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After a short flight from Chengdu our group arrived at the airport of Linzhi. The trip was organized by SERK from Beijing (Shannon Buffton) www.serk.cc . The riders are from Australia, England, Wales, Germany and Malaysia.
During the flight we had a incredible view on the first really high mountains which stitch through the clouds
Right out of the airport we could feel how strong the sun is on 3000m. Even the temperature was not so high, the sun kept us warm.
Our guide (Getzi) and the drivers were already waiting for us and we received the Tibetan prayer scarf as a welcome present.
After building up the bikes, we did a first ride. (26km at 3000m)
The airport in Linzhi
Everyone received a greeting scarf (Khata)
Warmup ride on the first day - getting used to 3000m
Yarlung Tsangpo River - one main stream in Tibet and later in Bangladesh and India
Day 2 Milin - Langxian
102.9 km
922m of climbing
Start in Wolong Zhen along the Yarlung Tsangpo river to Langxian. The Yarlung Tsangpo river is the longest and biggest river in Tibet. We are riding through the green valley up and down beside the powerful river. We are still west ob Lhasa, nearly no tourists are on this side of Tibet. Unfortunately the beautiful landscape was sometimes interrupted by constructions for the high speed train to Lhasa. An incredible amount of bridges and tunnels are currently under construction.
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The SERK-van is ready with all the bikes
Pylons on the mountain to supply the construction sides
First flat of the tour
Flooded roads
Scenery is still a bit like the European Alps
Day 3 Gyaca - Shannan
110km
980m of climbing
The third day on over 3000m, today starting at about 3300m and end at 3700m Exhausting day on the bike. The route is still following the Yarlong river, the ups and downs create 980m of climbing. The nature is still very green and looks a bit similar to the European Alps. We saw monkeys along the route, which I didn't expect in Tibet. The constructions for the high speed train are also in this area and destroy a lot of the scenery After 70km I jumped back to the first the group, I feel exhausted for the first time, which result in 18 hours headache. The heart rate is about 20 beats lower than normal. My 160 heart rate feels like my maximum.
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Lhasa Beer - no drinking the first days during acclimatization
Yaks on the road
Cows, sheeps, goats and yaks are the dominating animals here
A new bridge in the background
the first snow on the mountain tops
awesome roads through the valley
impressive bridge under construction
more construction before reaching the destination
Day 4 Shannan - Samye
37km
290m of climbing
Easy and short ride with a first small climb. Sand dunes are covering the area and the mountains are less green. After the ride we visit the Samye Monastery. Not many foreigners are traveling in the east of Lhasa, so we are a real attraction for the locals. The headache of the day before is still there. The sleepless nights before makes it hard to recover. Because the day after is a very though one, I decide taking Diamox/Glaupax. (it supports faster acclimatization).
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Climb of the day
Yarlong river
Sand dunes
top of the climb with prayer flags
The Samye Monastery and its main building
The Stupa in Samye
the locals are very interested in our bikes
Day 5 Khampa La Pass - Nagarze
88,8km
1270m of climbing
The climb to the Khampa La Pass is the first hard climb of the tour. 23km long and 1182m of climbing. The tough climb was rewarded with the stunning view over the blue Yamdrok lake. The Yamdrok lake is also an attraction for Chinese tourists. The altitude after the lake is very high, so most of the tourist are heading back to avoid altitude sickness. Our sleeping altitude after this day is 4500m, so it is about 800m higher than last night. We are prepared for a tough day and a sleepless night. After the pass we were riding along the lake with partly headwind and short rain. Good teamwork brought us to our destination, a small village without tourism and hotels.
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the climb up to Khampa La
the climb up to Khampa La
Yamdrok lake, what a beauty!
riding along the lake - observed by a yak. My favorite picture of the tour
the only day with a bit rain - a prayer tent alson the Yamdrok lake
Day 6 Nagarze - Gyantse
102,2,8km
870m of climbing
The first pass over 5000m on Day 6: Kalurong Pass
A cold start in Nagarze at 4400m elevation, the sun is out but everyone has their winter gear on today. The snow covered top can already be observed from the start point. We had to ride up the Kalurong pass to 5039m elevation and it was likely to be cold up there. Last night was probably our shittiest accommodation here in Nagarze, the town looks a bit like a war zone from all the construction. No sealed roads in this town (yet). At least we had hot water, wifi and warm beds. After breakfast at 8am, we were on the bikes at 10am. Amazing views at 5000m altitude and the way up the pass, with the Karola glacier next to the road (7000m). From there a very scenic 70km downhill to our next hotel in Gyangze at 4000m altitude.
