Day 6 - Leishan 42 kms

After a lateish breakfast to accommodate some of our late arriving group we boarded our coach for 3 hour journey through rural China to the start point of of our cycle Adventure at Zhou

It was certainly an eye opener as we drove past numerous instant high rise concrete towns / cities  being built in the countryside and currently largely deserted

Journey completed, lunch taken and bikes allocated (sadly for Andrew initially the wrong size) we set off about 2pm in hot steamy conditions straight into an energy sapping climb that rapidly took its toll.

Andrew only got about 200 metres before his chain broke while Jacquie's constant smile rapidly turned into a grimmace as she rapidly disappeared into bushes up the first climb with an urgent need that later turned into a bout of sapping Gastro !


With the support wagon rapidly filling up the heat also took its toll on Marysia who was still yet to recover from her bout of Beijing flu !
As for Sandler and Harro they lead the pack for most of the day relishing in the oppressive conditions which they described as just a normal day in Cairns !

In between drinking about 15 litres of water and looking at acres of tarmac there were sections of stunning scenery as we climbed out of the valley into the surrounding hills !

One more climb and a final descent saw us entering Leishan about 7.15 p.m. with the light beginning to fade as well as our remaining energy supply !


We had no sooner checked in and climbed our 4-6 flights to our rooms carrying our luggage and have a shower before it was time to have dinner and of course the obligatory well earned beer
The non cycling highlight for the day was our fascinating evening walk around town to see some of the beautifully lit buildings and /surrounds while mixing it with the locals in their night market / festival that included a line dance of Chinese style disco that included both Viv & Linton much to the applause of us would be "Macareenas" !
What a tough but rewarding first day !

Ps for friends and family all patients are currently recovering !