Sarahan. Tonight we stay in a hotel perched on the side of a hill with spectacular views over the valley. Today was a long day, and all that waving has exhausted me. 170km doesn't sound like much, but 60 of those were off-road on little more than a bumpy and muddy (grrrr!!) dirt roads. One of the guys has a cracked rib that he got from falling when a bus appeared from nowhere.
I managed to avoid my first oncoming bus overtaking another bus on a blind corner this afternoon; I was kind of expecting it. When there's a particularly narrow or dangerous looking stretch of road that's when you're most likely to see the phenomenon. Understand this reverse logic and you're half way to becoming an old hand on Indian roads. The other half will probably take a lifetime.
I'm learning to stay off the front brake and rely on the retardation from the surprisingly grippy rear end. The rear tyres are knobbly unlike those at the front, which explains why they grip (a relative term) in the mud unlike the front end.
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Although physically and mentally drained from today, I was sad that it ended so soon; I could have gone on for another 2hrs or more. Probably best that I didn't though.
After dinner and outside I can hear hammering. Remember the bike that went over the edge? Apparently the mechanics will rebuild it overnight and then they'll ride with us. Amazing! What hard working chaps they are. But for me it's bed, and I feel slightly guilty.
3 comments:
Very brave and a little bit crazy, mind those roads and head on vehicles.....The Red Strap
Looking at the veggies, reminds me so much of Pakistan.. I guess India isnt that different either! no poslished and cleaned veggies: they taste twice as better too!
So hopefully you have a lot of fun, looking forward to some good picture uploads from you, we Pakistanis cannot even go there, Lucky you!
Adeel
Enhance your story-telling by adding some descriptive-ness to the picturesque sceneries you surely must be encountering in your trails. And more picture too!
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