage not too big time gaps are made either way and the high speed decent following the first climb were pretty sketchy and a mistake could have high consequence. As we got into the valley it was a stretch of road through very active farmer town. People were out in the rice fields, walking goats or cows, kids at schools and some fin interaction with busses and I'm getting used to the whole left side drive.

At about the 35 mark the race ended today with a pretty wicked steep climb. And it was hot!

Bike held up great!

Jeff rode strong but had a flat on the first decent. Erik and Gerry both wasn't feeling great but in good spirits in camp.

Tomorrow is a longer stage, with 2700 m of accent over 80 something kms

We are staying at an amazing spot called the Famous Farm.

Out room on second floor...

Fifth place to out Norwegian Nepalian friend Jareev today, and here with our Hero mechanic, his brother Santos

Laundry time...

Winner of today's stage, Yuki

Treasure hunting...

...in Kathmandu.... 

Today the goal was to track down China Southern Airline to ensure our luggage would get on the next flight in. Started off with a few phone calls but with no luck so we decided to go to the office in town. With some help from the hotel front desk we had an "address" and started out taxi journey. This would be our first ride during a regular work day as Saturday is their day off. It was easily notacable with heavier traffic (meaning more of everything, as everyone shares the same road here, on all sorts of self propelled or motor type of equipment). The address given to us was the name of a district so when the cab eventually stopped we really had no idea where we was. Everyone is eager to help but unsuccessful in pointing out the spot, and eventually got some descriptions that both pointed to the same, and bingo, there it was. A little high five and smiles; we have really lowered our expectations to the definition of success. The win was a nice conversation and another phone number to call after 2pm :)

So next on our agenda was clean mocha and clean cloths. So far it seemed all we had seen and knew was Thamel, this district seemed much more like a city (minus the cows). We enjoyed a snack and a nice, modern cafe, had my first use of the "squatter", fairly successful I'd say. The shops in this area were modern and selection more fashionable so we decided to make our way to Thamel which seems to be more catered to the outdoors. We tracked down a cab after bothering a couple of civilians we mistakenly took as taxis. Jeff nicely negotiated the awesome rate of 200 (seemed great as most rides had been in the 800 range) and quickly, too quick, learned we where basically one block away.....

Pretty successful in finding some clean cloths, had a mother mocha with some sandwitch, forgot about the "stay away from lettuce etc" rule. Visited the bike shop so Jeff could get a helmet, which was left on the plane for others to enjoy during heavy turbulence. And made it back to hotel for 2pm race meeting with a close call of being dropped off by a taxi driver who was not too happy how far it was, Jeff's awesome negotiation skills that got us a 500 starting rate went up to 800.

Called the new phone number with no luck, called the airport were we started our journey and no other update other than luggage is expected to be on tonight fligh. 

We got our race plate now :) 

Happy riding!

We found it!!!

Should have been open yesterday to, but was not.... 

City cows....

My first squat!

Mocha time :)

Shopping...

Ride back!

Erik number 8...

Gerry number ten, Jeff missed photo up but number 13 (the luck continuous)

My number :)

Update ...

...... Great day but had hoped the trip to airport resulted in a bike and some cloths so I could properly get ready for race start and even spin the legs a bit. It is now in China and we cross fingers for tomorrow night. I'm probably really smelly by now (everyone is too nice to tell me) so tomorrow I'll be joining Jeff in some shopping to at least put on some clean cloths and hope luggage and bike arrives in the evening. That means it will be a after midnight bike assembly and race prep. Should still all work out. 

Other than airport trip, met a few more people that will be doing the race, opted for a plain rice and naan bread dinner and an massage of type I've never experience; a little lady stepping on me and pulling me in all directions! 

Happy luggage search!

My missing luggage :(

Kathmandu, Nepal...

...day 1.

Just awesome! Got a few hours sleep in comfy beds, even had visitors in room without noticing (thanks for photo proof, a little creepy behavior). Great breakfast and awesome coffee shop visit. Met Aayman and his friends at the bike shop, thanks Santo for sim card help. A local rider in full on Norway kit stopped in, spoke great Norwegian and will be racing.
Lunch seems great!
So far Ive avoided the squat down WC's so really this place is just awesome! And Jeff got first hand experience of their relaxed views on personal space.

Hope for bikes and luggage to arrive tonight and all will be great.

Happy Riding (tomorrow we hope)