For almost one third of the year, we have been eating, sleeping, camping and biking together - all working together towards a common goal - to bike over 10,000km through 8 countries (we flew over one of them!!) from Istanbul,Turkey to Beijing, China!!
We arrived safely here into Beijing yesterday at approx 12:30pm. The first stop before celebrating at the hotel finish line was at Tienanmen Square where we took some quick group photos. A huge picture of Mr. Mao stood in the background in front of the entrance to the Forbidden City! Our last day had us riding just over 95km, the last 30km of which Ben and Shanny led the group to the finish line in a group convoy.
We were welcomed at the hotel by Miles who made it to the finish line a few days earlier in order to organize a nice celebratory banquet and a special dinner. When it comes to food, whether cooking or ordering for the group, Miles never lets you down! He had prepared a great spread of really nice champagnes and wines (which are almost impossible to find in China), cold beer, tasty cheeses, nice chocolate and many other good foods and drink to indulge in after so long without many of these luxury items.
After we stuffed our faces, patted each other on the back and took some final photos, we had a little slide show. Then it was off to shower and relax a bit before heading out for a Peking duck dinner and a Chinese opera, Beijing style.
Hard to believe that it is all over; 3½ months dedicated towards this common goal and I think we can all say that it was time well spent. Today had everyone packing their bikes up into boxes, getting rid of unwanted gear and sorting out final details of flights and hotels - just getting overall reorganized. We said our final goodbyes today as we are all heading out in different directions!!
Congratulations to everyone on a safe and successful expedition, and the best of luck to you all in the years to come. We overcame many hurdles and obstacles along the way and still reached our common goal. Remember, we create our own opportunities in life and there will always be many obstacles - only we choose which ones will become barriers!!!
Ben Shillington “Silk Route Tour Leader 2008”
For almost one third of the year, we have been eating, sleeping, camping and biking together - all working together towards a common goal - to bike over 10,000km through 8 countries (we flew over one of them!!) from Istanbul,Turkey to Beijing, China!!
We arrived safely here into Beijing yesterday at approx 12:30pm. The first stop before celebrating at the hotel finish line was at Tienanmen Square where we took some quick group photos. A huge picture of Mr. Mao stood in the background in front of the entrance to the Forbidden City! Our last day had us riding just over 95km, the last 30km of which Ben and Shanny led the group to the finish line in a group convoy.
We were welcomed at the hotel by Miles who made it to the finish line a few days earlier in order to organize a nice celebratory banquet and a special dinner. When it comes to food, whether cooking or ordering for the group, Miles never lets you down! He had prepared a great spread of really nice champagnes and wines (which are almost impossible to find in China), cold beer, tasty cheeses, nice chocolate and many other good foods and drink to indulge in after so long without many of these luxury items.
After we stuffed our faces, patted each other on the back and took some final photos, we had a little slide show. Then it was off to shower and relax a bit before heading out for a Peking duck dinner and a Chinese opera, Beijing style.
Hard to believe that it is all over; 3 ½ months dedicated towards this common goal and I think we can all say that it was time well spent. Today had everyone packing their bikes up into boxes, getting rid of unwanted gear and sorting out final details of flights and hotels - just getting overall reorganized. We said our final goodbyes today as we are all heading out in different directions!!
Congratulations to everyone on a safe and successful expedition, and the best of luck to you all in the years to come. We overcame many hurdles and obstacles along the way and still reached our common goal. Remember, we create our own opportunities in life and there will always be many obstacles - only we choose which ones will become barriers!!!
Ben Shillington “Silk Route Tour Leader 2008â€
A rest day in Anyang gave us a last chance to get into Shillington’s Bike Shop between 9am and 11am for one final tune up. Complete drive train change overs have been a very popular request as everyone is hoping to shed some weight before flying home, and let’s face it, you really can’t get the same quality bike mechanic work like this at home!!! Right guys?
The crew also relaxed and rested up for the last time as we are now only a mere 302km from Beijing. Although most of us have only one thing on our minds - “GET TO BEIJING” - it’s not over till its over and our main focus is on making it to the finish line, healthy and uninjured. The mental stress will be well above the physical. The roads are flat and the days now are fairly short, but the amazing amount of people and crazy non stop traffic keep you focused and thinking every second of the day, and that is energy draining in itself!!
