Archive for August 2011
600km to Beijing: In Fenyang
August 31, 2011 | 
Author The past 2 days has seen us ride over some awesome countryside. The downside beside the hills was that we could not see that far due to the smog 
We covered 183 and 191 km, 2 big days but we needed too so we can finish this coming Sunday.
Andrews bee sting has gone down as well as his rear wheel with puntures 
I am smiling when I write this as I had many flat tires along the way. So far 3 days with not 1.
OK, below is the tracks…
Posted in 
another day on the saddle 123km
This morning we woke up at 7.30am and headed to breakfast. Not your normal kiwi breakfast but good enough for us to go for another bike ride
We left just after 9am and we felt ok after such a big day yesterday. After a while I noticed Andrew behind me and with me not pushing I was pulling away. I stopped to see if he was ok and he show me his left hand. Last night he got stung by a bee when taking off his top. His hand had grown twice the size and looked like well, you decide (See below). We stopped off at the next town to find a chemist and some tablets for him to take to take the swelling away.
We had planned for a 150 -160km day however once I saw the hand we knew it was not going to happen. He sat behind me for a while and then took a lead. Amazing what coke does to a tired body, I had to give it heaps to keep up and eventually we arrived in Jinbian. Found a hotel, cleaned up and went for a meal and look around.
With a week to go we are feeling more relaxed however there is still work to be done. We need to keep focused for another week and then we can rest up and do whatever.
NZ Herald article: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10747775
Saturday 27 August the NZ Herald did an update on the trip. Click on the link to read it.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10747775
Getting closer… less than 1050km to Beijing
Today was a big push to Dingblan, another day of nearly 200km. We had head winds for the day. To make the day “shorter” we had to take some smaller roads as we are now not allowed on the motorways and the state roads would add another 40 or sop kn onto the day. The road we took turned into a Kazakhstan road, full of pot holes and rough as guts. Eventually, after nearly 10hrs of riding we made it to the hotel.
We now only have to do about 150km each day for 7 days to get to Beijing on Sunday. It sounds a lot however our bodies are used to it plus the roads conditions make it easier.
We are now in Zhongning. All o…
We are now in Zhongning. All ok. We are 1200km to Beijing. Planned DOA Sept 4 @ 2pm Tian’Anmen Rostrum. Meet us if you can:-)
In Shandan
What a week of huge km’s. Over 1000km this past week and today was an easier day to try and relax a little. So far China has been ok. We have been pushing it so have not seen a lot. Communicating with people is difficult, even with the translation book. People have stopped to talk with us but… In the other countries I was able to communicate with my English, Czech and small knowledge of other languages. Here in China its all new and hard to keep up with whats what. Even so, Andrew and I are on the bike most days. Its less than 2 weeks (and under 2000km) to go before we get to Beijing and the adventure is completed. We have covered a lot of km each day and are shattered most evenings. We find that people are over charging us for things, mostly hotel rooms. Today we are staying in a room that normally costs 80RMB but we are charged 160RMB and they tell us thats its for 2 people. The price on the wall says one thing but what can we do. I am tired of the bartering, the last time something like this happened I got angry and Andrew and I left, had a feed and then cycled another 50km and camped out. It was a nice camp. Anyway, below are the tracks of the trip since the last update. Next update we will be closer to Beijing (As usual)
Just arrived in Yumen. Afterno…
Just arrived in Yumen. Afternoon off as we have pushed it a lot in China. Camped out last 2nights. Time for shower and shave
100km to Shanshan… head winds +
Today was a head wind and a bit of climbing. Breakfast was late at 8.30am and we started about 9.30am. Add the heat, I did not feel too well (lack of sleep) so Andrew did most of the leading. We got to Shanshan after a challenging 5 hrs. Found a book store to buy a tourist map (In Chinese) so we can more or less work out how far each town will be, then a place to crash to crash.
Walk around the town which was good, a lot of green areas and then had dinner, noodles with veg.
Tomorrow we will have an early start so we can do many km’s before the heat of the day.
Yesterday Andrew and I had a massage which felt good afterwards however today my legs were not firing.
Lets see how far we go tomorrow, and hopefully I will feel better with a good nights sleep.
In Turpan
Another 3 days and we arrived in Turpan. It is said that this is the hottest part of China and we agree
Both are well and bikes are in good order. We had a few flat tires but other than that, the good roads are making it a little easier.
Andrew and I have talked about arriving in Beijing in 100 days. That means an average of 155km every day now for 3 weeks. Its going to be hard but I think we can do it. It was our plan when we were in Almaty the 1st time, with the delay leaving Kazakhstan it just makes it a bit (a lot) harder.
We are not able to upload new pics as we can not access facebook. Will do that later.
For now, we ride and ride and ride… plus a few stops to fix flat tires and eat some food
3 days days hard riding, 132, …
3 days days hard riding, 132, 161, 185. Roads good but getting many flat tires. Are in Kuitunshi. Both well.
