Japon arkadaşımız Daisuke'nin Pakistan-Hindistan ve Nepal'den gönderdiği yazılarını ekte bulabilirsiniz.

Daisuke Fotoğraflar

http://www.izmirbisiklet.org/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=67&catid=58   

Subject: Indian agressive boy

> India is very exciting country to travel. The dramatic things happen
> everyday. Mostly it is unpleasant things. I got accident yesterday. (I
> put story on my web page) I fought against children today. I do not
> know what happen for me tomorrow. Indian might kill me tomorrow.....
>
> Many Indian are very exciting to see foreigner man on the bicycle.
> They call me so often, shout me, follow me by bike or by motorcycle.
> Especially children do. 100 Indian people a day ask me "What is your
> nationality?" "What is your name?" just for fun to them. I gave up to
> answer. I ignore them to all the time. Some of them are angry to me...
>
> 5 children on the bicycle follow me in this afternoon. I ignored them.
> Suddenly one boy griped my back bag. I kick his bike. He fell down on
> the road. A strap of my bag was broken. I stopped and fix my bag. 2
> minutes later I was surrounded by 10 children.
>
> The boy who fell down on the road came to me and said "My bicycle was
> broken. Give me 100 Rupees!" It was nothing broken. I ignored him and
> continued to fix my bag. He punch my back. 10 children looked me. I
> did not punch back to him. Just I explain them. Some children were not
> his friend and said "You can go now."
>
> Merry Christmas dear cyclist,
> I hope you have no big accident next year!
> Take care of you,
> Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Bodhgaya,India(120th country):139,541 km http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: India cycling

> Dear cyclist,
> If you have some experience about cycle in India or if you hear from
> someone about cycling India, let me know about accommodation.
>
> The price of accommodation in India is not so cheap. The price is
> going up. Also it is not easy to find economy accommodation. Because
> 1. Local Indian can not speak English or their English is very
> difficult to understand. 2. Local people do not know cheap hotels
> because they have never stay any hotels. 3. Taxi (riksher) drivers
> always tell lie and they want to take their friend's hotel.
> I do not have good guide book. Even lonely planet guide book does not
> cover all Indian cities and towns. It spend a lot of times to find
> place to stay everyday.
> Some (many) unfriendly manager of Hotel charge 3-5 times more than
> local price to foreigners. When I asked some hotels about price to
> stay a night, the managers answer me 500Rs! (10 US dollar) Even small
> and very dirty room! 500Rs, I can move 500 km by bus. 500km means 5
> days by bike. If I pay 500 Rs for 5 days cost 2500 Rs only for
> sleep.....It is too much! It will be cheaper to travel by public
> transportation in India!!
>
> Where is good place to sleep? I am not sure that camping is safe or
> not ? When I slept Gas station, security man keep gun all night to
> secure Gas station. It means many thieves are in India.
>
> --
> just now...Gwalior,India(120th country):138,873 km http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: Pamir Highway --- report from Salva Rodrigues

