The Wobbling Sprocket

There have been a few tours where I felt like we were dancing rather than biking across the country (Laos especially).

Our tours have plenty of challenging biking, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t do other things.  Actually, it’s the other things that are the whole point of doing a bike tour  in another country! 

Sikkim (India) is on deck in October and it’s time to start getting into the swing of some of those other things.  You don’t actually have to be going to Sikkim to appreciate this. Here’s how:

1.  Go pour yourself a glass of wine (or something stronger)

2)  Relax

3) Turn up your speakers

4) and get IN THE MOOD.

5) If this doesn’t make you smile, there is always Backroads (yea Fede!), Trek Travel and Butterfield and Robinson.

Thanks Keith N for sending this!

Clara was signed up for Laos way back when and then work intervened and it didn’t work out for her.   However,  we knew she would eventually be back.  She is now.   She just signed up for  “The White Villages” of  Spain starting Sept 25.

Clara is a strong climber.   We know that because she often does “The Hills of Arlington” right here in Arlington VA.   That’s a good thing.  Spain is not all plains.   In fact, in Andalucia I don’t think there are any plains.  At least not a lot.

Clara M

There is one solo spot left for Spain on Sept 25 and there are two double occupancy spots left for Sikkim on Oct 17.  If interested in either one, it’s pretty much do it now…or wait a year or two.

Paolo and Fede came on the last Tour d’Indochine.   They were a blessing.    Good sports, great attitudes and game for whatever came their direction.  On Indochine, it can be a lot.

On top of that, they were from Italy.  We love it when Far and Away Cycling not only means cycling in places Far and Away, but also being with people who live Far and Away.   In our view, it doesn’t get any better.

Anyway, on Indochine it soon became apparent  Mr. Paolo could probably give Lance a run for his money.  Paolo is a fitness instructor and could ride like the wind.   He spoke less English than Fede, but he kept mentioning “Mongolian Challenge,  “Mongolian Challenge”.  We soon learned that he was using Indochine to further his training for the big test, The Mongolian Bike Challenge.

Well the Mongolian Challenge is on right now!   And Mr. Paolo is in the thick of the action.  And I mean really thick.   It seems today’s stage was canceled due to a sandstorm.

Mr Paolo is Number 35.  There is a tour tracker so people can follow along.  I haven’t seen pics of Paolo yet, but I’m looking and I am sure I will find some before this thing is over.

The Mongolian Challenge looks ridiculously hard.  120- 140 k per day with 200o or more meters of climbing in a race environment with time eliminations while camping.   Mr Paolo is probably missing the wonderful amenities of Kiu Kacham, Laos about now!!

At this moment, Mr. Paolo is in 23rd place out of 94 entrants and about 80 minutes behind the leader.

Here are some pics of Paolo (and Fede).

I am 100% sure that Paolo would love to hear from people.  Write a comment,  a Bravissimo!, a “go Paolo”, anything.  He is all the way on the other side of the world, but you can bet damn sure that I will make sure that he hears it.

Some pics from The Mongolian Challenge Website:

The start of the MBC. Mr. Paolo is here somewhere!

Wow, this looks pretty barren!

From Indochine:

Fede and Paolo at Tram Ton Pass

R to L: Paolo, Fede and Gwyn

Compared to MBC, Indochine probably is "child's play" for Paolo!

WHOO- HOOO, go Mr. Paolo!  You Rock!