Matty's report - Day 64 - 68 / 12 - 16
Posted by Matthew Mclauchlan on Monday, October 19, 2009
Under: Matty's reports
I'd like to say I coasted into Almaty, head high and legs strong, maybe whistling a tune, but that would be a lie...
The first day from Zharkent was alright; a slight head wind in the afternoon but mostly flat mind-numbingly boring road, the kind where you forget you're even moving at all. The second day was great riding; we started out early while there was still and managed 70km before lunch, including a bit of a canyon, while being helped out by a massive downhill run and tailwinds in the afternoon pushing our days hall to 137km...
The third day was a trial both physically and mentally; we started out a bit late because we camped last night and had to pack it all up, only to discover we had already acquired a stiff head wind at 8am (a foreboding sign). I was shattered as soon as I hopped on the saddle, feeling the effects of the two days previous, and some how managed to have two flat tires within the first hour of riding. We struggled through the morning's ride, making only about 45km, before I was thrown from my 'wheeled demon' by a stray piece of clothes hanger, making a mess of my chain and tire spokes. Towards the end of the ride, as we neared the final 30km to Almaty, I found myself involuntarily writing an open letter to my legs, willing them to keep chasing Cam's backlight with the promise of a hot shower and a soft bed upon arrival... The gods threw in another flatty for me within 2km of Almaty, just to make sure I knew how to replace'em, but we got here. Battle weary... 113km done.
Unfortunately, it looks like my journey ends here; money and time constraints are getting the better of me. But, if there's anything that I take from this trip, it's not that it's the 'Trip of a Life Time'; it's the first trip of many. Now that I know I can do it, my legs can take this kind've beating and still push me through tomorrow, I look forward to the next opportunity I get to have a 'Trip of a Life Time'
The first day from Zharkent was alright; a slight head wind in the afternoon but mostly flat mind-numbingly boring road, the kind where you forget you're even moving at all. The second day was great riding; we started out early while there was still and managed 70km before lunch, including a bit of a canyon, while being helped out by a massive downhill run and tailwinds in the afternoon pushing our days hall to 137km...
The third day was a trial both physically and mentally; we started out a bit late because we camped last night and had to pack it all up, only to discover we had already acquired a stiff head wind at 8am (a foreboding sign). I was shattered as soon as I hopped on the saddle, feeling the effects of the two days previous, and some how managed to have two flat tires within the first hour of riding. We struggled through the morning's ride, making only about 45km, before I was thrown from my 'wheeled demon' by a stray piece of clothes hanger, making a mess of my chain and tire spokes. Towards the end of the ride, as we neared the final 30km to Almaty, I found myself involuntarily writing an open letter to my legs, willing them to keep chasing Cam's backlight with the promise of a hot shower and a soft bed upon arrival... The gods threw in another flatty for me within 2km of Almaty, just to make sure I knew how to replace'em, but we got here. Battle weary... 113km done.
Unfortunately, it looks like my journey ends here; money and time constraints are getting the better of me. But, if there's anything that I take from this trip, it's not that it's the 'Trip of a Life Time'; it's the first trip of many. Now that I know I can do it, my legs can take this kind've beating and still push me through tomorrow, I look forward to the next opportunity I get to have a 'Trip of a Life Time'
In : Matty's reports