> Dear cyclist,
> I received e-mail about cycling report Pamir Highway, Central Asia
> from Salva who is Spanish around the world cyclist.. It is very
> popular place to cycle on the earth. I share his report to you. Enjoy
> to read it!
> Take care of you, Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Delhi,India(120th country):138,418 km http://www.daisukebike.be
>
> -------------------------------
> From:  salva rguez (salva2africa@yahoo.es)
>
> dear all,
>
> delicious food, beautiful scenery, clean air, comfortable
> accomodation, and everything so cheap than even i can treat myself
> here. i am in macleodganj, 10 kms uphill dharamsala, india. the very
> wished rest has come true. but the way was not easy...
>
> after taskent i left my cyclist mates and went alone into kyrgyzstan,
> i wanted to go to a remote area called chatkal valley. i was refused
> at the closer border, so i took me almost 3 more days than i planned
> to reach ala-buka (and almost a night jail with stupid juniors of the
> army).
> kyrgyzstan is a wonderful country for cyclists, i have met many, but
> nobody there, almost no roads, often no bridges. few villages and
> little food to buy but homemade bread. as it uses to be in this sort
> of places, scenery is super, but i would say that it was the mix of
> lonelyness-beauty what makes the wonder of the valley. little
> development and lots of nature.
> after that i turned eastwards. easy tarmac road to join the main road
> osh-bishkek, but very soon the turn-off to song-kol is again a rough
> road.
> well, what can i say about this country? song-kol (a lake at 3000 m.),
> issyk-kol, the glaciers road in the very east... it was a very very
> good time, but exhausting. also the bicycle was damaged. i fixed it in
> bishkek with the help of mr. anton, who is famous between long
> distance cyclists. well, to be honest, i would not recommend him but
> there was no option. his work was not good and he also did a bad job
> with daisuke's bicycle some weeks later.
>
> to get a visa for tadjikistan is not easy here anymore: new consul. so
> now, you need a LOI but still pamir permit is included in the 50$ visa
> fee.
> so with right papers i crossed the country to osh through the main
> road which is very quiet and beautiful. there, in osh, i met a brave
> cyclist who is trying to cross siberia in winter, mr. bastian
> (bastiendemange@gmail.com), very nice guy, and a beautiful story.
> i met mr. jan, a french cyclist travelling from singapour to france.
> he asked me 'may i know you?', yes, i knew him as well... we met 14-16
> months ago in southafrica. he was backpacking and we had spoken. he
> decided to do a trip by bicycle then! and.... more than a year later,
> we met again in osh! incredible, i have become a man with a mission:
> to spread cyclotourism!
>
> anyway, i left kyrgyzstan towards pamir. 2 more rough passes before
> the order and a view of a lifetime: sarytash meadows. you just see
> from east to west, in front of your tent, a huge white range with some
> 6000 m peaks and the lenina peak (7000). really great.
> the tayik border is after the pass, but still over 4000 m., and first
> they gave me tea, biscuits and jam. when i recovered myself from the
> effort, coldness and altitude, they asked me for the passport. very
> good people.
>
> pamir was great, you know, this is one of the top ten places for
> cyclists. but not so late. early october was very very cold. the wind
> freezes you and somedays i could not cycle because of the storms.
> still, the place is amazing. it remained me western tibet with these
> huge glacier valleys.
> i left the highway (which is mostly paved) to the wakhan valley.
> people said also the highway is beautiful, i do not know. what i can
> say is that whakhan has extremely bad road but is stunning. the views
> of hindukush (7000), and all the snowed peaks, make you smile even if
> you are breathless pushing through the stones or sand. there was
> little food but homemade meals. but, if the weather is bad and no
> views, i would suggest to take the highway road, you know, suffering
> for nothing...
>
> i was lucky, the bad weather started when i arrived in khorog, end of
> the valley.
> from here, the road follows the amudarya canyon, between
> afghanistan-tadjikistan, and it is also spectacular, sometimes very
> rough and risky because slides.
> when i jumped into the lowlands... well, end of the views but a relief
> for my muscles. i was very tired.
>
> then i crossed to afghanistan, as you know because the last email.
> just tell that finally my bicycle crossed with an afghan refugee,
> thanks to mrs. hilde, and i flew with the red cross. so, my bicycle
> and i met again in a photocopy shop at peshawar (hilde, my dear, i
> still can believe it sometimes. it was very risky, but it worked...
> you are great!).
> i left peshawar the day some talibans killed a US worker in.. the same
> street than red cross left me...
> happy to leave such a funny area, i went to islamabad where the party
> was waiting. i met daisuke there for the third time (addis abeba,
> isphahan), www.daisukebike.be, and alvaro, for the second time (tehran
> to taskent), www.biciclown.com.
>
> we have been cycling toguether until here, dharamsala, sharing jokes,
> stories, plans for future, information, tips, and sometimes... even
> the bed! it has been a big honour for me to be able to learn humanity
> from the big japanese, but i was not successful in my attempt to teach
> spanish sense of humour to daisuke! we have to cycle one more time
> again, my friend, laddak next summer!
>
> and well, pakistan is not my favourite country. it is too polluted and
> crowdy, but punjab in india was not better. even noisier. but at
> least, you can see the half of the planet again: women!
> then, straight to the mountains, which has little less traffic and
> pollution. the rest is making me feel better slowly slowly and i have
> a plan for next year.
> despite the traffic and the indians, i will cycle down and up the
> country, cross to nepal, and back to india in summer for cycling in
> laddak. after monzoon, 2 months of trekking in nepal, and later i will
> look for the chance to get a boat to thailand or malaysia from
> calcutta. i know there are little posibilities but, hey, after the
> mess leaving afghanistan, everything can be possible!
>
> well, some points about central asia mountains:
> - kyrgyzstan was ok even september, most passes over 3000 m, it snows
> from time to time but little, lower temperature -1 inside the tent.
> - i strongly recommend chatkal valley (west) and the 'road'  barskoon
> pass (4000) to narym. is very off road or not a road at all. both
> places you have to carry food for 4-5 days
> - most cyclists go around issy-kol (east) and song-kol (center). very
> beautiful sceneries and no problems with food or roads.
> - roads...everything from nice tarmac to very light track on the
> surface. up to you. russian maps are excellent.
> - people... i did not like them too much. the men were always drunk.
> the nomads are friendly but not as the mongolian or tibetans.
> - about pamir, i would say october is not a good month but people said
> bad weather can happen in july too. lower temperature -6 inside the
> tent. mostly pamir over 4000 m.
> - you have to carry food as much as you can (specially if you take
> wakhan valley) and eat with locals when you have the chance in order
> to save your own food.
> - khorog and murghab are the two places to buy food, enough but basic supplies.
> - water can be a problem in pamir highway. where there is a point
> water, fill up all bottles.
> - people in pamir and whakhan is excellent, very friendly and helpful.
>
> well, my friends, i hope you enjoy the next couple of weeks, merry
> xmas and happy new year to all, i wish you a year full of good times.
> with love,
> salva
>

