May 22nd: From Honglong Township to Litang, about 33 kilometers
Today, apart from a 6-kilometer climb, there’s no other difficulty, so I’m planning to set off a bit later.
At 8 in the morning, I opened the door, feeling depressed, it’s snowing, the houses are all covered, the difficulty factor has increased invisibly, and it’s still snowing.
As usual, we still stayed in the inn cooperating with 57, which is a local’s inn.
It was not yet half past eight after breakfast, and it started to snow heavily, with goose feather-like snowflakes. Then we filled up with hot water, went back to the room, and waited until the snow got lighter before leaving.
We waited until after 9 o’clock, the snow stopped, it was a light drizzle, not heavy, and we decided to set off.
Although the snow has stopped, the temperature is really cold, and my cough has become worse. Recently, every time I reach above 3800 meters in altitude, I keep coughing, sometimes so much that I can’t speak.
The 6-kilometer climb was tough in this environment, mainly because it was hot while riding, but the temperature was cold. After climbing, the weather cleared up, and then there were more than 10 kilometers of downhill.
This downhill should have moisture, I felt that it was not yet 10 kilometers, and then there were a few small climbs again.
In between, I passed a toll station in Litang, where staff would check the travel code.
Then after about 2 slopes, I arrived at the Litang Tunnel, which is nearly 3 kilometers long.
After coming out of the tunnel, it’s all downhill until Litang.
The distant snow-capped mountains are particularly spectacular.
Litang Entrance
The neon sign of the City of the Sky is a bit far away.
The weather in Litang is still very good, the sun is very harsh.
Today I’m staying in a hotel cooperating with 57, the conditions are quite good, a standard room with two beds for 90, a single room with a big bed for one person for 90, and you can also add money to include breakfast and dinner.
My friend and I each booked a single room with a big bed. Recently, at high altitudes, sleep has not been very good, and my face is still swollen.
It’s only half past twelve now, it’s still early, I went downstairs and had lunch: twice-cooked pork over rice, 25 per serving.
Then I went to the pharmacy I saw on the way here and bought some Kyoto Nian Ci An Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao. I’ve had a severe cough recently, and this syrup works very well for coughs. Fortunately, they sell it here. I also bought some traditional Chinese medicine plasters because I sprained my ankle while pushing the bike the other day.
There’s basically nothing to do in the afternoon, take a bath, do some laundry, catch up on sleep, and order a local set meal on Meituan in the evening to taste the local cuisine.
This is a photo taken after breakfast this morning, my face is swollen like a pig’s head. The pressure of cycling along the way is great, sleep is not good at high altitudes, it’s dry at high altitudes, and I drink less water, so it has become like this, with blisters all over my mouth.
Tomorrow, from Litang to Heni Township, the difficulty is not great, about 50 kilometers, there are no big climbs, all are relatively gentle roads, and in the afternoon, I will stay at Uncle Suo Bo’s place, their most classic dish is yak meat stewed with potatoes, the picture was taken by a teammate in front a few days ago.
The inn has a particularly good view, located on the grassland, with a large courtyard and marmots around.
See you tomorrow!