A Final Thought
Well it is done! After 10,700kms, 107 days, 8 countries, two major deserts, 60,000 meters of elevation gain, many too many headwinds, and temperatures occasionally over 40C (even melting the asphalt), but sometimes low enough to freeze the water bottles, it is all over. Despite the challenges, we rode on; the will to continue being stronger that the desire to call it a day. The riders were a remarkable bunch of people; at times being pushed to their limits but never thinking of packing it in.
The first ever bicycle caravan along the Silk Route is done. There will be others to follow in our footsteps, or rather in our tires marks, but we have set the mold. We have had the time of our lives, discovering old cities that had sounded to us like places from old fables. We had the opportunity to cycle through areas where, hundreds of years ago, cities were bursting with lives and riches. Today, only the hushed sound of the wind can be heard. We had the sobering opportunity to stand in silence and try to imagine the shrieks and noise of hundreds of thousands of people being massacred by marauding armies. We admired some absolutely amazing feats of architecture and human genius and all the glory of God's creations. We visited new cities, bursting with energy and life.
Most importantly, we were blessed with the possibility to live in the moment each and every day, to see new things, to taste new foods, new fruits, new smells and to face whatever challenges might emerge from around the next bend in the road.
The 2007 Silk Route Bicycle expedition may be over but our memories will be with us forever!
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Posted November 20, 2007 by Henry Gold
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