Subject: Daisuke from Central Asia

> Dear cyclists, how are you?
> I am in Bishkek a capital city of Kyrgys, Central Asia. It is former
> Soviet Union country and Muslim religion. People are seems friendly
> but not very much. Some shopkeepers or restaurant charge me more price
> than locals. When I went to Internet shop a 3 days ago, I forgot to
> take back my USB cable and SD card from computer of the shop. I went
> back 20 minutes later, but someone already took it. Many thieves are
> at market, and polices often demand money from foreigner tourists. It
> is nothing nice things to see in Bishkek. But many tourists come to
> stay for a while to get visa of neighbour countries. I waited a week
> to get Indian visa. I got 2 days ago. Pakistan embassy told me, if I
> want to get Pakistan visa, I must wait 4 weeks.... Then I found my
> bike need repair many parts. Front hub was totally broken, back rim
> have many small cracks, Chane and front teeth also finished, and part
> of flame and carrier need solder. It needs 2 days at bike shop. The
> road of Central asia is no good!! I hope to start tomorrow with my
> refresh bike if it is nice weather.
> It is getting cold here from 2 weeks ago. And rain in this 3 days. I
> will go to Osh, Kashgar, Hunza. Islamabad and then to India. I will go
> up many more than 3000 m pass. I hope the road is open and not much
> snow.
> I met quite many cyclists during I stay at Bishkek about 10 days.
> French, German, Japanese, Swiss, Taiwanese. I hope their safe travel.
> All the best for you!!
> Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Bishkek,Kirghistan(135,586 km) http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: cycling in Afganistan

> Dear friend,
> I cycled down Karakorm highway. When I arrived campingsite in
> Islamabad yesterday, my good Spanish friend Salva waited me. We could
> meet 3rd time after at Ethiopia and Iran. He cycled to cross
> Afganistan just before Pakistan. I am respect his cycle spirit and
> courage. And I was very happy to his smile again because I was very
> worry about he visited dangerous war country....Anyway we are enjoying
> to talk many experiences each other.... I will share you about cycling
> experience in Afganistan from Salva....
> I can say "Thanks very much Hilde to help Salva very well." Hilde is
> my Belgium friend working at Kabul for her NGO education job.
> We also met Alvaro who is biciclown very famous Spanish cyclist today.
> www.biciclown.com
> Daisuke
> --
> just now...Islamabad, Pakistan(119th country):137.714 km
> http://www.daisukebike.be
> ----------------------------------------
>
> from kabul‏
> From:  salva rguez (salva2africa@yahoo.es)
> Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 8:48:04 AM
> Dear all
>
>
>
>
> As I promised last time from Tashkent, I will send you a report about
> the trip next xmas, but since my very good friend Daisuke
> (www.daisukebike.be) asked me for info about Afghanistan to share with
> his cyclists list (and I cannot refuse anything to him), here you have
> some lines about the experience in this broken country. By the way, my
> friend Adam, polish, was cycling here as well in summer, he is now in
> China. roborelanium@gmail.com
>
>
>
>
> To get visa is easy at Khorog consulate (Tadjikistan), 30$, same
> morning, 1 month stay, 3 months validity. It is said the embassy in
> Dushanbe is difficult, and it was easy in Mashhad (Iran) but I heard
> not anymore (this info is not direct, maybe can not be reliable).
>
> I crossed the border coming from Khorog-Kuliab-Pyang road (very bad
> road last 30 kms, but is normal in Tadjikistan). No questions, no
> hassle. At the afghan side was slower but friendly and I was invited
> for lunch by the officials, and ended myself up sleeping at their
> house, very generous and friendly people. Also unexpected first night
> in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: vodka and marihuana!
>
>
>
>
> To Kunduz is 60 kms through a desert with nothing but sand and ISAF
> convoys patrolling. It is said is very safe. I had lunch in the
> outskirts which later I was strongly advised not to do (4 people
> killed 2 days before), but it was safe and most people were very kind
> to me. Also few people looked at me not nicely but there is a % of
> Afghans that they openly do not like foreigners at all. I experienced
> the same 8 years ago, in Khohistan (Pakistan KKH), and they just look
> at you very hardly but they will do nothing against you.
>
> All hotels asked for 20$, does not matter what they offer, so I had to
> look for another kind of accommodation, but people around me never
> invited me and I guess they are afraid of hosting a foreigner.
> Eventually I got permission for free camping in an expensive hotel but
> on the way, surprisingly, an English teacher invited me and I spent 2
> nights with him. It was very interesting because I could speak a lot
> with him and the students, very good stories.
>
>
>
>
> On the road to Salang tunnel, and later Kabul, I always slept with
> police stations or restaurants, friendly people. Locals never invited
> me to private home, again I guess they are scared by Talibans. Some
> check points were worried about what I carried in my bags, but I was
> always treated with a big respect, and in general they checked only
> one bag and then realized I was a tourist. Most times they asked me
> 'why are you cycling here? Are not you afraid?' and so. It is strongly
> advised not to camp and not cycle at night. Daytime looks normal life.
>
>
>
>
> Salang tunnel is a hard climb (from 1100 to 3400 in 40 kms), it was
> snowed and beautiful. The tunnel itself is a trap of 3-4 km with no
> light neither with ventilation; army people will stop a truck for the
> bike and the cyclist. Still is not a nice experience.
>
> Road is always tarmac but very narrow and drivers do not mind cyclists
> at all, they are not used at all. Food is much better than in
> Tadjikistan, but sometimes only palau (rice, carrots, raisins, and
> meat; 1'5 $); bread is always fresh and excellent. Water is safe,
> mostly from pumps water, and pastries are delicious.
>
>
>
>
> From 2000 meters altitude, it was quite cold at end of October, and
> forget it after November. People is generally surprised but friendly,
> not English spoken but few youngsters in towns. And often they did not
> accept my money for food or meals. They always approached me asking
> 'kuja meri?' (Where are you going?), but sometimes they asked me how
> they can help me.
>
>
>
>
> Kabul is not safe as you know but as I look like a poor afghan, I have
> felt safe walking everywhere. In my opinion, for a humble tourist a
> bad experience (kidnapped or killed) only would happen in case of very
> bad luck, you know, wrong place-wrong time.
>
>
>
>
> At the city check point they tried to scare me and checked all my
> luggage, but a week before a British lady was shot from a motorbike. I
> have been walking even after sunset, and my Belgium friends go often
> for running with no problems, but things happen and kidnapping is
> frequent, I was said, mostly in the morning.
>
>
>
>
> Indian visa here is only 3 days waiting (65$, 6 months starting the
> date they issue). Pakistan visa is not since summer (I was told
> 'perhaps you will be refused'); I got only 15 days and it is not valid
> to go by road because Khyber pass is forbidden and in war situation
> right now. Of course, the southern crossing points are out of
> question.
>
>
>
>
> So, thanks to the tireless help of Mrs. Hilde (not my embassy, which
> faces were absolutely shock-panicking when I said I was cycling here),
> I have got a place with Red Cross aircraft to Peshawar, and my bicycle
> plus luggage are on they way by land today with an afghan refugee,
> friend of Mrs. Hilde.
>
> Thanks to Mr. Ken (very well-known man here, also cyclist, who was
> involved in helping me just 1 minute later to know me), I almost send
> my stuff with the Pakistan diplomats, but at the end they only offered
> me to carry the bicycle because the customs. Anyway, we are sure it
> will arrive tonight in Peshawar, inch allah.
>
>
>
>
> Coming from Pakistan, I have no idea about visas and permits, but it
> seems Pakistan is not likely going to issue permit for the tribal area
> between Peshawar and the border for the moment. Also most embassies do
> not issue letter of introduction for supporting application forms (as
> Spanish, for instances) so, I guess it is easier to apply for Pakistan
> visa in a country without your representation (here, when they asked
> me about that, I lied saying there was not Spanish embassy and, it was
> ok!)
>
>
>
>
> Well, my friends, I am closer to a highly wished month of rest in
> India. I am not only tired physically (very hard although stunning
> Kirguistan-Tadjikistan), but mentally; I need to stay in a place for a
> while without saying bye-bye everyday.
>
>
>
>
> As everybody knows, cyclists we can travel long distances because
> mostly this is a world full of good people, helpful and generous, that
> support us in many ways. Sometimes giving water, sometimes
> hospitality, shelter, whatever… so, I want to thank my friend Adam,
> who gave me all the info I asked for and always answered quickly.
>
>
> To Daisuke, the big master, who was very concern about my safety and
> made the contact with Mrs. Hilde here (amigo, nos vemos en Islamabad).
>
>
> To Mrs. Hilde, also cyclist, who hosts me, take care of me, feed me,
> and tireless has found solutions to my shipping problems; the best I
> can say is I have now a new very good friend. She is an angel.
>
>
> To Mr. Ken, also cyclist, not only for his generosity but the huge and
> spontaneous kindness to me; big man (my friend, I really appreciate
> your help; it was coming from a big heart).
>
>
> Oh, and thanks to Miguel, the policeman at the Spanish embassy, who
> offered me a cup of tea since the diplomats were only thinking
> 'please, leave the country as soon as possible and not make our life
> complicated.'
>
>
>
>
> I will write you on xmas about the stunning months in Central Asia mountains;
>
> With love
>
> salva
>
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Nov 12, 2008 3:03 PM
> Dear Daisuke,
>
> It was a pleasure for me to have Salva in my house.
>
> Salva was very lucky,he left Kabul without big problem because
> yesterday they killed an American in
> University town in Peshawar, near the place where he arrived with the RED
> Cross van.
>
> Take care all of you,
>
> Warmest wishes,
>
>
> Hilde

