October 19, 2009
I do end up getting up early today and am miraculously riding before
sunrise, powering through the darkness. unfortunately the sun is rising
behind me and have to keep peering around to catch a glimpse, come
drastically close to colliding with a number of busses... i hate
busses. the slight tailwind ensured i travelled the 70 km to AnXi very
quickly. Even had time to stop in internet cafe/road stall for a bit of
blogging and what would turn out to be a longer than expected break
leaving me alot of cycling to do before the day end.
I had previously decided to cycle to a town called LiuYuan. Another
70km away. The wind had changed to headwind. Gradually the legs started
to melt away. 30km to go, a rugged mountain range appears out of
nowhere. Realising the town lay beyond (or, as it turns out, ontop) of
this range, i stopped at a very random shop on the side of the road in
the middle of the desert. The 2 kids running the shop mentioned they
had served a few cyclists at this very stop recently whom had signed
their names on the walls, pen thrust in my hand i did the same before
continuing on my way, tackling the steep uphill and eventually making
it to the only, overpriced, hotel in town.
I fell over walking into the lobby. Legs had at this time turned
into soft mush. didn't get a chance to shower, brush teeth or eat as i
passed out momentarily after falling on my bed. could well have been
the most exhausted i've been on the trip so far. and definitely the
most smelly i've been on the trip so far the next morning.
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
October 17, 2009
It cannot be denied that Cameron has impressed us with his interesting and frequent communications during his journey. In fact, for some of us, we've heard more from the young adventurer than we ever did in all the years during which we lived in the same digs/town/country.
Perhaps it was too good to be true. All good things must come to an end. Either way, it didn't last and from the 14th of September to the 10th of October our friend went completely silent. Dark thoughts started to enter our... Continue reading...
Posted by Richard English. Posted In : Latest updates
September 16, 2009
(If I left it out, I don't reckon the place had a name, or if it did, have no idea what it was) .
1) 80
2) 39 SiHai
3) 84
4) 64 XuanHua
5) 75
6) 54 XingHe
7) 95 JiNing (just outside)
8) 149 Hohhot
9) rest day
10) 129 Baotou (east side)
11) 65 Baotou (west side)
12) 21
13) 130 WuYuan
14) 103 Bayanoer
15) rest day
16) rest day
17) 98 DengKou (just outside)
18) 82 WuDa
19) 145 Yinchuan
20) rest day
21) 180 ZhongWei
22) 71
23) 92 DaLi
23) 132 WuWei
24) rest day
25) 102
26) 81 ShanDan
27) 151... Continue reading...
Posted by 38 NewStreet. Posted In : Cam's reports
September 16, 2009
Today was a day for heavy winds and dessert heat. Every bridge I came
to had some quick chill time, using the shade as best I could. riding
in these conditions will take some getting used to... will be doing a
lot of it in the near future tho. After an initial 75 km ride, a truck
stop, not indicated on the map, pops up. Decide to call this one a day,
heat and wind causing frustration and pain. Will make up for time with
an early start tomorrow... Maybe. Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
September 16, 2009
Heading out into dry country now, i'm greeted by a nice little
tail wind once again. with only 125km to travel today settle into a
chilled rhythm and the day sails by. Tragedy strikes though with about
30km to go. A puncture... stop under a bridge to take of it and am off
again. Oh no... another puncture. Less amused this time, stop under a
nearby sign post to fix this one. On arriving at the destination town,
Yumen, you won't believe it, but yes, another puncture. "to hell with
this!" I shou... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
September 16, 2009
Jiayuguan is touristy city arising from the fact that it
houses the location of the most western part of the Great wall. This
part of the wall has a large fort built in between two looming mountain
ranges on the east and west, the snow capping the mountains to the
west. After the long visit to the fort, an astronomical entrance fee
and many photo's I head back into town and try out the city culinary
delights. My taxi driver, well knowledgeable about the city's
respectable and not so respectab... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
September 16, 2009
The 100km to go to Jiayuguan went by quickly and all in the
morning session. Checked into a central hotel and was quick to seek out
a lunch spot. My first foray was into a slightly empty yet cozy
establishment. Was seated and out came the menu with a rather sheepish
looking waitress. Not being able to read the chinese menu (no pictures,
alas!) I ask if they have any of my favourite dishes. The girl keeps
saying something in chinese, which is a type of meat, but which I've
never heard before. ... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
September 16, 2009
The great little tailwind I had started off with eventually
reversed itself, causing much pain and agony. Felt kind of poor on the
bike today yet still managed to do 80km before lunch. On stopping for
lunch tho, at great little place whos owner tried to persuade me into
eating a whole half a pig on my own, it had started to drizzle a little
bit. On finishing lunch the drizzle was sill there. A quick check on
the map and next big city, jiayuguan, was still 100km away, the
next town 45km away. ... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy.
September 16, 2009
Arriving on the road today am welcomed by a gale force tail wind.
not knowing what I've done to deserve this, I set off at ludicrous
speeds. Lunch time, stop by at little petrol station and am well looked
after by the resident couple working there. Still on the highway,
and still feeling a little uneasy and naughty as the result of it, a
massive amored police vehicle comes to a halt outside the entrance. In
big letters "Security of China" is written down the side. Doors open
and 2 heavily dre... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
September 16, 2009
This was another one of those days. Someone once told me it
doesn't rain in Gansu Province. what a lie! its rained every bloody day
so far... Not wanting to pack up the camp site in the rain, chilled for
a couple of hours in the tent. Packing up was a wet affair and to top
off the frustration had a stiff headwind to start off with.
The headwind got stiffer as the morning grew on and eventually
asked a guy on the side of the road where a good place to eat was. I
couldn't understand what he say... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
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Sensai
A charming young rogue in Beijing/
sought risk and the glory it brings./
He went far and wide
on an epic bike ride,/
and got up to unspeakable things.
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