The Wobbling Sprocket

The following is an excerpt from Adrian Downie’s blog.  The kid in our profile pic is located between Yuksom and Tashiding Monastary…I remember that area well since that is where I had to re-buy my lost gps back from some other kids who had found it (they thought is was a cell phone)!  When we go back, we are going to do our best to try and find this kid and get him a NEW bike!

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On the way down I encountered a couple wearing lycra and carrying bike helmets. They were Bob & Chantal, on a daytrip from Yuksom (my next destination). It’s still pretty amazing to encounter cyclists here and once I’d persuaded them I was cycling as well (as I’d left my bike at the guesthouse) we discussed our routes – they were going the opposite way round without the benefit of my cycle guidebook, so some of the climbs were more of a surprise to them – I’m not sure if this would have been a good or bad thing – it might be nice not to wake up with the feeling of dread I’ve had on some of the tougher days.

The next day I reluctantly moved on. This was another pleasant ride – the last two have both been much shorter distances, as where possible I’m splitting journeys when there’s anywhere nice to stay enroute. These are much more enjoyable as I feel I can take my time and stop whenever I like, without worrying about what time I’ll arrive. There was, as usual plenty of climbing, but mixed in with long downhills. On the way I encountered these kids with their homemade bicycle, which made me feel quite guilty – I tried to think if I had any spare bike part I could give them, but couldn’t think of anything. I suspect the recent mountain bike race may have been through these villages as the kids are all very excited to see bicycles.

On the way I bumped into Chantal waiting by the roadside. Bob had lost his GPS somewhere on the way and had been forced to retrace his steps to try and find it. Eventually he reappeared having had to buy it back from some kids who’d found it, which cost him 300 rupees. The kids must have been very pleased with this. I then passed a waterfall which seemed to be inhabited by some slightly terrifying Lord of the Flies style children who shrieked manically at me. I decided to move on before they could climb down to the road as they were a bit frightening.

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This is even better.  Adrian just sent me this pic which shows the spot on the road where he ran into the Sikkimese Bikesters.  I know about where this is: