Altitude

À partir de la 45e journée de vélo (8 juillet) et en partance d’Almaty, nous commencerons une section particulière de notre parcours puisque nous devrons pédaler en altitude: ce sera tout un défi! Je vous en parlerai davantage une fois le défi commencé, mais pour vous mettre dans l'ambiance, je joins le texte suivant qui présente un peu ce qui nous attend ainsi qu'une photo de l'itinéraire.

Bulletin #19
info@tdaglobalcycling.com

Cycling at High Altitude

The Silk Route will pass through areas of high elevation with a maximum cycling elevation of 4664m and a maximum sleeping elevation of 4250m.  The stretch of the tour where this occurs is in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

What Happens When You Are at High Altitude?
The partial pressure of oxygen decreases as altitude increases. What this really means for you is that you will have to breathe faster and your heart will have to beat quicker to get the same amount of oxygen. You will feel sort of breath, get tired faster and you will not be able to exert yourself to your normal level.
You will likely start to feel the effects of high altitude around 2500m. Everyone feels the effects of altitude differently and will acclimatize differently but almost everyone will feel short of breath with exertion and have difficulty sleeping. The next most common symptom at high altitude is a head ache. Head aches will often resolve after approximately 24 hours and can also be treated with anti-inflammatory pain medications like ibuprofen. There are also more serious illnesses that can occur at high altitude, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).

What Can You Do to Prepare and Prevent Problems at Altitude?
First talk to your doctor before departure and tell them the altitudes you will be cycling at. Carry any recommended medications with you on the trip and take as prescribed.
Don’t over exert yourself while at high altitudes (I know this is a cycling trip but this is the perfect time to take it easy, ride slower, ride half days, or ride the van). It is normal to feel more fatigued and short of breath, give yourself a break! Even after acclimatizing you should not expect to perform to the same level as you do at sea level (remember there’s less oxygen!)
Stay hydrated and…stay away from alcohol…

Tentative Schedule of Campsite Altitudes
Stage 45 - 810m
Stage 46 - 1825m
Stage 47 - 1500m
Rest Day – 1500m
Stage 48 - 1620m
Stage 49 - 1700m
Stage 50 - 2025m (max elevation for day 3025m)
Stage 51 - 1715m
Stage 52 – 2015m
Stage 53 - 845m (max elevation for day 3000m)
Stage 54 – 1000m
Rest Day – 1000m
Stage 55 - 1600m
Stage 56 – 3150m
Stage 57 - 3350m
Stage 58 - 3950m (max elevation for day 4280m)
Stage 59 - 4250m
Stage 60 - 3600m (max elevation for day 4664m)
Rest Day - 3600m
Stage 61 - 3875m
Stage 62 - 3550m (max elevation for day 4280m)
Stage 63 - 2100m