You can see all photos if you search SCTTRAVEL on Instagram.
You can sponsor me by searching my name on uk.virginmoneygiving.com
All money raised goes to a homeless foundation in Richmond.
SHILLONG-Ri Kynjai-Guwhati-Barpeta-Kokrajhai-Alipur Duar-Jalpaiguri–Siliguri-Kishanganj-Raiganj-Malda-Baharampur-Krishnanager-CALCUTTA.
Ride time: 69 HRS
Distance: 745 MILES
Total distance: 1,238 MILES
From leaving the hill top town of Shillong had an amazing 10 mile downhill stretch of winding road to a lake resort called 'RI Kynjai'.I spent the afternoon and night there.It was a fancy place.I felt I lowered the tone as I had nothing to wear other than jogging trousers, t-shirt and flip-flops.Met an English guy at the bar from Somerset and spent the night chatting with him.First proper discussion I've had in weeks.Made some alterations to the positional set-up of the bike during the afternoon and since my aching right calf has stopped.
The following day, I continued the mostly downhill ride to Guwahati which is the capital of Assam, (Assam is like a county).People I'd met previous said it was a great city and spoke of it with a lot of pride.It done nothing for me and I left early the following morning.Finding my way out the city was difficult.Had to ask for directions at every turning point, but people are always happy to help.Since leaving the hills the scenery and people have become more like what I 'd previously seen when in Bangladesh.The roads are now busier and the crowds have returned.
A lot of the small towns I've been stopping in have great night markets, each stall dimly lit by candle or a hanging light bulb.Its a nice way to rest the legs after riding, to stroll around a market in the evening, and as it's dark and usually quite cold I can wear my jacket hood up, and nobody really notices me.I'm like the invisible man, compared to the day times on the bike, where the celebrity status continues.I've been invited to people's homes for food on a couple of occasions where piles of people gather and watch me eat.One guy was upset cos I didn't have time to go and meet his girlfriend so he asked me to talk to her over the phone!
The roads surfaces have been really poor in a lot of areas.Stretches for 10 miles at a time where trucks and buses crawl along, nose to tail at 5mph weaving and navigating around all the pits and pot holes.Motorbikes, cyclists and anything else on the roads just have to slot in where they can.It becomes very tiring, like 'off-road' riding.I've had to deflate some of the tyre pressure cos the continual impacts are too much through the wrists and back.
Been suffering from a bit of a cold through my stay in Siliguri where I rested for a day.I asked the hotel manager to direct me to the nearest chemist.He insisted on one of his staff showing me where it was.It was only half a mile up the road, I didn't need an escort.After the chemist I spotted a shopping mall and tried explaining to the helper that I was going for look round there and that he should go back.He spoke no English and didn't understand.He stopped with me the whole time as I just slowly wandered round window shopping.I couldn't shake him off.Each time I said 'you go back' he just look at me blank.
Had a good week of riding down from Siliguri heading towards Calcutta.The road surface has been variable.A lot has been typically poor, but the majority has been fresh laid tarmac, where the cycling is easy and I'm able to cover a lot of ground in a lot more comfort.Me knees have caused a little discomfort at times, especially after some of the longer days in the saddle, but no long term pain seems to be settling in.I'm still stretching daily as Dave (Physio) suggests.
Been having to stay in some real shabby places, which seems to be the score whilst crossing wide areas between the big city's.One night, in 'Kishanganj' I had next to no sleep at all.The hotel had no windows and was positioned next to a highway flyover and a railway station. There were sounding horns continually throughout the night (the bus/lorry horns out here last about 5 seconds and sound like fair ground ride music or amusement arcades)and the train announcement tannoys were so loud it felt like I was sitting on the platform.I was like a bear with a sore head getting ready to leave in the morning.My room was on the third floor, and when one of the staff came skipping around whistling and singing I felt like toppling him over the balcony.A real heavy days riding followed, but had more luck with a decent guest house the following evening.
Starting to get annoyed with other bike riders.Every day half a dozen, minimum, on separate occasions draw up next to me (and once they're there your sought of trapped.I can't out pace them and run away, and if I stop they'll just stop as well) and fire the same old questions.What your country?Where you go?What your name?How long you been here? ect, ect.When I was reading other peoples blogs for research who'd done similar trips to this they'd said they also got really annoyed by the same thing.I didn't understand at the time of reading, thought they were unreasonable but I understand it now.It's like 'Chinese water torture'.I think the repetition must just drive you made.Like a new song you love on the 1st time of hearing, but grow to hate because the radio over play it.Starting to think keeping my patients is gonna be more of a challenge than the riding itself.Finding it very difficult cause I'm getting angry with myself rather than the person initiating it.See how it goes over the coming weeks I guess.Didn't prepare myself for people showing an interest and being friendly to be a problem when I was planning for every thing that could happen out here.
Arrived in Calcutta which on first impressions seems a pretty lively place.Not much different from most the big towns I've passed through, just on a larger scale.I'm gonna rest for a few days so I'll have a good look round and see what the place has to offer.The ride in was exciting and took over 3hrs from the outskirts to reach the centre.
