Blogs from Gansu, China, Asia - page 6

DESERT CAMP: 13 June 2014. 127kms distance. Today was my second day in the vehicle. Ok but you certainly experience China more when on the bike. The scenery changed from lush vegetation to desert terrain within 20 Kms. Dramatic change. When arrived at camp site it literally felt like desolation. But as the morning passed, it's beauty grew on me. Vast emptiness. Then the wind, cold and rain arrived, the temperature dropping 15C within 15 minutes. Very cold. 2 hrs later it cleared and the mountain range with snow caps appeared briefly before being hidden behind cloud again. The cyclists began arriving talking tales of woe about rain, headwinds, and cold. A little tent city grew, looking interesting. A subdued afternoon largely spent in the tent because of coolness. Prior to dinner, wind abated and we ... read more

WUWEI - REST DAY 10.6.14 Slept in until 8.30 which was great. I don't realise how tired I am come rest day, after waking at 4.30-4.45 am daily, mediocre breakfast, then cycling 125-150 Kms. Passed on Chinese breakfast today and set off to explore WUWEI. This city of probably 1 million + citizens, is not as skyscraper ridden as many other Chinese cities. Buildings generally no more than 5 levels. Every thing is sandy colour, or that might just be dust. Last night ate a tasty meal of Eastern Muslim delights, lamb on the bone, spicy beef, green Bok type veg., and chicken. Meals cooked with mild chilli, cumin, and other similar spices. 1 beer each, for 4 people, $10- ea. Wandered widely this morning and fell upon a sprawling street market, selling mainly foods- meats, ... read more

WUWEI. 9.6.14 Distance: 141 Kms SubT. 2596 Kms Bal 9,906 Kms Road Condition: country roads. Ok. Weather: sunny and smoggy Cooler, COLD start Time in Saddle: 6 hrs Av Speed: av. 24 kph. Av Cadence. Rpm Elevation: 1530 m : Decent 1800m Calories burned : E 4250 Set out at 7 am. Quite cool- cold, but unfortunately warmer clothing in other bag on the truck. Both bags out tonight as it's a rest day tomorrow, so will reorganise bag for future camping. 6 nights on the trot. Should be a challenge. Road today was ok and the scenery was barren mountains, vegetable plantings and an incredible number of long trains, both passenger and freight and ore/ coal. On route met a truck driver and road engineer, both of whom wanted photos with me. Felt like a ... read more

Geo: 36.0757, 103.679There really is something special about traveling, especially when you wake up in a different place. The sun was slowly rising and filling the train carriage. The strange landscape kept racing past. I had my camera ready to catch a glimpse of something special and different.By the time we had arrived at the Louzhou train station at 9:18am everyone was up. They had breakfast. Most of the kids had the 2 minute instant noodles where you just add the boiling water.We had another guide waiting for us. On the bus we all went.First stop, The Waterwheel Garden. OK. The chinese love their gardens. The guide asked us if we wanted to go on a boat made of sheep skin that goes on the Yellow river.We walked down the stairs past the Huge Waterwheel and ... read more

Geo: 40.15, 94.68We ordered a Western Breakfast. It was Coffee and one fried egg.That was it?After our exciting breakfast we jumped into the bus and off we went to visit the Yumen Pass which is part of the Silk Road. We drove and drove.There was literaly nothing around. Just sand and more sand and a few bushes.We stopped to buy tickets to get into the Area and we all got out to stretch our legs.The kids asked, “Can we run?”“Sure,” we all yelled, “GO?”Well they ran and ran until we could hardly see them in the distance.Well I suppose they cant get too lost?It was a really odd feeling that in China you could be so far away of civilization. The cities of China are so crowded and here we where really in the middle of ... read more