Leaving Hami, we did the now routine, Toll booth tango, and pushed further East. Wasn't long before I came across this strange couple...
Well, two blokes actually !
They could not have dodged the toll gate barrier, so maybe with three wheels, they were classed as a car and allowed on. Chinese mentality, I suppose. Then before long, another Police check....
The forced stop gives us a chance to chat with the strange couple. They seemed quite normal, and were riding a Chinese made 400cc outfit, on a 3 week tour of China. Yes, two decent bikers I thought, until they insisted on giving me a gift of Lavender Massage Oil. Hmmmm.
With all these stops, the longer you stay, the more you attract attention... some unwanted..
and some more than welcome !
No idea where this chap came from, but it was the only other big bike I had seen in China since arriving, so it was worth a pic.
And back to mountains on the left, desert ... u got it yet ?
Finally arriving at Jiayuguan, where we had our first rest day planned.
The background to the above comment is that inevitably in a group of 7, people take a few days to align themselves with others of similar abilities. Myself, Jeremy & Big John, found that on the fast toll roads, we were constantly in the lead, riding at around 90-110 kmph (60-65 mph). The Swiss lads on the older BMW's and an Africa Twin, tended to fall to the back, happier at much slower speeds. Alan, the older chap in the pic, sort of swapped positions on a random basis.
Meanwhile, Abdul our guide, was getting frustrated as he wanted to keep the group together as part of the Permit conditions.
The Swiss lads & Alan were also voicing concerns about the long straight roads, which were not what they signed up for, and emails started to fly to and from the UK with the tour organiser, Motoexplorers.
The 3 of us at the front accepted the route had to be changed because flooding in Tibet, had caused bridges to collapse and the Government to close roads. We didn't blame anyone for changing the route.
However, the seeds of discontent had now been sown !
Well, two blokes actually !
They could not have dodged the toll gate barrier, so maybe with three wheels, they were classed as a car and allowed on. Chinese mentality, I suppose. Then before long, another Police check....
The forced stop gives us a chance to chat with the strange couple. They seemed quite normal, and were riding a Chinese made 400cc outfit, on a 3 week tour of China. Yes, two decent bikers I thought, until they insisted on giving me a gift of Lavender Massage Oil. Hmmmm.
With all these stops, the longer you stay, the more you attract attention... some unwanted..
and some more than welcome !
No idea where this chap came from, but it was the only other big bike I had seen in China since arriving, so it was worth a pic.
And back to mountains on the left, desert ... u got it yet ?
Finally arriving at Jiayuguan, where we had our first rest day planned.
....so time for some laundry.
Then an evening meal while we were all still friends !
Meanwhile, Abdul our guide, was getting frustrated as he wanted to keep the group together as part of the Permit conditions.
The Swiss lads & Alan were also voicing concerns about the long straight roads, which were not what they signed up for, and emails started to fly to and from the UK with the tour organiser, Motoexplorers.
The 3 of us at the front accepted the route had to be changed because flooding in Tibet, had caused bridges to collapse and the Government to close roads. We didn't blame anyone for changing the route.
However, the seeds of discontent had now been sown !