Day 9. Wednesday. May 25.

  Sajnsand to Bush Camp (Dalanjargalan)

Distance:  156 km

Cumulative Distance: 964 km

Time: 7 hrs 45 min

Speed:  20.1 km/hr

Feet Climbed:  2151

Cumulative Climb: 19051 ft 

AHR (Average Heart Rate) 115 bpm

Punctures: 2.     

Altitude tonight: 3730 ft.

Off on the bike again after a Rest Day. The dawn broke clear with negligible wind but forecast of strong headwinds in the afternoon. Had a good look at the rising sun before hitting off on this 3 day stint to Ulaanbaatar.

Just out of Sajnsand we crossed the rail tracks in time and had a close up of this monster , the Trans Mongolian, as she passed by. Rob didn't make it and had to wait behind a 700 m train till it trundled past. Once it passed we could see it disappearing into the distance ahead.

Off we head into the Gobi again and a similar scene awaits at the top of every rise. The early morning sun threw shadows across the road in these pleasant conditions.

Another mighty gate ahead. The Mongolians are great for an imposing gate on the highway. We had to stop for another photo. And just beyond the police were keeping a close eye on the behaviour of all cyclists.

The condition of the roadways excellent and traffic was minimal. Very little in the way of plant growth and only a very odd animal. Also only a sign of habitation at very rare spots. Definitely wouldn't be troubled by neighbours.

The first 44 km was pleasant in wind terms and blue skies were up ahead. Haven't seen them for a while. For this stretch I cycled mostly alone and enjoyed the solitude. At 44 km a sidewind blew up coming in from the right. I spotted a group in the distance ahead, a group of 5. I caught up to avail and contribute to the rotation. We split into two groups of 3 and continued on till the wind direction changed around Lunch Stop at 84. We rode in echelon rotating every Km always seeking out that optimal shelter spot behind the leader. So 1 km of taking the wind and 2 km of a break.

Animal life today consisted of camels and goats. The camels crossed the road just ahead (about 30 of them). Not cosmetically endowed and you could smell them from a distance. These seemed to be wild, no sign of any herder or enclosure nearby. One in particular, the big brown one seemed to be the boss and decided when the group should move on.

From 84 to 150 km we cycled on into a slight headwind. The trains passed by on the left (the line was within sight all day) and we kept heading for those nice clouds ahead.

At 150 km (of the 157 scheduled) all changed, changed utterly. That headwind that we had been coping comfortably with turned angry. We could see it causing a local sand storm ahead. At this stage I was in lead position and the sudden blast stopped all in our tracks; the bike wouldn't move forward and all had to dismount for a short while till the wind eased a bit. For those last 5 km it put us to the pin of our collar to reach 8 km/hr and sometimes even less.

The final 3 km must have taken us half an hour. We could see the camp on the slope ahead but it was very slow in getting any closer.

Mike Hennessy, Frieder and I pulled into camp together at 3 pm and celebrated accordingly. Hot soup awaited us in the kitchen tent and was relished.

Next was to get the tent erected in this wind. It wasn't easy but people clubbed together for the task. At least it wasn't raining. Sinea, the leader of our Mongolian transport crew helped me and I used my Mongolian, ’boya-la’ to thank him. He appreciated it.

So my tent here looks out on just part of the Gobi, with all tents with their backs to the wind.

Had a double helping of a great meal, Mark our chef has arrived, and just a few minutes ago, the last rider, Ruth, arrived on 5 hours after us. She got the reception of a celebrity for completing the day. Some other riders took the truck from various places along the road.

The wind is still blasting away and blowing a little light fine sand right through the tent. Out here on this bleak hillside in the Gobi, I can still get reception and the blog goes up.

The same, 150 km,  again tomorrow to shorten the road to Ulaanbaatar.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.