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Despite the sun, it was a cold start
Snow on the mountain top, landscape is changing again. Less green, coming closer to the moon landscape
Beautiful mountains in the back
Even close to 5000m, we can still find yaks along our way. The plants are getting less, but it seems still enough to eat for the yak
This guy is riding from Xi'An to Mt.Everest. He is riding already since more than 40 days. We met him on 3 days, since we had the same route
The glacier of a 7000m mountain. The comfort station didn't provide any comfort (just a toilet). The pass was windy and cold
Prepared with warmer cloth for the long decent. Temperature was about 5°C at the pass
The descent, nearly no traffic at this area.
Short rest at the river. Changing cloth after it got warmer
Ruins along the lake, good picture spot
Endless roads
Our daily laundry routine
Day 7 Gyantse - Shigatze
96km
84m of climbing
A fast route today without any climbing. Slightly descending from 4000m to 3800m. Some of us tried to get a good speed for the first kilometer and reached an average speed of 40.8km/h for 40km.
We arrived earlier in Shigatse, Tibet’s second largest city and home to the Tashilhunpo Monastery, traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lama.
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Short visit of the old town of Gyantse. Unfortunately some old buildings got replaced by new ones
Gyantse Dzong or Gyantse Fortress is one of the best preserved fortress in Tibet.
After a very fast start of the day we regrouped after 70km
Harvest of barley is nearly done
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447
Day 8 Shigatze - Tingri
76,8km
1170m of climbing
After breakfast at 7am, we hit the road and drove about 2 hours west from Shigatse to our starting point outside Lhatse. Including a death defying mountain pass full of trucks, cars overtaking on blind corners, etc. These Tibetans are crazy drivers. On the bike it was a relatively short day of 78km, but we started with the massive Gyatso La pass... 23km long at average 5% gradient. What made this hard was the altitude once again: we started at 4100m and the pass topped out at 5248m, the highest on this trip. Gyatso La is also the highest point on the Friendship Highway between China and Nepal. The first 10km felt OK, but then we had a stiff headwind all the way to the top. One of the hardest days on the bike. From there it was a long and bumpy 55km descent to Tingri at 4300m. Tingri is often used as a base by mountain climbers preparing to ascend Mount Everest from the north side. Tomorrow is a very early start for our final ride in Tibet to Mt Everest North Base Camp.
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On the way to Lhatse: the barley harvest. Popular for tourist to watch
No machines
Lady in red, talking pictures of the harvest
One of the drone shots
At that moment everything was still ok
Stronger headwind made this climb to an enemy. no switchbacks, straight up. the hardest and highest climb
Prayer flags and the entrance to the Mt. Everest National Park ( Qomolangma )
Took out my winter jacket. The pass was beautiful but cold.
Day 9 Everest base camp
95km
1670m of climbing
Our final day started very early at 4am, breakfast at 4:30am and then a short drive to our starting point outside Tingri. We first had to go through a military checkpoint as well, getting all our passports checked. Reason being that we would ride in Mt Everest Protection Zone...the Chinese military is making sure no one escapes across the border to Nepal. It would be a treacherous journey across the Himalayas though. Anyway, we were on the bikes at 5:55am and ready for the day’s 90km ride to Mt Everest Base Camp (north side in Tibet). Yes the road there is fully sealed. The ride involved 2 climbs above 5000m. First was the 20km ascent of Kya Wu Lha pass up to 5198m... an amazing climb of 42 switchbacks. We climbed it in complete darkness, with only our bike lights and the full moon to guide us. It was 3°C when we started and -3°C at the summit. Amazing sunrise view of Everest and its neighbours from up there. Then a 32km descent back to 4000m, negotiating 48 switchbacks. Quite a road the Chinese have built here. And finally a gradual 38km climb to Mount Everest base camp at 5200m altitude. We first stopped for lunch at Rongbuk monastery, before going through one more military checkpoint and then a final 4km ride to base camp. What an amazing trip this was.
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Preparing the bikes at 5:45am. 3°Celcius and full moon
Riding up in the darkness. 21km and 42 switchbacks
1hour 50minutes later: Sun is rising
At the end of the climb, the picture cannot tell how beautiful this sun rise was, even the temperature dropped to -3°
Arriving at the summit with an amazing view over the Himalaya range and his majesty
Here he is: Mount Everest, bigger than anything else. Still 70km to go...
... with a 30km descent and about 50 switchbacks
An impressive road the Chinese built here
We had to stop for some pictures
The descent was terrible cold. Shortly after this picture was taken, Mike Yamashita, a famous National Geographic photographer jumped out of his car to take some pictures
Surrounded by local kids while a short brake
Reached the bottom of the descent. the last 40km is uphill again
we are coming closer and closer to the basecamp
Riding towards the Mt. Everest
5km before reaching the end, i had a puncture. Who else can say, he changed his tube at Mt. Everest?
