Bike Himalaya with Mike
I have a dream...
to one day bike over the Himalayas
and keep my promise to my ostomy:
show it the top of the world!
# and hopefully become a world first asthmatic, ostomate, cancer survivor
completing the Himalaya crossing by bike,
# and connect with the Himalaya spirits.
Story
On the eve of May 5th 2010 I woke up after my cancer operation. Dizzy and pretty stuffed I felt, but also happy to have survived. On my abdomen sat my new friend: my ostomy. Without it I wouldn't be alive I figured out. I instantly made my ostomy my best mate and while I squeezing it I made it a promise: to show it the top of the world. Together we will cycle over the Himalayas.
When
September ??
The route
Depart Leh in Ladakh at altitude of 3.500 m to Manali in Himachal Pradesh at 1.950 m, a total of approx. 580 km. Stay in Leh to acclamitise incl. climbing Khardung La just 40 km north of Leh in the Indian Karakorams. Then the big bicycle journey up and over the Himalayas along "Highway to Heaven" peaking at - and where I will be "knocking on heavens door" - Tanglang La in 5.328 m. However it is on top of Baralacha La that one is actually crossing the Great Himalaya Wall. The 480 kms on the top of the world will finish in Manali in Himachal Pradesh at a modest 1.950 m. The road is often described as the most difficult in the world to travel. Conditions including landslides, extreme weather, sub-zero temperatures in the passes year round and altitude sickness are forces to be reckoned with plus road conditions of inferior standard compared to comfort of normal road travel. I have to be prepared for dealing with the unexpected at any time on the journey.
The five Himalaya passes to climb are:
Khardung La at 5.359 m
along Leh to Manali Highway "Highway to Heaven",
Tanglang La at 5.328 m
Lachung La at 5.060 m
Baralacha La at 4.880 m (the one which crosses the Great Himalayan Wall)
Rohtang La at 3.975 m
Preparations
Undergoing.
Health status
Cancer check-up at Bispebjerg, September 2012. All OK.
Cancer check-up at Bispebjerg, March 2012. All OK.
Cancer check-up at Bispebjerg, October 2011. All OK.
Cancer check-up at Bispebjerg, March 2011. All OK.
Cancer check-up at Auckland General Hospital, January 2011. All OK.
Cancer check-up at Bispebjerg, November 2010. All OK.
Cancer operation at Bispebjerg, May 2010.
# Diagnosed with astma in 2006. I suffer no breathing problems when taking my prescripted medicine twice daily.
# Diagnosed with rectal cancer on April 19th 2010. The operation removed the cancer, which had taken my butt and now provided me with an ostomy. But more importantly did the operation save my life and gave me new opportunities in life. Treatment completed.
# Fractured hip in car accident August 1997. Still with original hip, no need yet for replacement.
Click here for my personal cancer story.
More to come soon...
If any know-how, tips or things you think I should know of re. the crossing, please email me at: bikecopenhagenwithmike@gmail.com
Thank you.
Namaste,
Bike Mike
