The blog’s been quiet for the past few months. Many of you have wondered what’s up. Well, we haven’t tossed in the towel, if that’s what you’re thinking. And no, we haven’t been lounging on some Thai beach attempting to
China Loop: the grand finale
The Yi and the Yangtze
After the austere beauty of the Tibetan Plateau, we thought the rest of China might turn into a big disappointment. Not in the least. How to enjoy cycling ANYWHERE! Alright, the first few days out of Chengdu were a blur
Tibet for Foreigners: Part 4
A spectacular place to celebrate! I don’t suppose many people get the chance to celebrate a birthday at 4,487 meters. That’s how Eric began his 47th year, on the top of Balang Shan Pass in China’s Sichuan Province. We hadn’t
Tibet for Foreigners: Part 2
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh all the way down the mountain for 15 odd kilometers. Ok maybe it was more like bump, curse, bump. The rock-strewn Daxuenshan Pass road was rough, and we maxed out at around 8 kms an hour. Still,
Tibet for Foreigners: Part 1
Independent Tibet travel for foreigners has been officially off-limits for years. The occasional intrepid cyclist does manage to sneak in, but most who try it get booted out by the ever-vigilant officers of the PSB (Public Security Bureau). Unwilling to
Another Beautiful Ride for your Bucket List
Southwest China deserves to be near the top of any adventure cyclist’s must-ride list. The last 3 weeks biking Yunnan province have been some of the best in recent years. Yunnan is a place of empty spaces, pristine natural beauty
Road Rage: a rocky start in China
An enraged local man punches Eric in the face, busting his glasses. That’s how our China tour began. Actually, there were two men. The middle-aged guy shook Eric by the collar while the younger one threw the punch. A case
Honey I think I lost my passport: an inauspicious start to 2012
“What? You’ve lost your passport?” I shout, mouth gaping in disbelief. The year was off to a highly inauspicious start. It wasn’t even noon on January 1st 2012 and we’d already witnessed a serious accident involving a semi and a
Unchanged China
I had plenty of ideas about China before actually visiting. These days, it’s hard not to pick up a newspaper or tune into a podcast without being treated to some pundit’s views on China’s rising power, influence and prosperity. Like
Falling in (and out!) of love with China
Just like in relationships, it’s also possible start off on the wrong foot when getting acquainted with a country. Perhaps one party doesn’t put forward its best face, and you end up not much liking each other. So it was