Dougy-Fresh Update

Our man Doug is racing in India. Yes. India. We know. Crazy, right? Here's his latest update:

March 19th

Hello all.
I have been here for four days and it feels like it has been a few weeks. the people here in Sikkim are so nice it has significantly reduced the stress within this adventure. We have found some wonderful people to host us in their hotel (hotel owner's name is Bassant) and make us feel at home. I'm even using their computer right now. The culture is very interesting and I've been taking in so much and have had such a great time interacting with the locals. So much taken in that I have to go get another notebook for the one I brought with me is just about full.

We (us Americans) are all here now (Harlan, is girlfriend, Tim, Janel and myself) and had safe travels out here. Harlan and I got a 50km ride in yesterday out to an old Tibetian monestary in the village of Rumtek and back (we are staying in Gangtok). The climbs are long and seem to go on forever (2000 vertical feet in 12km). Everyone seems to stop what they are doing and cheer us on. School children come running out to support us. Kind of like in Costa Rica. It has been a thrill.

The roads are crowded (very narrow) and are quite scary to ride in town seeing as there is only one road in and out. Traffic as bad as NYC traffic (or worse at times). There is no room for error and we are being very conservative with our speeds (specifically when descending). It is not worth it to hurt ourselves just to ride down a road quite fast.

My 32x22 gear ratio on the 29er singlespeed feels good on my legs. We are all feeling pretty good but a lot of our competition (including last year's winner) are Nepalase Sherpas. Kind of intimidating but, regardless, I am positive it will be a good event and experience. Tomorrow is day one of the actual event.

Things have been quite challenging, exciting and fun thus far. It is only getting better!

Talk to you in a few weeks. Enjoy!
Doug