August 25, 2009
Wake up and its pouring. Set off nonetheless, after spending 30 min navigating my way out of the fandian which has been locked up for the night. Encounter rain, a vicious headwind, hill, hill, and then one big mountain. The top of the mountain however signifies the end of Herbei and the start of Inner Mongolia. Boy am i keen to get out of messsy herbei. I tackle the mountain and eventually reach the summit, it seems the mountain is more of an escarpment, however, as there was no downhill on the other side. Only beautiful, blue skyed, clear aired Inner Mongolia. Setting off through the new landscape can't help but mention the contrast of corn field enriched landscape of Herbei to the rolling green hilly landscape that is Inner Mogolia, and so lovely to breathe in some fresh air.
On the side, people seem a lot less friendly, with a slight feeling of aggression, maybe im just imagining it tho... Rock up to a village called Xinghe, and visit the only hotel in town, need to bargain down the price of the room intensely and afterwards still think im being ripped off... The girl at reception had never seen a passport before, and it took an hour just to check in as she stared at it in amazement, sweet girl. I afterwards queried whether there was a massage place in town where I could help my aching legs recover. She said there were but also said she could give me a massage herself. She is quite a big girl, and i kindly declined, I'm sure she could have done a great job but reckon she would've broken all the bones in my body with a single touch of her pinky finger. She's the product of some large Mongolian family breeding.
Grab some great bbq'ed lamb and chicken, and off to bed. Didnt get that massage.
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
August 18, 2009
Wake up, get my free breakfast at the hotel and get away by 8:30am. Not perfect, but getting there, baby steps. Another tail wind, someone is on my side so far. Dodge more trucks, but as i venture out further from beijing, trucks are getting more scarce. Needless to say, i have managed to get in some sweet slips streams behind some slow moving trucks (bless their souls), i guess they have they're uses... Stop for 30 min break at a petrol station and start up conversion the station owner and h... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
August 17, 2009
"I feel this could be my last night in anything close to civilization..." (Thurs 17 August 2009)Wake up, gonna be an early start today i reckon. Not so as my customary early morning bike checks unfolds the same problem as day 2 with the loose nut. On closer inspection, the eye on the bottom right side of my fork is threaded and the bolt keeps slipping out. 'Sweet jesus!' I exclaim, but no worries, attach a nut to other side of the bolt, more duct tape and cable ties and throw in some super gl... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
August 16, 2009
It rained overnight, and was still drizzling in the morning, took me a while still to pack up camp and only made it out of there at 9... got to get better at waking up. Yet i am alot more sore today that yesterday. Was treated to a frikken cool 15km gentle downhill. My faith restored in God I came into a small town (population 2 million, tiny by chinese standards) called YangQing. Thats where i am now, writing this and this is probably the most uncomfortable seat ever. just carbo loaded on th...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
August 16, 2009
Woke up and expected an early start. not so... left the hotel at
8:30. Will have to remedy this. Got 1 km down the road and noticed my
front right rack was looking suspicously skew. Stopped in a
neighbouring cafe, and proceeded to take apart the rack, seems one nut
wasn't tightened properly, something i should have checked. Anyway put
in back, secured it with extra reinforcments (duct tape and cable ties)
and after 2 hours continue on my ways. 10km down the road reach
the Great Wall, oh how i... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
August 16, 2009
After 4 hours sleep I awake to the sun coming in the small crack
between the curtains. Its overcast outside, standard beijing, polution
filled muggy day, realise this is the day its going to happen. Shower,
repack my bag one more time, and set off for 7:30 start. Traffic in
Beijing is intense. Wheel around too many cars and happen to take the
wrong right hand turn, but luckily am still going in the right
direction, make a quick detour to remedy the situation.
Later almost get sandwiched be... Continue reading...
Posted by Cameron Bellamy. Posted In : Cam's reports
August 13, 2009
The much-vaunted start of Sensai Bellamy's epic intercontinental traverse has been delayed.
After months of gruelling preparation, fastidious planning and training through all conditions, our intrepid explorer has reported an unforseen meteorological phenomena as the reason for his relayed departure.
"i delayed my departure day by a day as when the sun woke me up this morning it felt like it was 40 degrees outside and yet it was only 5.30 am. so tomorrow (14th) is the date," the one time SA oar... Continue reading...
Posted by Richard English. Posted In : Latest updates
August 12, 2009
Thursday the 13th of August 2009 marks the start of an incredible journey by an incredible boh. One that other boh's all over the world will look up to as a shining example of what a boh can acheive if only he sets his mind to it. Critics and nay-sayers will doubtlessly argue that the journey is that of a vagrant without money for a vehicle, who has been deported in silence and shame from his country of residence after losing one too many Blackberry phones at the local pub on a Friday. But we... Continue reading...
Posted by Richard English. Posted In : Latest updates
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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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