Friday, June 20, 2008

Day 9 - June 20, Ayaguz to Karamay (China)

Updates from David on Patricia's Rally progress

528 km (of which 82km Special Section)

Today the Rally crossed into China and into stunning landscape. For the riders, the border seems to have presented little bureaucracy, but unfortunately one of the rally cars hit a pedestrian in Kazakstan and the border was immediately closed whilst the incident was investigated. All the support crews were stuck on the wrong side of the border.

Due to the slow speed of the support convoy, it is now 4 nights since Patricia has actually seen her Dad/mechanic - but other riders have helped to do essential bike maintenance and tyre changes.

When Patricia called tonight (10.30pm local time), she was in her sleeping bag - the first time it had caught up with her in 4 days..... in a tent that is not waterproof ... in the pouring rain. I'm not 100% familiar with German expletives, but I think I heard a few being muttered !

Some good news, in addition to the stunning landscape, is as follows:

- Patricia had a great day on the Special Section - due to altering the angle of her trip meter, which in turn meant she could navigate whilst standing up on the bike, and hence drive faster (umm....yes apparently going faster is good news! What happened to "I just want to finish?!") - she came 14th in today's Special out of 47 riders who seem to remain in the rally. She is still 21st overall.

- Tomorrow is the last day before rest-day on Sunday, which is not a moment too soon , as tonight she sounded completely exhausted.

Sounds like it might be worth watching Motors TV tonight, to see "riders weaving between small hills, cut through by little fjords", and possibly catching a glimpse of No.22.

Teaboy
BBC Cambridgeshire Newsroom

Reminders if you are glued to progress and want up to the minute news:

Motors TV is a good watch each night (21.00 GMT and 23.30 GMT) , repeated the next morning (10.00 GMT) , if you have access to it...

Online progress of each stage is allegedly going to be available on the www.transorientale.com website, although it is still not working from what I can see. I might be the only person in the world who cannot get it working, so feel free to try for yourself.

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