Tibet

Impossible to describe the most fucked up two days of the entire trip. Still can’t believe we pulled this one off.

Mountains of Tibet.

Mountains of Tibet.

A single gear day. Head pounds at 25 km. Paranoid, we head south when we see army jeeps approaching. Meet the Bonn to Beijing jeep team for the first time

One tough Tibetian kid. He wore an earring and a bullwhip.

One tough Tibetian kid. He wore an earring and a bullwhip.

Checkpoints no problem, guards curious about dental floss. In Tingri fat cat tourists eat at expensive restaurant while we eat cheap, with the workers

Roadcrew.

Roadcrew.

Morning slog through 50 m mudhole. Meet Swiss couple on road for 2 years then climb hard to 5221m - highest point of the trip. Meet Hiro in Lhatze.

Don't know what to say about this one.

Don't know what to say about this one.

Hiro bonks early, seems afraid of me after I throw a shovel at a kid who grabs my bike. Camp with German tour group. I’m exhausted, l lose the shortwave.

Snow on the Tibetian plains. Low 20's F.

Snow on the Tibetian plains. Low 20's F.

Part with Alex in Shigake, wanting to take the old road to Gyantse. Rough road, rain pours. Roads flood, rising past axle level. Gyantse “Carpet Makers Resthouse”

Horseriding skills parade.

Horseriding skills parade.

Late start after lunch at Tashi. Bloated, slow and hurting. Horse festival Camp at small village where “pull my finger” joke entertains onlooking children

Outside Lahsa.

Outside Lahsa.

Sad horse.

Sad horse.

Watch military prepare for visit from important guy in small village. Look for truck ride to Namco Lake. Camp oh hilltop next to prayer flags.

Up and down through river valleys and across parallel mountain ranges. One theater replaces another. Convoys pass constantly, “OKI OKI”

Nakchu horse festival, Tibetans chase us through tent city. Meet southbound Japanese cyclist. Big sky, cool nights, we eat in tent bundled up.

Some of the dirtiest kids in the world. There was no food in this town.

Some of the dirtiest kids in the world. There was no food in this town.

117 km time 6:

Descend 250m in 6km to Amdo, ugly riverbed town. At rest stop guy pulls large knife on me. Shelter in work camp as hail pelts our bikes.