You can sponsor me by searching my name on uk.virginmoneygiving.com
All money raised goes to a homeless foundation in Richmond.
SHILLONG-Ri Kynjai-Guwhati-Barpeta-Kokrajhai-Alipur Duar-Jalpaiguri–Siliguri-Kishanganj-Raiganj-Malda-Baharampur-Krishnanager-CALCUTTA.
Ride time: 69 HRS
Distance: 745 MILES
Total distance: 1,238 MILES
From leaving the hill top town of Shillong had an amazing 10 mile downhill stretch of winding road to a lake resort called 'RI Kynjai'.I spent the afternoon and night there.It was a fancy place.I felt I lowered the tone as I had nothing to wear other than jogging trousers, t-shirt and flip-flops.Met an English guy at the bar from Somerset and spent the night chatting with him.First proper discussion I've had in weeks.Made some alterations to the positional set-up of the bike during the afternoon and since my aching right calf has stopped.
The following day, I continued the mostly downhill ride to Guwahati which is the capital of Assam, (Assam is like a county).People I'd met previous said it was a great city and spoke of it with a lot of pride.It done nothing for me and I left early the following morning.Finding my way out the city was difficult.Had to ask for directions at every turning point, but people are always happy to help.Since leaving the hills the scenery and people have become more like what I 'd previously seen when in Bangladesh.The roads are now busier and the crowds have returned.
A lot of the small towns I've been stopping in have great night markets, each stall dimly lit by candle or a hanging light bulb.Its a nice way to rest the legs after riding, to stroll around a market in the evening, and as it's dark and usually quite cold I can wear my jacket hood up, and nobody really notices me.I'm like the invisible man, compared to the day times on the bike, where the celebrity status continues.I've been invited to people's homes for food on a couple of occasions where piles of people gather and watch me eat.One guy was upset cos I didn't have time to go and meet his girlfriend so he asked me to talk to her over the phone!
The roads surfaces have been really poor in a lot of areas.Stretches for 10 miles at a time where trucks and buses crawl along, nose to tail at 5mph weaving and navigating around all the pits and pot holes.Motorbikes, cyclists and anything else on the roads just have to slot in where they can.It becomes very tiring, like 'off-road' riding.I've had to deflate some of the tyre pressure cos the continual impacts are too much through the wrists and back.
Been suffering from a bit of a cold through my stay in Siliguri where I rested for a day.I asked the hotel manager to direct me to the nearest chemist.He insisted on one of his staff showing me where it was.It was only half a mile up the road, I didn't need an escort.After the chemist I spotted a shopping mall and tried explaining to the helper that I was going for look round there and that he should go back.He spoke no English and didn't understand.He stopped with me the whole time as I just slowly wandered round window shopping.I couldn't shake him off.Each time I said 'you go back' he just look at me blank.
Had a good week of riding down from Siliguri heading towards Calcutta.The road surface has been variable.A lot has been typically poor, but the majority has been fresh laid tarmac, where the cycling is easy and I'm able to cover a lot of ground in a lot more comfort.Me knees have caused a little discomfort at times, especially after some of the longer days in the saddle, but no long term pain seems to be settling in.I'm still stretching daily as Dave (Physio) suggests.
Been having to stay in some real shabby places, which seems to be the score whilst crossing wide areas between the big city's.One night, in 'Kishanganj' I had next to no sleep at all.The hotel had no windows and was positioned next to a highway flyover and a railway station. There were sounding horns continually throughout the night (the bus/lorry horns out here last about 5 seconds and sound like fair ground ride music or amusement arcades)and the train announcement tannoys were so loud it felt like I was sitting on the platform.I was like a bear with a sore head getting ready to leave in the morning.My room was on the third floor, and when one of the staff came skipping around whistling and singing I felt like toppling him over the balcony.A real heavy days riding followed, but had more luck with a decent guest house the following evening.
Starting to get annoyed with other bike riders.Every day half a dozen, minimum, on separate occasions draw up next to me (and once they're there your sought of trapped.I can't out pace them and run away, and if I stop they'll just stop as well) and fire the same old questions.What your country?Where you go?What your name?How long you been here? ect, ect.When I was reading other peoples blogs for research who'd done similar trips to this they'd said they also got really annoyed by the same thing.I didn't understand at the time of reading, thought they were unreasonable but I understand it now.It's like 'Chinese water torture'.I think the repetition must just drive you made.Like a new song you love on the 1st time of hearing, but grow to hate because the radio over play it.Starting to think keeping my patients is gonna be more of a challenge than the riding itself.Finding it very difficult cause I'm getting angry with myself rather than the person initiating it.See how it goes over the coming weeks I guess.Didn't prepare myself for people showing an interest and being friendly to be a problem when I was planning for every thing that could happen out here.
Arrived in Calcutta which on first impressions seems a pretty lively place.Not much different from most the big towns I've passed through, just on a larger scale.I'm gonna rest for a few days so I'll have a good look round and see what the place has to offer.The ride in was exciting and took over 3hrs from the outskirts to reach the centre.
