| Location: | Lhasa |
| Mileage: | 9,400 |
It’s only a day of riding to Lhasa and an all tarmac one at that. It is also a timed check point road, meaning vehicles must not arrive at the next check point before a certain time or else they are fined. It is supposed to keep the speed down. The reality is all the vehicles pelt along as normal and then park up a mile or so before the checkpoint and wait until their allotted time. Ridiculous system! Luckily it does not apply to motorbikes. Aha!
We have planned three full days off in Lhasa and wondered if they was too much time to be off the bikes, but given the intensity of the past ten days everyone is relieved to have some rest. We also meet up with Max – Max was our only rider who due to altitude sickness had to be rushed to Lhasa for treatment and did not make Everest. He is gutted and is still not well enough to continue so his bike is trucked onto Beijing and he reluctantly has to fly home to recoup. It’s a sad moment for all when he leaves.
The others take the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Lhasa and the Potala Palace is on the top of everyone’s agenda.
Resting, checking bikes, doing laundry and catching up with loved ones at home also takes time. We are fully refreshed to start again. I’ve warned everyone not to let their focus slip. Getting off the Tibetan Plateau is as tough as anything they have done to date and the Sichuan-Tibet Highway is classed as one of the most dangerous roads in the world.
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