Day 9 (15-May-2011) Shaxi Village - Er Yuan

After tearful farewell to canine and feline critters, we embarked on very pleasant 38km gradual descent down the valley. In a change to the original itinerary, we then opted to become the first expedition to cycle an alternative route along back roads, rather than the main road, to Er Yaun. This alternative route involved having to ascend a daunting 1260m (4133ft) to the saddle separating the two valleys, along a 32km winding, and in some places very steep, uphill road, littered with pot holes.

Tackling this route would prove to be as much of a mental challenge as a physical one, given none had ever attempted a climb of this magnitude before, and with legs already quite exhausted from the cumulative exertion of the previous 7 days. To make matters worse, we also faced a strong head wind up the lower slopes, and heavy driving rain up the middle traverse.

But this was to be Simon’s day of triumph. Owing to a misunderstanding on group strategy, he found himself in front and alone, with no alternative but to continue the ascent solo, lest he succumb to potential hypothermia from the driving cold rain. That he managed to do so is a testament to his intestinal fortitude, and to accomplish this feat without stopping, arriving an hour before the rest of us, speaks volumes about his mental toughness also. The rest of us limped up in a more sedate manner, stopping every 5km to regroup and rest, eventually reaching the summit at 16:00hrs.

We then embarked on another exhilarating descent from the saddle down into the next valley, descending 845m (2772ft) in less than an hour. If anything, this descent was also the most difficult attempted to date, given that much of the road had been washed away, causing loss of traction on a number of occasions. Finally, when Simon’s bike was struck by yet another puncture, we opted to cover the final 18km to Er Yuan by bus, arriving at 18:30hrs. In total, we had cycled 88km, with many suffering from aching necks, shoulders, wrists and also tired legs as we jumped into the famous hot springs at the hotel.

Having foregone lunch during our epic ascent, we were also starving, and so while soothing aches and pains, we also scoffed several large packets of crisps, washed down with a few beers to anesthetise ailing body parts beyond the reach of any spa treatment. We then barely managed to consume dinner before sleep overwhelmed us all.