8 INCROYABLE months on a bike!

Asia » China » Xinjiang
March 21st 2014

Published: April 21st 2014

I still can’t believe it’s over. It’s actually been a while now. After cycling from Gansu Province to Xinjiang, then on to the <em style="line-height: 1.428571429;">Stans , Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, I am back with Becky in Beijing, China. I have a good job (back to teaching) and surprisingly often enough the sky is amazingly blue over the city. Of course there ... Read Full Entry

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Jeremy Chiron

Jeremyaroundtheworld

I am a 36-year old language teacher, currently working in Beijing. I was born in France but China has been my home for many years. I taught French and English in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, for 6 years. I never thought I would stay in China for such a long time but it’s been an amazing experience! Professionally speaking, teaching Chinese students is extremely rewarding. They are so hard-working and eager to learn new things. And then China… there aren’t enough words to describe this intricate (hence fascinating) country. “China is not to be liked or disliked: i... full info

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On the road outside Wuwei.

Chinese people and tourists thought I was the man...

A hug Buddha at Wuwei, Gansu

That was worth a trip!

I am not the only one riding around Wuwei, Gansu

in Gansu, far away from any city

enjoying fresh air but it was very windy already. I didn't take many pictures of the road or my bike at the beginning of my adventure. I only focused on what i thought looked pretty.

First time catching a glimpse of the mountains.

I was very excited! I was all alone.

getting around Mati Si (temple)

in June, flowers were everywhere. It was gorgeous! And there were very few people around.

beautiful Gansu, in-between Wuwei and Mati Si

At mati Si, Gansu. I stopped there for a few days.

beautiful nature in a remote Tibetan community. I could easily go back there on holidays. Good life!

I did a bit of hiking in Mati Si. The weather was great!

Mati Si, Gansu. June 2013

As I climbed up I found ice and snow up the mountain.

Coming from a big Chinese city in the South of the country, I was pretty excited to find snow!

Riding to Guan Yin Dong

to visit some ancient Buddhist grottoes.

June is magical in this part of the country

the bike without the panniers

I then arrived in Zhangye where I had to get some rest after being sick for a few days (food poisoning?)

here is the Black Pearl

on my way to Dan Xiao Di Mao geopark (rock formations in the back)

hiking around Da Xia Di mao

Gansu Province

A very beautiful surprise

this place wasn't in any guidebook at the time and there were hardly any tourist but things will change...

amazing!

Thank you Becky for leading me to this World Wander!

at Bing Gou Canyon, next to Dan Xia geopark

another day of exploring all alone... where is everyone?!

These people kindly invited me to share their dinner in Zhangye

on a rainy and windy day in northern Gansu...

Mr Guo lives in Gansu and likes to ride on the weekend. But as you can see, his bike is totally different. I enjoyed meeting all kinds of people on my trip.

on that one day I ended up riding 200km in the rain

I wanted to stop many times but every time I asked, people told me it had been raining for days... I was soaked but figured I should just keep going since the next day would be as miserable anyway. I look okay on this pic, but this is just for the photo! I was so tired and angry at the elements! long challenging day of riding!

21st April 2014

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

I was so happy to hear that Becky wants to join you next time...
I thought it was going to be a choice between her and the road. Now you can "have your cake and eat it too." The TB community looks forward to your completion of the Silk Road and your blogs. Meanwhile blog about life in China with Becky...and the joys of teaching languages. And you might go back and tell about your life in the U.S. and Australia.

22nd April 2014

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Fantastic summary!
Thanks for the lovely summary of your incredible bike trip, I especially loved reading about the encounters you had with local people. Even after just a month away, putting on work clothes and shoes seemed odd - so I can imagine how you felt going back to city and working life again. Hope you hear about your next adventures soon! :)

22nd April 2014

denidax
Deni, Dax and Ella

Congratulations! What I loved the most is how extremely happy you look on all your photos! Please, don't stop blogging after this. All the best

23rd April 2014

auspicious
Michelle Duer

How surreal! I loved these lines: "Yes, I had to cook my own food; I often didn’t have running water (rivers), and on a few nights it got very cold (my water bottles froze inside my tent on many occasions) but I didn’t owe anything to anyone. It was just me and the stars, the birds and I, the dunes and I, and the sound of water or the ice-cracking at night." -- such a liberating and self-aware journey!

23rd April 2014

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Freedom on the open road...
Great summary of a most amazing journey! I love the freedom that you got, stopping where ever you wanted and seeing things up close, better than in a bus or car. Fabulous encounters with the locals that touched my heart, too. I'm sure you and Becky will have some adventures in China, so I look forward to those. Bon voyage!

23rd April 2014

At Lake Karakol, south of Kashgar, on the way to Pakistan

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

I CAN DO ANYTHING
Fabulous adventure...fabulous achievement...how wonderful you could share it...with locals...with Becky...and with your TB friends in the ether. While memories may fade over time you have zillions of great photos to relive and revive your soul. But one thing that will remain with you I am sure...is the knowledge that you can do anything you set your mind to...yep...anything.

9th May 2014

ingnova
Ingrida

Thanks for sharing
This last log sums it up, how incredible it was. Amazed about organizing all gear for such grand trip and puzzled what part of Europe would be nice to cycle, may be Finland for me in the summer.. Welcome to the Baltics if you ever make to this part :) Sure, its nothing of significance of nature like isolated mountains and deserts of Asia. yes, better lets keep dreaming :)

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8 INCROYABLE months on a bike!

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