Day 13 | Floja to Mushroom Farm | Gorode Pass Distance: 63.3 km | Terrain: Flat lakeshore to Chitimba, then brutal sustained climb | Final 8 km: 3 hours Today was the day I took on Gorode Pass, and this climb should come with a warning label. The first 50 km took three hours: long, steady, manageable. The final 8 km up to Mushroom Farm? Also three hours. That should tell you everything. The climb launches straight out of Chitimba and just keeps going. Endless gradients, switchbacks stacked on top of each other, rock gardens masquerading as a road. At one point a goat overtook me. By halfway I'd accepted my fate. By three-quarters I was bargaining with higher powers. Near the top I was questioning every life choice I've ever made. If Gorode Pass had a personality, it would be that gym instructor who smiles while adding more weight to the bar. But the views and the pancakes at the top? Priceless. After eight hours on the bike, rolling into Mushroom Farm felt like discovering Shangri-La.