Kathmandu to Besisahar by car then onto Chamje by bike.
Departing Kathmandu at 4am for a 9am Besisahar arrival seemed like a sensible idea. However, the heavy traffic approaching Kathmandu via the steep and winding mountain road that was still intent on passing at each other at every opportunity made for something of a terrifying journey. No photos but the images of two approaching trucks overtaking a bus going uphill is an image that will forever be etched in my mind.
Into the monsoon
Besisahar and the end of the road
and so it begins.
10km/h? Shouldn't be a problem.
What I imagined was going to be a gentle first day of climbing along a 4wd road with a net gain of 600m of vert turned into a series of short sharp climbs and descents in a gear (32:18) which was totally inappropriate to the task at hand. I must have climbed around 2000m by the time I reached Chamje, the actual destination was Tal but mercifully some internal voice told me to accept the offer from a lodge owner to stop the night.
Rest, re-gear, relax.
32:21 for the remainder of the trip now.
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