Subject: Cycling information-Pakistan

> Dear cyclist,
> I send you some my picture about Pakistan and also some information. I
> am with 2 Spanish cyclists right now. Alvaro also has website. He will
> give you some more information. www.biciclown.com
> biciclown@biciclown.com Salva does not have website. He cycled
> Afghanistan. salva2africa@yahoo.es
> We will go to Amritsal, Dalamsala together. Then we go different way.
> If you have some information about accommodation or nice place to see
> and so on, please let us inform. We will cycle northern India and
> Nepal. Thanks! I put some new story on my website.
> All the best!  Daisuke from Lahore
>
>
> 1. General information
> I (Japanese tourists) can get Pakistan one month tourist visa for
> free. But it is not always easy to get it. I got Pakistan visa at Sost
> border point without any problem. The only road border open at Sost
> (China) and Wagha(India) at this moment. (November 2008) It is
> dangerous to cycle west part of Pakistan near Afghanistan.
>
> 2. Climate
> Summer (May-September) will be nice season at northern Pakistan.
> Winter time is nice season at south Pakistan.
>
> 3. Highlight
> Karakorum and Himalaya mountain range at northern Pakistan.
>
> 4. Road and traffic
> The road condition of GT road is good. But many traffics and so much
> air pollutions there. Small roads are but road condition. Many police
> check points are everywhere. Policemen are usually friendly for
> foreigner.
>
> 5. Dangerous (be careful for...)
> Traffic accidents...many bad drivers of car,truck, bus, motorcycle, Rickshaw...
> Air pollutions. Dirty and spicy food.
> Land slides, rock fallen,
>
> 6. Transportation for cyclists
> It seems easy to put bicycle on the bus for small extra cost.
>
> 7. Accommodation
> It is easy to find safe place to sleep. If it is no hotel in the
> village, you can sleep at restaurant.(truck stops)
> Islamabad: Foreigner Camping site 50Rs..It is center of capital city.
> It is safe and quiet.
>
> 8. food
> Many Pakistan food are spicy.
>
> 9. How to get drinking water
> I could get free and safe drinking water from restaurant.
>
> 10. Money
> It is easy to change local money from US dollar or Euro. ATM is available.
>
> 11 Internet
> It cost about 0.3 US dollar (Internet at small villages are very slow
> connection)
>
> 12. Cost
> 1USdollar=80 Rs
> cheap Hotel(dormitory):1.5 US dollar, Local food(bread,beans,milk
> tea):1 US dollar, water 1.5 little:0.4 US dollar,
>
>
> --
> just now...Lahore, Pakistan(119th country):138,022 km http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: Mechanic problem

> Dear cyclist, how are you?
> I am traveling by bicycle in India alone right now......
> I was with Salva and Alvaro (2 Spanish cyclists) until 3 days ago. I
> was with Alvaro yesterday. I was happy to cycle with them and not big
> trouble at that time. But after I did alone, I got unhappy time.
> Alvaro and I separated to different way yesterday afternoon. When I
> climbed up small hill just 10 minutes we separated, my Chane of bike
> broke. I do not have spare Chane. I pushed and walked up to next
> village. I found bike repair shop. One old man was mechanic. He tried
> to fix it. He did not have SHIMANO Chane and tried to fix with local
> Indian peace of Chane. He did not use Chane cutter tool, just use
> Hammer. My Chane was totally damaged. But finally, it seems fixed.
>
> I started cycle again. But just 100m cycled, my Chane makes strange
> noise. I decided to go back village and take bus to next big town.
> Hoshiapur is next big town only 32 km from the village. I put my
> bicycle on the top of the bus. Suddenly bus driver try to start. I was
> hustled to put my 7 luggage quickly to the bus. It was terrible travel
> in this 32 km bus trip. The road was many curves and hills. Bus driver
> drive very fast like coaster. I was so scare about my bike hat will
> fell from the roof. But I was lucky, my bike and my all luggage and me
> arrived  Hoshiapur town without problem.
>
> I push my bike to bicycle shops. I visited bike shop to find SHIMANO
> Chane one by one. I could not find Shimano Chane at all 5 bike shops.
> At last I decided to buy Indian Chane. It cost 100 Rs = 2 US dollar.
> The young mechanic guy fix new Chane to my bike. He also does not use
> Chane cutter tool and he use just Hummer. When I left bike shop, just
> only 50 m, my Chane broke again. I went back the shop again and they
> gave me new Indian Chane... I can not cycle with this Chane..
>
> I decided to go to Ludhiana city to buy Shimano Chane in this morning.
> It is 80 km away. I took a but 2 and half hours to there. It is big
> city more than one million populated. But I could not find Shimano
> bicycle Chane at any bike shop... Ludhiana city is famous for Hero
> bike factory. They make 20000 bicycle a day. I visited this factory
> and asked to manager to get Shimano Chane. But they do not have it and
> they gave me Indian Chane. I was disappointed and came back two hours
> bus ride to Hoshiapur town. I will go to Delhi by bus to get Shimano
> Chane....I am not happy in this moment.
>
> Take care,  Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Hoshiapur,(Punjab), India(120th country):138,408 km
> http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: Mechanic problem 2

