May 24, 2025
24May2025
I woke up this morning slightly nervous about the day that lay ahead. It wasn't the thought of the climbing today that made me a tad apprehensive, but the thought of climbing under a blue sky with no opportunity for shade. So, to make things slightly easier I left early after a self made porridge, fruit and coffee breakfast. Sure enough the climb began almost immediately after leaving Argren and I was sweating within 10 minutes. The beauty of climbing is a real sense of quick progress under one's own human power, and of course stunning views. Today was no exception in both respects. The mountain scenery was spectacular and the distant snow capped peaks watched over me as I inched my way up towards Sarydala, where the road turned right and immediately rammed up to a consistent average 8% gradient for the next 14km. The heat was not as bad as I expected due to the cool breeze blowing at altitude. I stopped twice to snack and hydrate, and all went well. Overall I was pleased with today's climb and my consistent and sustainable pace throughout the day. Just before the summit of today's climb, I passed through 2 tunnels. I was stopped at the first one by some military personnel who watched me delete the photos I took of the tunnel entrance, under their instruction. One of the soldiers also deleted some of the photos I had taken of the switchbacks on the way to the summit. I was disappointed, but kept smiling so they would let me carry on unencumbered, which they did. Ed and I reached Xasan Samovar Chaikanna together, where we set up our tents and had dinner at a nearby restaurant. Ed has decided to fly back to London from Osh, so we will be seeing a lot more if each other in the next few days - not a bad thing at all. With hot porridge on the cards for breakfast tomorrow, it was time to get some sleep and recharge.
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Today's ride: 69 km (43 miles)
Total: 1,878 km (1,166 miles)
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