Lake Manasarova to Paryang Back to dirt again in the morning it was mostly good stuff but the occasional sand. The major hit a sand hole at speed on fast gravel how the hell he stayed on - the seat on the bike must have been five feet in the air at its apex and the Majors bum was at least two feet above that still he stayed on which is what counts. He did slip of a little later but much slower over a mixture of large rocks and sand overall given his and Colin's ...

Ger to Lake Manasarova Mostly tarmac so no dramatics. With my illness I've been feeling sorry for myself so I hadn't noticed that Max had also been ill and unlike me was getting worse. I finally noticed at lunchtime when we stopped for char that he couldn't get off the bike I'm familiar with that feeling so I know when you've reached that stage you're near the end of your tether. Kevin had a word and Max, being a plucky chap, said he was fine but when we got to ...

Duoma to Ger Definitely better this morning still got a bit of a residual but that's all. You have to see this place to believe it, I don't really like it; it's dirty and cold and hard it's as far away from civilisation as I've ever been but it's beauty is awe inspiring you can't help but be impressed. We had a couple of offs today the usual story - soft sand - the snag was the road was quick between bad patches so of course the offs hurt. Mark was the first dow...

Reed Willow Beach to Duoma Felt better this morning so persuaded Kevin to let me ride I did ok for most of the morning then we ended up over a 5200 metre pass at -3.5 degrees which put me back a stage. The riding would be fantastic if I wasn't ill but with the migraine and seeing dots in front of my eyes it makes it hard to enjoy it. When we got to Duoma the guy who owned the hotel had gambled it away and so it was closed Kevin managed to find a smart woman who'...

Mazar to Reed Willow Beach Still ill today, I've taken some Diamox that Max kindly let me have - that's several large beers I owe him - I'm not sure it's altitude sickness it feels more like a standard migraine but whatever the cause it's becoming a big problem - the lads have been great helping me out with fuelling the bike and sorting out somewhere to sleep in the homestay etc. Just in case you thought we were staying in a golf club "Reed Willow Beach&quo...