arctic-cycler.com

The sun was ‘a shining and the wind was ‘a blowing . The snow-capped mountains were our spectacular horizon companion in the morning and the evening. In between, we slogged into the wind over a 920m pass. Our tents are erected for the evening on the grass in the Coliseum-like sport stadium in Khashuri.

Early morning mountains

I am now the proud owner of a bike with new brake-pads. I have proved that my bike maintenance skills extend beyond changing a flat tyre. After reading horror stories of people coming down high passes in the rain without being able to stop, I thought, take the time to change the pads that were passed their prime.

I knew the climb was over 50km, and would rise to almost 1000m. The fierce headwind got to me, and I was exhausted, even before the climb had started in earnest. Sometime knowing what is ahead is more of a hindrance than a help.

Village shop

On the way up we passed numerous stalls selling pottery and statues of leopards. On the way down we passed numerous stalls selling a kind of raisin bread, and the pottery moulds used to bake them.

Georgian sweet bread

The descent into Khashuri was lovely, overlooking the valley with the high, snow capped mountains as a backdrop.

View over Khushuri

Church near Khashuri

We have created some interest setting up our tent in the sport stadium. The rugby team was practicing, then the young kids played soccer. A group of girls then dropped by and screamed. I’m sure we are featuring on Facebook (assuming the landline internet is better than the mobile internet).. ☺

Cooking at the stadium