“Dust” Camp

As the sun sets, with food in our bellies, some coldness in the air and dust billowing everywhere we have aptly named this location the ‘Dusty Camp’. Actually, we are surrounded by grape vines and vegetable gardens. After a dinner of rice, cabbage, raisins and duck (Wimpie is cooking as Miles takes a well-deserved break living it up in Turpan), no one is too bothered. Today, after quaffing one last coffee at the Turpan Hotel ( freshly brewed from a real coffee machine!), the group departed and slowly, gradually, climbed uphill and out of a valley. There was an annoying headwind that blew neither strong nor weak but just enough to annoy you! Despite the fatigue and the frustration, the road was smooth, the sun was shining and, with the exception of the odd vehicle getting a wee bit close, it was still a great day’s ride! Lunch was a busy affair with the lunch truck drawing a crowd of interested folk who had turns riding bikes, trying on helmets and being surprised (and somewhat bemused) at what we were eating (I mean, what is wrong, with 2 minute noodles and lettuce, tomato and mystery meat sandwiches?). For those that decided to have ‘second’ lunch (as Jan and Jack Gourley refer to it), we were treated to noodles, seafood and chicken. It tasted delicious and made us love the chilly, garlic and ginger combination. It was even better with a beer to wash it down. This afternoon there was the chance to spend time with a local family munching on delicious sweet grapes from the vine and riding through the dirt roads of a local village en route to camp tonight. As Phil, the bike mechanic, works late into the evening, tired, dusty and weary riders have made their way towards their tents to get enough zzzzzzzz’s in preparation for the 140km day tomorrow. Pray for a tailwind!