Day 16 - Mishaidi 101 kms - " Jacquie no longer a Virgin " !

The beautiful evening we'd spent taking in a full moon while indulging in after dinner deserts was washed away from our memory as we trudged back down the hill from Ping An to our bikes in torrential morning rain.














From here it was back down the steep switchbacks we'd climbed yesterday taking great care with the very slippery road conditions.

After nearly 2 hours we were finally at the start point of the days100 km ride !

The day didn't start too well as a steady drizzle accompanied us on a busy road with buses and trucks as we cimbed 18 kms to our first summit point

The descent in the traffic following was treacherous with the Chinese habit of driving on the wrong side of the road when overtaking slow vehicles causing some riders great concern !
Marysia was very lucky at one point to regain control when her bike skidded on an oil patch with a bus fast approaching - thankfully she recovered with both Kev and the nearby Romanian judge  scoring Marysia 9/10 for creative content !

Off the busy highway we headed backwaters on a lovely potholed country road that combined with a beautiful concrete section took us to our lunch stop where the steamy sun finally appeared
After lunch the ride got even better with a stunning 10 km downhill that brought into sight our very first limestone Karsts !

Stopping to reassemble we were admonished by a military vehicle for being outside a Chinese military establishment - we were in trouble until the lovely Mel smiled at the occupants getting us out of 10 years in solitary !

After a final climb we arrived at our 1960's resort at 5.30 p.m. With Jacquie elated (& exhausted) after having completed her first 100+ km ride - an exceptional effort by a very determined lady !
Even the "Vivster" had secured a personal best  with this trip being the longest one she has ever done - well done Viv !

We checked in to our 1/2 star guest house and set about hanging out our wet gear - Kevs priority instead was to dominate our clothes line with his wet cross word sheets !

Harro and Andrew became our cultural attaches for the evening mixing it with some holidaying Chinese who kindly invited them over to share drinks on their table - Henley was sent over to take a few photos but instead was forced into a rice wine sculling contest - (his photography effort consequently suffered !)

With only 3 cycling days left we head into the city of Guilin tomorrow after a welcome short days ride !