We are all thinking about friends and family back home and looking forward to a long awaited reunion.
Three days and counting untill Beijing!!
A rest day in Anyang gave us a last chance to get into Shillington's Bike Shop between 9am and 11am for one final tune up. Complete drive train change overs have been a very popular request as everyone is hoping to shed some weight before flying home, and let's face it, you really can't get the same quality bike mechanic work like this at home!!! Right guys?
The crew also relaxed and rested up for the last time as we are now only a mere 302km from Beijing. Although most of us have only one thing on our minds - "GET TO BEIJING" - it's not over till its over and our main focus is on making it to the finish line, healthy and uninjured. The mental stress will be well above the physical. The roads are flat and the days now are fairly short, but the amazing amount of people and crazy non stop traffic keep you focused and thinking every second of the day, and that is energy draining in itself!!
We are all thinking about friends and family back home and looking forward to a long awaited reunion.
Three days and counting untill Beijing!!
I do not know what the weather is like back home in Beachburg, Canada, but the weather here in Northern China has been very sunny and unusually warm, especially for this time of year. After the heat of the many deserts we have traveled through in the months past, I can honestly say that I can’t wait for the icy, snowy, cold Canadian winter.
The topography has leveled out considerably over the last three days but the traffic and smog has picked up. The other day the riders arrived into Luoyang with pitch black faces from all of the coal dust. Along with the smog and dust comes the noise pollution from the billions of cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles that fill all the empty spaces of the roads, bike paths, paved and dirt shoulders and everywhere else in between. Here in China there seems to be only one traffic law and one law only. It is not to obey the speed limit or traffic signs, it is not to watch where you are going or to pay any attention to anyone or anything around you or to ever stay between the lines. The only rule is, when in doubt HONK YOUR HORN and honk it long, loud and repeatedly!! If we can’t have the challenges of the terrain, we might as well have the challenges of the vehicles!!!
A few nights back, the staff organized an after dinner bowling tournament to mix up the evening and to get everyone’s competitive juices flowing. The grand prize… bragging rights and a round of beers compliments of TDA and for the losers… a round of beers compliments of TDA.The teams were as follows “The Dutch Connection” the “East meets West” the “Double Doubles” (as in Tim Horton’s double double coffee) the “Chinese Uighur All Stars” and the “Russian Attack” First Place was taken by the Dutch Connection, second place by pure luck the East meets West (no thanks to gutter ball Drouin) and in third the Double Doubles!! We also found out that night that Knut is the next Norwegian Olympic ping pong hopeful.
Time is flying by to fast now. Tomorrow we will be in Anyang for our last rest day and then five more days on the road to the finish line.
Every day spent on a bike is a perfect day. Lets enjoy the last final miles!!
I do not know what the weather is like back home in Beachburg, Canada, but the weather here in Northern China has been very sunny and unusually warm, especially for this time of year. After the heat of the many deserts we have traveled through in the months past, I can honestly say that I can't wait for the icy, snowy, cold Canadian winter.
The topography has leveled out considerably over the last three days but the traffic and smog has picked up. The other day the riders arrived into Luoyang with pitch black faces from all of the coal dust. Along with the smog and dust comes the noise pollution from the billions of cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles that fill all the empty spaces of the roads, bike paths, paved and dirt shoulders and everywhere else in between. Here in China there seems to be only one traffic law and one law only. It is not to obey the speed limit or traffic signs, it is not to watch where you are going or to pay any attention to anyone or anything around you or to ever stay between the lines. The only rule is, when in doubt HONK YOUR HORN and honk it long, loud and repeatedly!! If we can't have the challenges of the terrain, we might as well have the challenges of the vehicles!!!
A few nights back, the staff organized an after dinner bowling tournament to mix up the evening and to get everyone's competitive juices flowing. The grand prize... bragging rights and a round of beers compliments of TDA and for the losers... a round of beers compliments of TDA.The teams were as follows "The Dutch Connection" the "East meets West" the "Double Doubles" (as in Tim Horton's double double coffee) the "Chinese Uighur All Stars" and the "Russian Attack" First Place was taken by the Dutch Connection, second place by pure luck the East meets West (no thanks to gutter ball Drouin) and in third the Double Doubles!! We also found out that night that Knut is the next Norwegian Olympic ping pong hopeful.
