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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We also made it to Turpan, an oasis of grapes in the desert

Tajik minority girl dancing in Xinjiang

enjoying the sun and time off my bike in Tian Chi, Xinjiang

Great life!

Becky and her mom. July 2013

"so you don't have a job, you don't have a house, and you want to 'play' on your bike in Central Asia for a whole year...? And I should be happy that my daughter is dating you?!"

Becky in Turpan, Xinjiang

Visiting Turpan oasis

greenery among the dry hills

in Turpan, the hottest place in China!

the Flaming Mountains

Becky's Mom spoiled me with delicious food

and more meat every day! Thank you!

with young Uighur men in Urumqi

Enjoying Xinjiang barbecued lamb in Urumqi!

Embracing the culture...

Urumqi, July 2013

back on the road! outside Urumqi

entering the Tian Shan

the Celestial Mountains. Becky's Mom had told me it would be very hard and it was! Uphill for 2 or 3 days (I forgot) but the road was so scenic!

first night of camping. fewer people here in Xinjiang

Enjoying the Tian Shan Mountains

Oreos + banana break!

in the Tian Shan

my road!

it was so sunny 10 minutes ago!

And now it's snowing??!! Give me a break! It was hard. Too many pebbles and gravel... I did cry. i was so tired but so excited at the same time.

I made it!

It was hard, it was all gravel and sand, it started snowing, but I rode up here!

my hiphop friend, the herder!

in Xinjiang! he pulled his phone out and asked me to translate a few songs into Chinese, then he danced for me... Xinjiang moon walk, rotating on his back, hand stands... haha! Quality!

good morning Xinjiang!

one of my absolute best memories! It was so beautiful and peaceful! wild flowers everywhere and the sound of the river right by my tent.

best place to camp!

I could have stayed there longer. Probably my favorite spot for camping in Xinjiang. I want to go back to the Tian Shan!

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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