So close to the highest peak on the planet

Location:	Dingri
Mileage:	8,700

It was a freezing cold night and today we are straight back on dirt roads. There’s also lots of road works going on and the detours get very sandy. We’ve already had a few offs in the sand and lucky escapes each time, so everyone treats the road with respect. But it’s slow going – only 160 miles today, averaging no more than 20 miles an hour.


We’re at another small village and tea house, so there’s no respite from all the dust by leaping into a hot shower – just plastic bowls again. Everyone is knackered from the concentration needed to ride today. Given the cold we just bed down in our bags, complete with clothing.


Road construction continues unabated for the next day and the riding is just as slow. Unlike back home, there are no helpful diversions, simply find your own way. The next day improves; the weather is good, the Himalayas start to come into view and the sun is shining. We finally make the junction with the Friendship Highway, where tarmac awaits! Michael so pleased he just kisses the ground. The Friendship Highway is newly paved – it’s the direct route to the Nepalese border.

We pass the turning for Mount Everest, but that’s for tomorrow. We have a whole day set aside to go to Base Camp and back. The team are buzzing. Mount Everest will be a huge milestone.