Our goal today was Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the highlights of the trip and it didn't disappoint. 

The morning was kind to us with a moderate downhill and some pretty scenery as we rode away from White Water Terrace. 

Later in the morning, we started the climb to the foothills of Haba Mountain, one of the major peaks in this area and we were rewarded for our effort with a massive downhill that took us up over 60kph. The views of the mountain in the distance were also amazing. 

After lunch, we continued along along a relatively level part of the route near, still near 3,000 meters, but about 30km into the ride we started to descent for a full 15km maintaining speeds of over 40kph taking us down into Tiger Leaping Gorge at an elevation of only 1,800 meters. 

The view of the gorge in the distance was something I will never forget and a view that everyone should see once in their life. Truly amazing.

Our jaws stayed dropped as we rode toward the gorge with the sheer cliffs growing higher and higher, towering nearly 1,000 meters above us with the river nearly the same distance below. 

Another 12km of comfortable riding allowed us to enjoy the views before we arrived at our first (and very recommended) hotel of the trip - Bridge Cafe (橋咖啡), which provides an incredible view of Upper Tiger Leaping Gorge with a full view of the river and cliffs. 

Riding Stats:
Leg 1: (30.21km, 2h32m, 11.9km/h)
Leg 2: (42.64km, 2h46m, 15.4km/h)

After our first day of riding, we were actually not as tired as we'd expected and got to bed at a good time. 

The only drawback was that none of us had camped for a long time and the uneven ground and freezing temperatures made for little sleep. 

But we were up the next day ready to tackle the mountains once again! After a breakfast of hard boiled eggs and biscuits, we climbed out of our campsite and started the day with a massive set of uphill switchbacks. Luckily this was followed by really fun downhills - pretty much setting the theme for this ride!! 


We arrived at Baishuitai (White Water Terrace) at around 2pm, debating whether to mount horses and go to the top or not. In the end, we decided to go ahead and do it!!


The locals that rented out the horses were very reluctant to let Dom and Wang Feng ride the horses, but after about an hour of reassurances, the brought the first horse down to try. 


Wang Feng was the first to try it out and having never been on a horse (before or after being in a chair), he was very nervous. He had a hard time keeping his balance and in the end decided not to go up. 


Dom, how had ridden a horse once since his accident, was more daring and after feeling out the horse decided to go all the way to the top. 


The guides (about 10 of them - all women) were with us the entire time and insisted that Josh stay right by the horse just in case Dom should lose his balance. 


The views at the top were amazing and well worth the ride up. Going back down was smooth and Dom became more confident and the horse more comfortable. By the end, they were best buds!


By the time we got down, it was around 5pm and we debated trying to get a little more riding in, but ultimately decided to camp in the parking lot of a hotel (inaccessible) for the night and have a decent meal instead. 


The concrete made for a much better surface than the ground the previous night and we all slept much more comfortably. This was good too, because we were now behind in the distance that we needed to cover and would have to work hard to make that up. 


Riding Stats:
Leg 1: (47.81km, 3h09m, 15.1km/h)

Our second day of the trek was our first day of real riding, heading out of Shangri-la and into the mountains. 

Very much Tibetan country - we passed by a white stupa decorated with traditional colorful prayer flags as we reached the top of our first hill. 

The countryside was filled with the thick-walled, incredibly solid Tibetan homes and farms, surrounded by a mix of pine forests and arid highlands. 

Our first stop was Potatso National Park (普達措國家公園) where we had some lunch and recharged. 

The axle we made held up well and there were some adjustments we had to make to the bikes, but generally riding was smooth with only a few bigger hills.

We passed through villages that haven't changed for generations - people in traditional clothing, fences and buildings made from local materials, yaks and mountain goats in the road and amazing vistas. 

Camp was at an amazing spot on the land of a herder. We tucked our tents under the eave of his barn and Haige started a fire. By the time we caught up, it was time to eat and we had a meal of dried beef, instant noodles, eggs and sausages. 

The only downside of the night was that temperatures dropped down below freezing and some snoring that kept Haige and some of the team awake...but all par for the course! 

Riding Stats:
Leg 1: (23.11km, 1h33m, 14.8km/h)
Leg 2: (30.1km, 2h16m, 13.2km/h)