Blogs from Changping, Beijing, China, Asia - page 4

The ride up to Mutianyu section of the great wall is a mild 5-10% grade (except for the last 500 metres, which is a bit steeper). It is a constant pattern of climbs and short flat runs over a distance of about 20 km from Houairou. The road is wide, with good, clear shoulders and it is (mercifully) free of traffic; then again, this is the "low" season. With legs burning, we arrive at the bottom of the great wall. I feel like I have hit the wall in more ways than one. The ride up is definitely worth it. We et a glimpse of the road through to Bohai and beyond. It looks much thr same as what we have ridden on. It is a pity that we did not have another day to explore ... read more

The route to Juyongguan (Juyong Pass) and Badaling starts at the Changping Circle. Take the western exit from the circle to follow the Badaling Expressway. Follow the Badaling Expressway about 4 km (2.5 miles) past a new theme park (was being built in ctober 2008). Shortly pat this point, turn left under the Badaling Expressway and then turn right tohead North West towards Nankou. You are on the S216. At times (it seemed) the road was marked G110? Ride through Nankou, straight across the first roundabout that you come to, and then under the train line. Look for a sweeping turn right. This will take you back towards the Badaling Expressway. The road, has been rising slightly for some time, now starts a gradual (no more than 5-10% grade) into the mountain area. The climb is ... read more

Another uphill ride and a climb up the wall. With a new tyre and a good night’s sleep, yesterday's problems are forgotten. After a breakfast - which is a most ridiculous fiasco that defies written description (look for a guest blog from Karen on this) things look even better. In the light of day, we find our way to the Goose N Duck Ranch. We are the only residents in this huge facility . It is two days into the "low" season. This is a bit the same as the "high" season. The rates are the same, but there are no guests, no hot water, no towels and you have to make your own bed. Many hotels turn off their hot water in the "low" season. It seems to the locals like a perfectly rational action. ... read more

In which we depart Beijing for Changping and the Great Wall. We depart our hotel. 250 meters to the Birds Nest Stadium past the Water Cube and turn right out of town. We are following the Badaling Expressway. This is the same route of the men's Olympic cycling road race. We are not doing it quite as fast. I blame the traffic for our slow pace, but secretly suspect that a lack of years of training and dedication, drugs and an extra 30 kilograms is probably the real reason. Karen has far more close encounters with cars on the way than I do. She claims to have developed a high pitched Chinese chant that wards off evil and protects her from oncoming traffic - but I know a scream when I hear one. Her chant lets ... read more

Today was another good day. We went to the Cotton Market which is basically an indoor flea market with "knock-off" goods. We got 5 purses total, all Versace and Dolce & Gabana for $65USD. Linda purchased 2 IPOD Nano's for $25USD and we both bought 5 Rolex watches for 50USD. For lunch we had KFC and it was the greatest! I totally hogged down(hoggzilla a.ka. Snickers a'la way of Jossalyn):) I then did the evening at the spa here in the hotel. I received an Aromatherpy bath (30 minutes) and a traditional Chinese Massage (1 hour). No words. I had a private suite to myself that housed the bath and massage, but also a rain shower and seperate restroom. My "bath"tician and massues was named Sky and this was by far the 2nd best massage I ... read more