> Dear cyclist,
> I received several e-mails about my Chane problem so quickly from my
> good friends. Some of them mailed me so helpful that they can post me
> Chane. Some of them check by Internet and they found Shimano shops in
> Delhi.
> I will take a bus about 400 km from here to Delhi. I hope I can get
> Shimano Chane there tomorrow or after.
> I am a bit worry to take Indian bus. I must take care about my bicycle
> and 7 luggage and also about their terrible driving. I hope I can
> reach Delhi without problem...
> Best regards,
> Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Hoshiapur,(Punjab), India(120th country):138,408 km
> http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: mechanic problem-3

> Dear cyclist,
> I arrived Delhi yesterday. It was not so bad bus ride. It has 10
> minutes to put my bike and luggages before bus leave. I climbed up
> quickly to the roof of bus and put my bike, and luggeges. Just I put
> all my stuffs on the roof, bus driver started to move without say
> nothing. I hate Indian bus drivers. Because they do not think anything
> about customers and other traffics on the road. They make always very
> big horns . ...
> I visited 2 big bike market and several small bike shops today to buy
> new chain. I visited more than 20 shops. But I could not find Shimano
> chain at any shops. They have only shit Indian chains.... I was
> disappointed. I do not know what I can do...I will rest a few days....
>
> Well, I send you cycling story from my Spanish friend, Alvaro.
> www.biciclown.com biciclown@biciclown.com I will see him again
> probably at Nepal.
>
> Have a nice day!
> Daisuke from Delhi, India km:138,444 www.daisukebike.be
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Biciclown Bulletin http://www.biciclown.com/ing/06/boletines/boletining.html
>   1-12-2008
>
>
> November 2008
> Place Chandigarh (INDIA) (48 countries)
> Travelling days 1,473 ( 5th year)
> Km 55,485
>
> Hello from the Indian subcontinent.
>
> This bulletin gives you visual surprises you can discover if you click
> on the links offered.
>
>
> Pakistan stories
>
> -A flagship woman
> -Gobbing like mad
> -The cook, the Babussar and Fortasec
>
> Indian stories
>
> -Golden hospitality
>
>
>
> Biciclown on the CNN-Video
>
> Including images of the last performance at a School of street kids in
> Rawalpindi (Pakistan)
>
> Future plans
>
> Arriving in Katmandu on the 20th of December to welcome the great
> Roberto who comes to fulfil a promise. A visit a year anywhere in the
> Planet, wherever I am: Mali, Namibia, Ethiopia and Jordan have
> witnessed the arrival of this friend who I met when I was studying at
> the university of Pamplona.
>
> In Nepal I have contacted an NGO in charge of a School where I hope to
> offer my 46 show.
>
> Do visit my Web because in December my new book, a book with
> photographies taken in Africa, will see the light. There will even be
> some 500 copies edited in English.
>
> Filmina is preparing a new documentary on the days I have spent in
> Africa, it will be finished by Christmas and I hope it will be shown
> on some television channels.
>
> Greetings from India, Namaste, Alvaro Neil the Biciclown.
>
>
>
> To contact Biciclown: e-mail: biciclown@biciclown.com SKYPE: biciclown
> +88216 5016 0770 thuraya satelit phone
>
> Ceremony at the India-Pakistan borderSalva, Daisuke and Biciclown in
> the fort of Lahore, Pakistan

Subject: mechanic problem-4

> Dear cyclist,
> I received many warm e-mails from many friends. Thanks a lot. I could
> find my solution. My Israel friend Mr. Ilan send me chain and tools
> and some spare parts by DHL to my hotel in Delhi. I will wait to
> receive it. I will go to sightseeing to Rajastan by bus tomorrow to 4
> days, then come back to Delhi. I will receive it next week. Several my
> good friends ask me to send me chains to Delhi. I am so happy to
> receive these warm messages. Thanks a lot!!
> Best wishes,  Daisuke
>
> -----------------------------------
> Wednesday, December 3, 2008
> Hey man !I have sent you the bicycle components this morning through
> israel air mail.You are going to get it in maximum 4 days.keep in
> touch !:Ilan Shaul Schwebel Nitzan Bike Store Jaffa street 137
> Jerusalem Israel PEACE AND LOVE !If you need information about
> instoling the components on your bike you can get it on
> www.youtube.com or feel free to call me or contuct me by email. Ilan
> ------------------------------------
>
> --
> just now...Delhi,India(120th country):138,418 km http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: mechanic problem-4

