128km and 1150m climbing

Longest day, only 3 climbs but some really rough roads. Scabs – literally scabs – on multiple butts after today. Early mud bogs claimed some victims, including Leah, who was trying to hang on to a group as the peloton fragmented. No dice, try again next time. Long plateau with a head wind and a rainstorm, massive clumps of mud flying everywhere. Elbows out to be first wheel.

Leah finished looking like a bog monster (as naturally was drafting some of the bigger guys in the peloton across that plateau). Saw horses, cashmere goats, possibly a vulture, and our first real yaks of the trip. Showers FREEZING, food EXCELLENT. 2-person ger (score). Could have happily stayed another day.

For Hamish, PUNCTURE. Was bound to happen, tire had been a little soft in the morning (and for better or worse, he felt gooood.). After fighting to be head of the peloton through the torrential downpour over Paris Roubaix-grade stones (apparently this is how Mongolians “ improve” roads when they choose to do so – luckily big country/ small population so they haven’t gotten around to too many of these) – and really slick mud with bottomless puddles – Hamish made the key break only to have to stop and change his tire. It was, suffice it to say, not as efficient as it could have been (mix of canister, pump, swearing, and gesticulation). Net result, a 57K ITT to the finish, but only 7 mins lost on the front group (less than the time needed to change the tire). Effort likely came back on stage 5……

Hamish: 4:57:59

Leah: 6:18:23

Fastest: 4:50:00

Slowest: 9:19:00

2 person private ger and a very cold shower (and we had frogs and birds visit us in the night)