Mutiny in Heaven

"There's a mutiny in Heaven
Oh Lord, I get down on my knees
I get down on my knees and start to pray"

Three days to go until I board Emirates Flight 12 from London Gatwick to New Delhi via Dubai. Then Jet Airways Flight 264 to Kathmandu where I shall be meeting all people involved in our Lhasa-Kathmandu cycle ride.

The original itinerary has already been changed twice. Once I hear by force of new group visas requirements to enter China. Then a second time after some emailing amongst some members of the group, including Dermot Ward, the proprietor of Redspokes, the tour organiser, where me and others voiced our concerns about acclimatisation. We now will be cycling four days in Nepal prior to flying to Lhasa but unlike the first revision, maxing at 2000m, the new route should take us above 3000m. Given the circumstances it looks like a fair compromise.

The thread became quite funny and tense at times. The camp was clearly divided. The UK based contingent wanting maximum time at altitude while our Antipodean cycling counteparts were happy with the itinerary change to include some time in the supposedly picturesque Kathmandu Valley. To be honest, I expect every Nepalese nook and cranny to be picturesque, as well as Tibet, it better be, that's the way it's layed out in my head, otherwise I'll sue Redspokes till their last puncture patch haha.

Finally comrade Kerry suggested we all go shopping in Dubai before typing some harsh keystrokes aimed at our dissonant voices, specially I believe towards comrade Alvis. I figure she deemed he was going a bit off-piste with his alternative acclimatisation plans - hiking instead of cycling.

I can't really blame him. I just heard news from one member of the Redspokes group that did the India Hymalaias tour from Manali to Leh. The word is only two from the original group managed to cycle the whole route. One I met in the cycle shop - we have a common friend, Oli, the shop manager - before he left. I haven't had a chance to meet the guy after he came back. Oli says he ran into some rain - which made the sandy roads hard going - and lots of head wind.

I've been above 5000m once in Bolivia. Above 3800m once in the Alps. I have a feeling that we're heading for trouble in Tibet. This trip will be the longest time I would have spent above 4000m. I'm expecting to lose about 5kgs in weight. Currently weighing in at about 92kgs.

I picture a group of weakened riders, and the wind blowing us around, and the sun baking us, and the night freezing us. That beautiful scenery does not come for free.

Will we huddle together and take turns in the cutting wind? Or will it be too hilly to work together? Will all drop like flies or are they strong riders? As Tim Krabeé wrote, "You can tell good riders by their faces, bad riders by their faces too - but that only goes for riders you already know"

The Tibetan Plateau

Ever since I read Tintin in Tibet I wanted to visit Tibet. The nearest I got to Tibet so far is Bolivia, Tibet's South American counterpart I figure, althrough I've never been to Tibet. Anyway, I'll check that out.

I'll be travelling with Redspokes. I company that specialises in cycling tours in remote areas.

I still haven't decided on the bike. Tempted to go with a hybrid but met a guy who's doing a tour with Redspokes and we'll compare notes when he gets back.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to spending some time cycling on the Tibetan Plateau. That elevated part of the world - average altitude about 4500m.

Also looking forward to seeing Mount Everest with my own eyes.