> Dear cyclist,
> I received many warm e-mails from many friends. Thanks a lot. I could
> find my solution. My Israel friend Mr. Ilan send me chain and tools
> and some spare parts by DHL to my hotel in Delhi. I will wait to
> receive it. I will go to sightseeing to Rajastan by bus tomorrow to 4
> days, then come back to Delhi. I will receive it next week. Several my
> good friends ask me to send me chains to Delhi. I am so happy to
> receive these warm messages. Thanks a lot!!
> Best wishes,  Daisuke
>
> -----------------------------------
> Wednesday, December 3, 2008
> Hey man !I have sent you the bicycle components this morning through
> israel air mail.You are going to get it in maximum 4 days.keep in
> touch !:Ilan Shaul Schwebel Nitzan Bike Store Jaffa street 137
> Jerusalem Israel PEACE AND LOVE !If you need information about
> instoling the components on your bike you can get it on
> www.youtube.com or feel free to call me or contuct me by email. Ilan
> ------------------------------------
>
> --
> just now...Delhi,India(120th country):138,418 km http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: mechanic problem 5 - repaired!!!

> Dear cyclist, I repaired new chain.
> I received right tool to remove the old kaset and chain, weelchain,
> new 8 speed Kaset and krankset from Ilan Shaul who is my Israel
> friend. He posted me by EMS. It takes only 4 days from Israel to my
> Hotel in New Delhi. I fixed new Shimano weelchain today. My bike is
> very well after that. Thanks a lot Ilan and also many my friends wrote
> me advises. Ilan is bike mechanic in Jerusalem, Israel. When I was
> there last year, he helped me very well to change some bike parts. He
> also has many experiences of bicycle travel at different countries and
> he knows very well about my situation.
>
> Ilan Shaul Schwebel ronis74@013.net
> Nitzan Bike Store Jaffa street 137 Jerusalem Israel
>
> I will leave Delhi the day after tomorrow.
> Best wishes,  Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Delhi,India(120th country):138,469 km http://www.daisukebike.be

