June 1st: From Baxi to Ranwu, over 90 kilometers.
I rested yesterday. In the morning, I washed clothes on the rooftop of the inn for an hour, then got a PCR test. At noon, I found a rib restaurant in Baxi, where a double meal cost 110 yuan with very ample portions. In the afternoon, I repaired the flat tire, and had dinner at the restaurant downstairs in the evening.
Today, there are more than 60 kilometers of uphill climbing, and after reaching the pass, there are more than 20 kilometers of undulating downhill roads to Ranwu Town. Overall, it’s okay.
I went out at half past seven. There’s no breakfast or dinner included, so I need to eat at a roadside shop.
After breakfast, I set off officially around eight o’clock.
The road out of the county town is a gentle uphill.
Just out of the county town, there are several continuous long uphills. Next to it, there is a military base, and then there are villages.
The landform here, the mountains are all bare.
Long downhill, after that is a long uphill.
Some roadsides have crops, and there are some dried yak dung cakes piled up on the low walls.
Around 11 o’clock, I arrived at the lunch spot in Jida Township: Old Comrade Sichuan Cuisine. The happiest time is when eating. Recently, I’ve been exposed to the scorching sun every day and get hungry quite quickly. I can also take a break while eating.
I ordered a bowl of shredded meat noodles, it’s great! 20 yuan, with ample servings. The boss is also very talkative. I didn’t have twice-cooked pork today; I’ve had too much of it along the way and needed to change the taste occasionally.
Finished eating at 11:50, set off. At this time, there are still 30 kilometers of uphill climbing to the pass.
Just out of Jida Township, it’s also a long uphill.
It’s still a continuous uphill, just after finishing the meal, it starts to digest.
Sha Rao Village
There are still 48 kilometers to Ranwu Town, and about 28 kilometers to the pass.
Both sides are farmland, it’s tiring, and I’m not riding fast.
32 kilometers away from Ranwu Town, about 12 kilometers away from the pass.
Take a break, replenish some sugar. When drinking cola at high altitudes, do it slowly, be careful it might spray out.
At this time, there are more than 2 kilometers away from the pass.
Anjula Mountain Pass, more than 4400 meters above sea level, the last 2 kilometers are very easy to ride, no uphill, flat road.
Stayed at the pass for 5 minutes, changed into thick clothes to prepare for going downhill.
Other passes lead to downhill when going downhill, but this pass is very special, it doesn’t follow the routine, and it’s still a gentle uphill road behind the pass.
After two long slopes, it began to slowly downhill, undulating road.
At this time, the long downhill leads to Ranwu.
This section of the road is still relatively easy to walk, with no bad roads.
The most dangerous road today.
This section of the road is quite bad. Pay attention to the speed and brakes. The road is full of potholes, and it’s downhill, so be aware of passing vehicles. After riding past, it’s almost to the accommodation point in Ranwu Town.
At 16:15, I arrived at the hotel. Today’s hotel, which is a 57 cooperative, has a really good environment. The standard room with breakfast and dinner included is 90 yuan per person, which is cost-effective. You can see the snow-capped mountains out of the window.
There is a supermarket next to the restaurant. We put our things away and went to the supermarket to replenish snacks and water.
Dinner for two people was also good. The hotel is called Chengdu Xin Ya Hotel. I will stay here next time I come. The environment is indeed good.
If time is not so tight, you can actually stay in Ranwu for a day or two. There seems to be a glacier nearby to see, and you can also see the whole Ranwu Lake.
The most difficult road of the 318 cycling has basically ended today, and it will be relatively easy from now on.
Tomorrow: From Ranwu to Bomi, undulating downhill 130 kilometers, the difficulty is not great, and I heard that the scenery is very good.
See you tomorrow!