Day 43. Monday. July 4.

Sara -Ozek  to Kapchagay Bush Camp 27.

Distance:  96 km

Cumulative Distance: 4744 km

Time: 3 hrs 25 min

Speed:  27.9 km/hr

Feet Climbed today: 1155

Cumulative Climb: 94,179  ft 

AHR (Average Heart Rate) 112 bpm

Punctures so far: 2.     

Altitude tonight:  2475 ft.

Today being July 4th I’m thinking of our American grandchildren, Saoirse, Oisin and Eimear. And since Eimear has just taken off on her bike without stabilisers, it's a big day for her. Now we’ll be able to take off on these adventures together, Mom, Dad, Saoirse, Oisin and newly graduated Eimear.

Last evening as I returned to tent ( through the giant thistles) the sky started filling in and the night had the steady pitter-patter of rain on the flysheet. Wind was negligible so all remained calm. Still, it was difficult to fall off to sleep thinking of what might happen. Showers came and went, trains hooted and tooted through the night but I did succeed in getting a few hours slumber. No major wetting occurred but breaking camp at 4 am was a little messier than usual. At least it wasn't raining at that stage. Breakfast time was dry and all got away by 5.20.

The road for today was perfect till almost end. It is a motorway in construction and for some stretches we had the right hand side to ourselves. Very little ascent today so progress was rapid. I started out a while after Mike and Frieder but caught up to them by the 25 km mark. Morning was dark and dull with rain threatening from the front so rain-gear was on from an early stage. It never got too heavy but when moving at speed even light rain hits the face hard.

Today is Mike’s last full day of riding (he finishes at Almaty) as tomorrow is short and will finish with a convoy into the city. So, we wanted to send him off with a good speedy day. We careered down gradual slopes at 40+ km/hr with good run offs at the end, sometimes even faster. On the flat we rotated and kept moving at over 30 km/hr on the flat. Passed many of so-called stronger riders announcing that we were doing a team time trial.

Ahead to the left appeared the peaks of Tien Shan in Kyrgyzstan sparkling in the  sunlight at high altitude. As we’re approaching Almaty all signs are in Roman and Cyrillic letters. Also lay-bys on this road all have ramps where motorists or truckers call roll up to change oil for the road ahead. Good idea! And bus stops with shelters indicate support for public transport.

Lunch was at 69 km on a slip road off the highway. We were the second group in at 7.50. An early lunch! The shelter of the canopy was welcome for the sandwiches.

Back on the highway, I led our group of three to our exit at 85 km where the orange flagging tape appeared. From here we backtracked  almost 10 km on minor roads to tonight’s campsite. Thus, I reckoned it was to be something special as these 10 km have to be made up tomorrow morning. I had hoped for an official campsite with shower block etc but all we got was the same old story. Camp where you wish in the long grass, rushes. It was near the lake but with rain still falling it was less than inviting.

 The three of us had finished in style with 28 km/hr average till the turn off.  Frieder and I carry on for a further 10 days till Osh in Kyrgyzstan. I checked with the lads if they’d be interested in booking a room in the nearby hotel (600m) but no takers. Rain had eased and so I parked the bike and erected the tent.

No sooner had I got it up (9.30) than the rain returned. I crept inside, changed and lay down saying that this shower will pass. No way.  By 11.30 I was having regrets and then finally decided to cut losses, pack up and head up to the hotel. I left the tent (and some wet cycling clothes) there and trudged up to the hotel, bag on back.

Checked in at 50 Euro for a room including lunch and dinner and breakfast (too late for our departure). Couldn't lose considering the shower, shave, drying, charging iPads etc and a bed. Think I made a good choice, even if it was a bit late.

I relished these comforts, had the set lunch and in late afternoon returned down to the campsite to pack up tent etc.

Only about 8 had opted to tent for the night. And now ready for the hotel dinner at 8 pm. Probably will be different from the camp dinner. I felt that TDA could well have put us all up in this hotel for the night costing them a net 20 Euro or so. How well do they value us?

We’Lloyd all report down to camp in the morning for breakfast at 5 and hit for Almaty. I’m really looking forward to the double Rest Day in this, the largest city in Kazakhstan and the transportation hub. Unfortunately, we’ll be saying goodbye to four riders but welcoming four more, one from Ireland.

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