Subject: Pamir Highway --- report from Salva Rodrigues

> Dear cyclist,
> I received e-mail about cycling report Pamir Highway, Central Asia
> from Salva who is Spanish around the world cyclist.. It is very
> popular place to cycle on the earth. I share his report to you. Enjoy
> to read it!
> Take care of you, Daisuke
>
> --
> just now...Delhi,India(120th country):138,418 km http://www.daisukebike.be
>
> -------------------------------
> From:  salva rguez (salva2africa@yahoo.es)
>
> dear all,
>
> delicious food, beautiful scenery, clean air, comfortable
> accomodation, and everything so cheap than even i can treat myself
> here. i am in macleodganj, 10 kms uphill dharamsala, india. the very
> wished rest has come true. but the way was not easy...
>
> after taskent i left my cyclist mates and went alone into kyrgyzstan,
> i wanted to go to a remote area called chatkal valley. i was refused
> at the closer border, so i took me almost 3 more days than i planned
> to reach ala-buka (and almost a night jail with stupid juniors of the
> army).
> kyrgyzstan is a wonderful country for cyclists, i have met many, but
> nobody there, almost no roads, often no bridges. few villages and
> little food to buy but homemade bread. as it uses to be in this sort
> of places, scenery is super, but i would say that it was the mix of
> lonelyness-beauty what makes the wonder of the valley. little
> development and lots of nature.
> after that i turned eastwards. easy tarmac road to join the main road
> osh-bishkek, but very soon the turn-off to song-kol is again a rough
> road.
> well, what can i say about this country? song-kol (a lake at 3000 m.),
> issyk-kol, the glaciers road in the very east... it was a very very
> good time, but exhausting. also the bicycle was damaged. i fixed it in
> bishkek with the help of mr. anton, who is famous between long
> distance cyclists. well, to be honest, i would not recommend him but
> there was no option. his work was not good and he also did a bad job
> with daisuke's bicycle some weeks later.
>
> to get a visa for tadjikistan is not easy here anymore: new consul. so
> now, you need a LOI but still pamir permit is included in the 50$ visa
> fee.
> so with right papers i crossed the country to osh through the main
> road which is very quiet and beautiful. there, in osh, i met a brave
> cyclist who is trying to cross siberia in winter, mr. bastian
> (bastiendemange@gmail.com), very nice guy, and a beautiful story.
> i met mr. jan, a french cyclist travelling from singapour to france.
> he asked me 'may i know you?', yes, i knew him as well... we met 14-16
> months ago in southafrica. he was backpacking and we had spoken. he
> decided to do a trip by bicycle then! and.... more than a year later,
> we met again in osh! incredible, i have become a man with a mission:
> to spread cyclotourism!
>
> anyway, i left kyrgyzstan towards pamir. 2 more rough passes before
> the order and a view of a lifetime: sarytash meadows. you just see
> from east to west, in front of your tent, a huge white range with some
> 6000 m peaks and the lenina peak (7000). really great.
> the tayik border is after the pass, but still over 4000 m., and first
> they gave me tea, biscuits and jam. when i recovered myself from the
> effort, coldness and altitude, they asked me for the passport. very
> good people.
>
> pamir was great, you know, this is one of the top ten places for
> cyclists. but not so late. early october was very very cold. the wind
> freezes you and somedays i could not cycle because of the storms.
> still, the place is amazing. it remained me western tibet with these
> huge glacier valleys.
> i left the highway (which is mostly paved) to the wakhan valley.
> people said also the highway is beautiful, i do not know. what i can
> say is that whakhan has extremely bad road but is stunning. the views
> of hindukush (7000), and all the snowed peaks, make you smile even if
> you are breathless pushing through the stones or sand. there was
> little food but homemade meals. but, if the weather is bad and no
> views, i would suggest to take the highway road, you know, suffering
> for nothing...
>
> i was lucky, the bad weather started when i arrived in khorog, end of
> the valley.
> from here, the road follows the amudarya canyon, between
> afghanistan-tadjikistan, and it is also spectacular, sometimes very
> rough and risky because slides.
> when i jumped into the lowlands... well, end of the views but a relief
> for my muscles. i was very tired.
>
> then i crossed to afghanistan, as you know because the last email.
> just tell that finally my bicycle crossed with an afghan refugee,
> thanks to mrs. hilde, and i flew with the red cross. so, my bicycle
> and i met again in a photocopy shop at peshawar (hilde, my dear, i
> still can believe it sometimes. it was very risky, but it worked...
> you are great!).
> i left peshawar the day some talibans killed a US worker in.. the same
> street than red cross left me...
> happy to leave such a funny area, i went to islamabad where the party
> was waiting. i met daisuke there for the third time (addis abeba,
> isphahan), www.daisukebike.be, and alvaro, for the second time (tehran
> to taskent), www.biciclown.com.
>
> we have been cycling toguether until here, dharamsala, sharing jokes,
> stories, plans for future, information, tips, and sometimes... even
> the bed! it has been a big honour for me to be able to learn humanity
> from the big japanese, but i was not successful in my attempt to teach
> spanish sense of humour to daisuke! we have to cycle one more time
> again, my friend, laddak next summer!
>
> and well, pakistan is not my favourite country. it is too polluted and
> crowdy, but punjab in india was not better. even noisier. but at
> least, you can see the half of the planet again: women!
> then, straight to the mountains, which has little less traffic and
> pollution. the rest is making me feel better slowly slowly and i have
> a plan for next year.
> despite the traffic and the indians, i will cycle down and up the
> country, cross to nepal, and back to india in summer for cycling in
> laddak. after monzoon, 2 months of trekking in nepal, and later i will
> look for the chance to get a boat to thailand or malaysia from
> calcutta. i know there are little posibilities but, hey, after the
> mess leaving afghanistan, everything can be possible!
>
> well, some points about central asia mountains:
> - kyrgyzstan was ok even september, most passes over 3000 m, it snows
> from time to time but little, lower temperature -1 inside the tent.
> - i strongly recommend chatkal valley (west) and the 'road'  barskoon
> pass (4000) to narym. is very off road or not a road at all. both
> places you have to carry food for 4-5 days
> - most cyclists go around issy-kol (east) and song-kol (center). very
> beautiful sceneries and no problems with food or roads.
> - roads...everything from nice tarmac to very light track on the
> surface. up to you. russian maps are excellent.
> - people... i did not like them too much. the men were always drunk.
> the nomads are friendly but not as the mongolian or tibetans.
> - about pamir, i would say october is not a good month but people said
> bad weather can happen in july too. lower temperature -6 inside the
> tent. mostly pamir over 4000 m.
> - you have to carry food as much as you can (specially if you take
> wakhan valley) and eat with locals when you have the chance in order
> to save your own food.
> - khorog and murghab are the two places to buy food, enough but basic supplies.
> - water can be a problem in pamir highway. where there is a point
> water, fill up all bottles.
> - people in pamir and whakhan is excellent, very friendly and helpful.
>
> well, my friends, i hope you enjoy the next couple of weeks, merry
> xmas and happy new year to all, i wish you a year full of good times.
> with love,
> salva