Time is flying by to fast now. Tomorrow we will be in Anyang for our last rest day and then five more days on the road to the finish line.
Every day spent on a bike is a perfect day. Lets enjoy the last final miles!!
Well, Fall has arrived here in Northern China and we have been enjoying the cool air, the different coloured leaves and the harvesting of billions of apples. Due to the generosity of many local villagers, we have also been enjoying eating the apples too. But with the Fall comes the rain, and a few of the previous days of riding have been rather wet. Although most people don’t love to climb, we enjoyed all the climbs on our way here to Xi’an (many of which compared to the killer hills in Turkey). It is all flat roads the rest of the way to Beijing.
Unfortunately we have also entered into a world of smog, even in the country villages. Usually we witness smog hovering over a city like a blanket of smoke off in the distance, but here it is everywhere - often right in front of your face like a heavy fog. At first sight, you think that it is a cloudy and overcast day but, no clouds or fog, just smog.
We entered into the ancient city of Xi’an two days ago with much anticipation. Everyone was ready for a well deserved double rest day but they were also excited about exploring such a huge and historically important city. The inner portion of the city is contained within the confines of a huge wall built over a thousand years ago and reaching over 12 meters tall, 15 meters in thickness with a total length of 13 kilometres!! The city has 4 major entrances, one each on the North, East, South and West walls. If that was not enough to keep anyone from entering the city in the past, there is also a big moat surrounding the outside perimeter of the city wall. The weather was not good. It was smoggy along with consistent rain throughout the whole day and late into the evening.
Today, we all headed out of the city to check out the eighth wonder of the world, the famous terracotta soldiers. This site was found by a local farmer in 1974 while digging a well and houses the 50 sq km tomb of the first Chinese emperor of the Qin dynasty. Over 7000 life sized clay soldiers and their horses have been excavated and still stand guard. They were built by over 750,000 men approx 250 years B.C. These soldiers, all of which have different bodies, faces and army ranks were built to guard and protect the emperor in the
afterlife !!
We will be back on the road in the morning to cover another 100+ kilometres, each one bringing us that much closer to Beijing. Only 12 more days to go!! Where have the last three and a half months gone?
Well, Fall has arrived here in Northern China and we have been enjoying the cool air, the different coloured leaves and the harvesting of billions of apples. Due to the generosity of many local villagers, we have also been enjoying eating the apples too. But with the Fall comes the rain, and a few of the previous days of riding have been rather wet. Although most people don't love to climb, we enjoyed all the climbs on our way here to Xi'an (many of which compared to the killer hills in Turkey). It is all flat roads the rest of the way to Beijing.
Unfortunately we have also entered into a world of smog, even in the country villages. Usually we witness smog hovering over a city like a blanket of smoke off in the distance, but here it is everywhere - often right in front of your face like a heavy fog. At first sight, you think that it is a cloudy and overcast day but, no clouds or fog, just smog.
We entered into the ancient city of Xi'an two days ago with much anticipation. Everyone was ready for a well deserved double rest day but they were also excited about exploring such a huge and historically important city. The inner portion of the city is contained within the confines of a huge wall built over a thousand years ago and reaching over 12 meters tall, 15 meters in thickness with a total length of 13 kilometres!! The city has 4 major entrances, one each on the North, East, South and West walls. If that was not enough to keep anyone from entering the city in the past, there is also a big moat surrounding the outside perimeter of the city wall. The weather was not good. It was smoggy along with consistent rain throughout the whole day and late into the evening.
Today, we all headed out of the city to check out the eighth wonder of the world, the famous terracotta soldiers. This site was found by a local farmer in 1974 while digging a well and houses the 50 sq km tomb of the first Chinese emperor of the Qin dynasty. Over 7000 life sized clay soldiers and their horses have been excavated and still stand guard. They were built by over 750,000 men approx 250 years B.C. These soldiers, all of which have different bodies, faces and army ranks were built to guard and protect the emperor in the
afterlife !!
