BY TANDEM ON THE HIGH ROAD TO CHINA

John Rhodes (New Zealand)

John and Ann Rhodes of Greytown, in the south of New Zealand's North Island, describe riding their tandem Apollo over the Karakoram Highway, from northern Pakistan into China. They were accompanied by fellow-New Zealanders, Dave Turnbull and Chris Peterson.

Both now enjoying retirement, John and Ann regularly take time out from their smallholding to sample the pains and joys of cycling and walking in the more challenging parts of the world. And that includes the mountains and gorges of their native New Zealand, where John edits a magazine for walkers (or 'trampers' as the Kiwis call them).

In the photograph, Margaret (centre) says farewell to Ann and John in their home town. The tandem 'Apollo' is seen at rest in John's well-equipped workshop.

John writes: “The Karakoram Highway had its difficult side: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, altitude-induced headaches, breathing and sleeping difficulties, loss of appetite, hacking coughs, chapped lips, unwashed bodies, freezing nights, punctures, a stove that wouldn't go, and dust and finely divided animal dung that got into everything. I don't regret it a bit.”