kassy Posted May 5, 2010 Posted May 5, 2010 So I've had a few set backs in the last few years with a lot of operations on my leg and put on a stack of weight. I used to do a lot of triathlon and loved running, and can't run anymore so have been in a bit of a rut. Recently my friend asked me to cycle from tibet across the himalayas via everest base camp to kathmandu... I interestingly agreed since I need to get out of the rut. Anyway, so started training 2 weeks ago, and also learning to mountain bike. It's been hard, getting up at 5am to train before work and often training after work is tiring, but I've never been in bed so early in my life. But the best thing is that I need people to train with - and through sheer luck my main training buddy is a big goregous man who's a bit out of shape and a little heavier than he's used to... I'm not actually attracted to him (nor him me) but it does make it easier to get out of bed at 5am haha I also have a crush on the guy teaching me to mountain bike... the flirting seems to be going both ways, but is pretty innocent. Honestly I did this for all the right reasons for me, and since I've started (yes two weeks only) I've met about 20 super cool guys who are fun and supportive of me even though I'm a fattie who is totally out of shape. It's been a real eye opener - I thought they would be judgemental and think I was delusional thinking I could do this... but pleasantly not. So anyway, the combination of having such a huge goal and having more male attention that since before I put on the weight is I think finally going to be enough for me to get off my fat butt and do exercise which I love. Anyway, just wrote this for anyone who is worried that people will judge them for being fat stopping them from getting out there and having fun.
cuppa Posted May 5, 2010 Posted May 5, 2010 First of all, congratulations for taking the big step. Cycling across the mt everest base...wow, that's not an easy feat. I've been there, but I went from Tibetan side instead of through Kathmandu. I wasn't fit then but surprisingly, I didn't get any AMS. Be sure to acclimate yourself (I'm sure you guys know), I was told that it's best to elevate no more than 1500M a day (I believe Everest base is at 6000 M above the sea level and one person in my group passed out). Not to scare you though lol...just be careful and be ready, train hard (although AMS doesn't seem have anything to do with fitness level though). The oxygen is very very thin at this level and you get tired just by walking or climbing stairs. I think I posted before, the most popular ones in my gym have always been people who are strong will and want to better themselves. More so, I always admire to see an overweight person jogging on the street, I bet you, there are more people who admire the strong will than actually the other way around.
Author kassy Posted May 6, 2010 Author Posted May 6, 2010 That is awesome you went to Base camp, trekking I assume? How long did you go for? Yeah we go from tibet and end in kathmandu... it takes a month. I doubt I will be cycling over 1500 vertical metres in a day so should be ok there haha We have 5 days to acclimatise in Lhasa first and I'm going to take that anti altitude sickness drug. Fortunately the guy teaching me to mountain bike has already done the trip (but independently - where as I'm going with a group and a support vehicle ) So he's pretty invaluable as a resource for me at the moment, and there are a few other guys floating around who have done it or will do it later this year - so should be all sorted... I have a year to get fit, get the skills and lose about a third of my body weight - well minus a few months of recovery from my upcoming operation in July. So should be fine time wise I think, but it's going to be a challenge! Yeah I was pleasantly surprised at how nice all the super fit hot people have been. Very helpful and a lot of fun actually. It's always been one of my fears of turning up... I mean in raod cycling- how I am doing most of my riding right now - there is a whole lot of lycra and yeah some people (me right now) not exactly looking their best in lycra But hey at least it can only get better!
cuppa Posted May 6, 2010 Posted May 6, 2010 I came from Cheng Du, took a flight to Lhasa, stayed there for 2 days, and then went to Namtso Lake, then Everest Base. Total stay is about 8 days. Didn't do much trekking, my guide took me there. So Lhasa is like 3500M above I think? Namtso Lake is about 5000M or so then Everest base camp is about 6000M if I remember correctly. So from Chengdu to Lhasa flight, a couple of people in my group got sick right away the minute we landed so it's good that you acclimate yourself for 5 days. Some people said taking a train might be better. Not sure if the drug is effective or not, it just seems one of those, you can be super fit and you can still get AMS while for me, I wasn't fit at all and yet, I could climb up & down no problem. but yeah, just be sure that you are very ready. Even though I didn't get AMS, my head was tight the whole time (lacking oxygen I think). I thought Tibet permit is hard to get by these days because of the riot a couple of years ago so it's good that they open up again. Tibet is very beautiful, one of the best trips I've ever taken. Be sure to stay at the west side at Lhasa (it's more traditional tibetan while the east side is more of new immigrant from the mainland). Politics tension was high when I was there so be sure that you stay clear from any politics discussion (some foreigners can be pretty dense sometimes and while they can go back to their countries, their local guides might be in trouble)
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