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Tim's First for Tibet |  |
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| Cycling Firsts |
Due to the very nature of this most
remarkable and fascinating country, it was inevitable that a number of
unprecedented events would occur and notable achievements would be
reached within our short stay and passage through Tibet's central and
eastern territories. Some of them are astounding - particularly with
regard to the cycling, where the extreme altitude and their associated
effects bear testament to the benefit of a controlled ascent and a
proper period of acclimatisation as to what can be achieved. As it was,
the information we possessed on this most limiting and dangerous of
elements related almost exclusively to trekking and climbing thus
forcing us to best guestimate the maximum height we could safely climb
in a day when compared to the actual distances we felt at the time we
could comfortably travel. After all, essentially the tracks would be
flatter but it required more physical effort to pedal a laden bicycle
than to walk.
Other firsts are of a more personal nature which reflects not only the degree of bodily neglect I can afford myself but also the general standards of health and hygiene within the country. Hot water for example is contained in colourful thermos flasks which seemed almost inexhaustible, however outside of Lhasa, showers and anything that resembled a toilet as you and I know one was in the main out of the question. With the cold dry climate, locals did not appear to sweat much which was in stark contrast to the hard working cyclist who can be quickly transformed into a most unpleasant sight and smell! Lastly there are a certain number of random or miscellaneous firsts that could quite probably only be achieved in a country such as this. Tibet appears to hold a certain fascination for a lot of people - Richard Gere and my father to name but two (!) and as an outdoor enthusiast, I felt quite unconsciously drawn towards the magnificent Himalayan chain that stretches throughout the country and was more than a little disappointed that in my trip to India five years ago I was unable to visit due to the extremely complicated and changeable political situation that exists. This does not appear to have altered much, as I spent approximately ten months researching and dealing with the necessary companies and bureaucrats in our attempts to authorise access for this most guarded of regions as it transpired to be a long winded and unnecessarily frustrating experience. For example you are permitted to travel unassisted from Lhasa to Kathmandu but you are not allowed to pass along the same piece of road without procuring at some expense the services of a guide, driver and accompanying support vehicle in the other direction! I could therefore say that I understand or rather don't understand more than most the lengths to which you must go in order to gain access and travel within Tibet. Having completed our journey through this fabulous country, I can honestly say that all the set backs, repetitive requests, rejections and long distance communications have at times certainly tested my patience but have all been worth it in the end. I hope you appreciate, even if you are not entirely capable of sympathising or identifying with the ensuing list! |
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