Garry McGivern’s cycling around the world, Monday, 22nd-October-2012, a rocky side of the road to thirty miles north of Liuyuan. 75 miles. It was a bitterly cold night last night. I was so cold I had trouble sleeping. And that was despite wearing; a fleece, t-shirt, two pairs of socks, a thermal vest and long johns, a hat and a silk liner in my sleeping bag. Which allegedly is good down to minus ten, maybe when it was new, but not now!
After packing up this morning, I went to move off, only to find my front wheel had seized up. It was fine yesterday, and I never heard any strange noises. I tried oiling the spindle, but no matter what I did, it wouldn’t move! Things were starting to get a little worrying. I was miles from anywhere in the middle of nowhere. After a while, I began to wonder if it had frozen up, as hard as it is to believe, but I was getting desperate now, and I couldn’t think of what else it could be. I unpacked my stove and boiled up some water. I poured it over the spindle, and bingo, it was free. It spun as if it had never stopped! I quickly packed everything up, ensuring I kept the wheel moving, fearing it freezing again. I told you it was a cold night!
My decision to camp wild last night was the right one. What I thought was a town was only a service area. But at least I managed to get a nice hot meal and top up with water as I was nearly out.
It’s been a tough ride today and mainly uphill; hence I couldn’t make it to Liuyuan, so I’m camping wild again tonight. I hope it’s not as cold as last night!
Please Donate
Don’t forget the main reason behind my ride. I want to raise as much money for cancer research charities as possible. After my wife, Josie, died of breast cancer in 2007, aged only 42. Even the smallest donation helps. You can donate to Cancer Research UK or the Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation. Click on either one to donate. Every little bit helps to rid the world of this cruel disease.
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