We will be back on the road in the morning to cover another 100+ kilometres, each one bringing us that much closer to Beijing. Only 12 more days to go!! Where have the last three and a half months gone?
We have definitely experienced the nicest riding so far (except maybe the 50km down hill into Turpan) in all of China over the last few days. Now that we are in the Gansu province, far from the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts, we’re getting into some mountains, hills and vegetation. The landscape has provided some good long climbs and we had one yesterday that was 10km from bottom to top, tight corners, fast descents and some amazing topography. Leaving from the huge city of Lanzhou and heading to the big town of Jingning, we have been riding through a world heritage site!! We have been witness to thousands upon thousands of very impressive man-made terraces cut into the soft and nutrient-rich mountainsides. The mountains all around look like hundreds of layers of pancakes stacked on top of each other, all slightly offset. These terraces which have been manually cut into the sides of these mountains over the last two thousand years or more and have provided the local villagers with fertile and flat land amongst all the steep terrain to farm a variety of different crops year round. Along with the cultivated hill sides another feature that stands out are the hundreds of caves that have also been carved into the sides of the mountains providing sheltered homes high in the hills.
We had the pleasure of staying in our third home stay of the expedition last night in a small small village. The home stay’s claim to fame in the village was of being that of the only building with heat. The coal heat took the sting out of the air, but you still wouldn’t consider it warm inside. I’ll take the cold any day over the heat, especially the heat of Turkmenistan. One cool feature of the town was the ability to harness the sun’s heat with a contraption that looks like one of those old huge satellite dishes but just a little smaller. They were all covered with small square pieces of mirror (there were 50 of these things around the village) and sitting about four feet above the dish-like contraption, held up with a piece of rebar, were tea pots, one per dish. The light and heat of the sun was magnified and came to a focal point right on the bottom of the pots and boiled the water!!! I put my hand under the pot and it took about three seconds to start burning my hand. I was very impressed.
Another beautiful day of riding today - good climbs and scenery and a comfortably cool temperature. We will soon be in the long awaited ancient city of Xi’an where the famous terracotta soldiers stand guard and where we will have our last double rest day.
We have definitely experienced the nicest riding so far (except maybe the 50km down hill into Turpan) in all of China over the last few days. Now that we are in the Gansu province, far from the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts, we're getting into some mountains, hills and vegetation. The landscape has provided some good long climbs and we had one yesterday that was 10km from bottom to top, tight corners, fast descents and some amazing topography. Leaving from the huge city of Lanzhou and heading to the big town of Jingning, we have been riding through a world heritage site!! We have been witness to thousands upon thousands of very impressive man-made terraces cut into the soft and nutrient-rich mountainsides. The mountains all around look like hundreds of layers of pancakes stacked on top of each other, all slightly offset. These terraces which have been manually cut into the sides of these mountains over the last two thousand years or more and have provided the local villagers with fertile and flat land amongst all the steep terrain to farm a variety of different crops year round. Along with the cultivated hill sides another feature that stands out are the hundreds of caves that have also been carved into the sides of the mountains providing sheltered homes high in the hills.
We had the pleasure of staying in our third home stay of the expedition last night in a small small village. The home stay's claim to fame in the village was of being that of the only building with heat. The coal heat took the sting out of the air, but you still wouldn't consider it warm inside. I'll take the cold any day over the heat, especially the heat of Turkmenistan. One cool feature of the town was the ability to harness the sun's heat with a contraption that looks like one of those old huge satellite dishes but just a little smaller. They were all covered with small square pieces of mirror (there were 50 of these things around the village) and sitting about four feet above the dish-like contraption, held up with a piece of rebar, were tea pots, one per dish. The light and heat of the sun was magnified and came to a focal point right on the bottom of the pots and boiled the water!!! I put my hand under the pot and it took about three seconds to start burning my hand. I was very impressed.
Another beautiful day of riding today - good climbs and scenery and a comfortably cool temperature. We will soon be in the long awaited ancient city of Xi'an where the famous terracotta soldiers stand guard and where we will have our last double rest day.
