Had another very good day with temperatures at 30 deg +, and I am still slapping on the sun screen. Have been on the roof top terrace of the Hiadong East Sea Resort hotel and spent time watching a spider that was at least 2 and a half inches in diameter, in fact China seems populated by huge spiders! The town is 2100m above sea level. Rode about 43 miles today, it was difficult, with a 10 kilometer climb, I was almost (but not quite) in bottom gear! The ride down was great and there at the bottom was the most monstrous cement works I have ever seen, it had 3 kilns. I imagine some of the cement from there finds its way to Britain, as we have started importing Chinese cement. Had coffee in a ... read more

Had an excellent day today, and are on schedule. Temperature about 30 degC, I have applied masses of factor 30 and still managed a sunburnt nose and a very red face!. Covered about 60 miles today, it's been an easier ride though, following valleys, I estimate that we quite high, are about 2500m above sea level. The best bit is NO MOSQUITOS!! The whole area is very interesting. I have never seen so many, many concrete fence-post manufacturing businesses. Have also seen bricks being made out of coal dust and water. They mix the dust etc by standing barefooted in the vats and walking around, they workers are absolutely black!!( great film and photo opportunities!). Have passed many small holdings, with everyone cultivating their own little bit. Have left the maize and rice growing areas and ... read more

Day 1 and have arrived at the Ju Hua Inn in Shaqiao. Only rode for about 12 miles today, an easy first day. Our coach transported us out of Kunming, mainly because it is a very busy city and the roads are extremely dangerous to cyclists. The countryside reminds me of India. There are many, many people working at the side of the roads wearing the traditional coolie hats. There are stationary engines on trailers providing power and have seen some brickworks. Have just eaten a delicious Chinese banquet, the second in two days, it is a good job cycling burns off the calories or their would be weight problems pretty soon! Having an early night tonight in preparation for some arduous riding tomorrow.... read more

Well, just 11 days to go before I take the flight to Beijing and on to Kunming via Helsinki. I am looking forward to this trip, having just seen the BBC "Wild China" DVD, which covers much of this area. I have serviced my Pendle touring bike and put on some new 700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres to cope with the rough roads, cobbles and tracks we will encounter. My new HD video camera has been tried out and should be OK to record this amazing country. All my paperwork, visas etc are in place and a minimum kit list prepared, although it could be cool cycling up at the 3000 metres and will need a few extra layers. We also go in a cable car to 4500 metres. Brrr. I can't wait.... read more

Sunday I arrived in Melbourne severly sleep deprived and after a snack at a local cafe near Paul's girl friend Kat's flat we went on a trip to St Kilda and mingled in the melee of the annual St Kilda street event. St Kilda is a lot like Brighton with a broad mix of life coasting the streets and many shops selling wayout gear. Geelong then called and bed. Monday I rebuilt my bike and broke the seat pin securing bolt. I managed to find a cycle shop and buy a replacement - back in business. An hour in bed was now required to recover from such strain and then an attempt at getting lost in Geelong. Much bigger than Clitheroe. Tuesday I was ready for action and was away on my bike at 8.30am. Whilst ... read more