Today was just one of those days.... we had a "briefing" where we got completely confused over what city we may end up in ! It was a choice of 3 depending on if we got on the Toll road OK, or not !
Firstly we gas up, and I take the opportunity to take a pic of Big John and the little petrol pump attendant. Little & Large, I think....
So then we plan the morning assault on the Toll Booth... it was pretty close this time as four Officials legged it out of the office as soon as we were spotted, but the three of us powered past just before they got in front of the bikes. I wasn't sure how the Swiss lads would fare being as they were just a few minutes behind us, and now the officials were primed.
The sun was shining, and we all felt great until about 50 km down the road and we get to an exit ramp, with a Police pick-up parked there with all its lights flashing ...., Jeremy looks at a bird, John looks at the asphalt, and I check my number plate for security .... "Sorry Officer, we just didn't see you".
Three minutes later, I'm being chased by a Christmas Tree ... lights flashing, sirens going, so I give them that "who, me" look and slow to let the others escape. I'm the sacrificial lamb today, and after they video me for 5 minutes, they cut in front, and force me to a stop.
One of them speaks a little English and explains that we are not allowed on the Toll Roads ... I blame the GPS, but they they need passports, licence etc, and need to know about our Guide. They speak to him on the phone, and its agreed I will be escorted off, and he will come to meet me just after an exit booth.
The Police are so courteous and offer me water, and apologise the signs banning bikes are not very clear ... thankfully they had not seen the CCTV yet of us running the Toll Booth earlier !
So off we go, lights flashing again, and I'm led to safety. They say Goodbye after the exit, offer more water, and even wanted to know if I needed them to show me the way though the city.
I wait for Abdul, who arrives after 30 mins .... and then insists we have to get back on the Toll Road again !!
In the mean time, the rest of the gang had stopped at a Rest Area, and got caught by the Cops there ... and while this was going on, evidently a film crew appeared and interviewed them ... stars on Chinese TV I guess, all except me.
Now it gets complicated as Abdul, our Guide, has had a phone call and has to wait with me, to be escorted off for a second time. We wait for an eternity, then new cops appear, take hundreds of photos of each other, then escort us both. I'm instructed to wait after another exit booth, while the Cops escort Abdul to find the others at the Rest area, then bring them to me ... on normal roads !
Its farcical, but all takes time and when we are all re-united in one large group, its about 4pm ... not enough time to get to the preferred destination.
Abdul decides on an alternative hotel about 50 km away, and off we go.
Arriving at Yibin, we check into a nice hotel on the river with commanding views of the city from our room on the 25th floor.....
And a few minutes later, a card is slipped under the door ... Hmm, must be the maid I guess, just checking to see if we need any more pillows ....
Reconvening in the bar, we relive the days excitement...
before tucking into a rather nice meal ordered by Abdul (so we knew it was edible).
The bikes all safely under the hotel ...
which is right on the river.
After the meal, again, my riding buddies attended to their blogs, while I walked the streets just hoping to find something going on .... there wasn't ! Now where's that card gone !
Firstly we gas up, and I take the opportunity to take a pic of Big John and the little petrol pump attendant. Little & Large, I think....
So then we plan the morning assault on the Toll Booth... it was pretty close this time as four Officials legged it out of the office as soon as we were spotted, but the three of us powered past just before they got in front of the bikes. I wasn't sure how the Swiss lads would fare being as they were just a few minutes behind us, and now the officials were primed.
The sun was shining, and we all felt great until about 50 km down the road and we get to an exit ramp, with a Police pick-up parked there with all its lights flashing ...., Jeremy looks at a bird, John looks at the asphalt, and I check my number plate for security .... "Sorry Officer, we just didn't see you".
Three minutes later, I'm being chased by a Christmas Tree ... lights flashing, sirens going, so I give them that "who, me" look and slow to let the others escape. I'm the sacrificial lamb today, and after they video me for 5 minutes, they cut in front, and force me to a stop.
One of them speaks a little English and explains that we are not allowed on the Toll Roads ... I blame the GPS, but they they need passports, licence etc, and need to know about our Guide. They speak to him on the phone, and its agreed I will be escorted off, and he will come to meet me just after an exit booth.The Police are so courteous and offer me water, and apologise the signs banning bikes are not very clear ... thankfully they had not seen the CCTV yet of us running the Toll Booth earlier !
So off we go, lights flashing again, and I'm led to safety. They say Goodbye after the exit, offer more water, and even wanted to know if I needed them to show me the way though the city.I wait for Abdul, who arrives after 30 mins .... and then insists we have to get back on the Toll Road again !!
In the mean time, the rest of the gang had stopped at a Rest Area, and got caught by the Cops there ... and while this was going on, evidently a film crew appeared and interviewed them ... stars on Chinese TV I guess, all except me.
Now it gets complicated as Abdul, our Guide, has had a phone call and has to wait with me, to be escorted off for a second time. We wait for an eternity, then new cops appear, take hundreds of photos of each other, then escort us both. I'm instructed to wait after another exit booth, while the Cops escort Abdul to find the others at the Rest area, then bring them to me ... on normal roads !
Its farcical, but all takes time and when we are all re-united in one large group, its about 4pm ... not enough time to get to the preferred destination. 
Abdul decides on an alternative hotel about 50 km away, and off we go.
 |
| Duh, you are not allowed on the Toll roads... Stand in the corner & wear the Dunce cap. |
And a few minutes later, a card is slipped under the door ... Hmm, must be the maid I guess, just checking to see if we need any more pillows ....
Reconvening in the bar, we relive the days excitement...
before tucking into a rather nice meal ordered by Abdul (so we knew it was edible).
The bikes all safely under the hotel ...
which is right on the river.
After the meal, again, my riding buddies attended to their blogs, while I walked the streets just hoping to find something going on .... there wasn't ! Now where's that card gone !