adventure cycling

Travelogue: Fire in the Sky

Up before the dawn, getting ready to go. The house is quiet, my family sleeps. Rising in the darkness to hit the road early. Down a cup of hot coffee and dress in warm clothes. Out the door and up the street to meet the day.

Laboring over the pedals, generating speed. Off the road and onto a dirt path. Frost coated gravel crunching under my wheels. Crisp autumn air biting my cheeks and stinging in my throat.

I looked up and turned my head toward the east. Fire in the sky, glowing orange, and yellow, a burning ember. Camera in hand, I straddle the bike and make a picture, capture the moment. Nevada sunrises are among the best I’ve seen.

Gear Review: Ortlieb Gravel Pack

by Johnny Isaak ·

I recently nabbed a pair of Ortlieb’s Gravel Pack panniers to replace a pair of front Ortlieb Roller Plus panniers I’ve been running on the rear of my Divide for the past couple of years.

Still, with years of life remaining in the Roller Plus panniers, they’ve found a new home on the rear rack of my wife’s touring bike. Ever since last summer’s cycling trip to Hokkaido, she’s adopted then as her own and I’m sure they will give her with many years of trouble-free service.

Here’s my initial take on the new bikepacking lineup offer from Ortlieb…

Travelogue: Go Your Own Way

by Johnny Isaak ·

Breaking snow on an early winter morning. Pedaling in near silence. Not a sound save for my panting breath and the snow crunching under my wheels. Still air. Not a single leaf rustling or a snowflake falling. Not another soul to be found. I have the ride to myself. The emptiness, the silence moves me as I pedal on. Times like these are special. They’re moments for adventure, small opportunities while living life in the normal world.

Exploring Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

by Johnny Isaak ·

Destination: Anhui province and the misty mountains of Huangshan or Yellow Mountain. In China, adventure is always near. Hopping a high-speed train with your bike in a bag will take you southwest to the city of Jinhua, which is located in the middle of mountainous Zhejiang province. From there, it’s a couple of days ride to the Huangshan national park on twisty mountain roads that transit some of the most stunning scenery to be found in China.

Continual travel is a way to keep the dream alive. Time on this rock is limited and everyday reality has a nasty way of interfering with one’s dreams if you’re not careful. Seems the wolf is always at the door. Big adventures in New Zealand and central Asia are still on the distant horizon. Shorter adventures must fill the gaps in between. The close proximity and easy access to the emerald mountains of Anhui offer the perfect adventure fix.

Travelogue: Xiapu Sunset

by Johnny Isaak ·

The sun is setting on the shrimp ponds of Xiapu, Fujian. Local farmers have called it a day and retired for the evening. The water is still, the landscape quiet. Miles of riding remains before sleep will come tonight.

Riding into the night has a magic all its own. Catching the final rays as the light fades to gray and then to dark gives one pause for a bit of thought and reflection.

Ride to Za Pu: Adventure by the Sea

by Johnny Isaak ·

The great thing about China is an adventure is always near. As the longest continuous civilization on the face of the earth, there is always someplace to go, something to see. It was time to let the spirit run and see what there was to see. Destination: the coastal fishing village of Za Pu in Zhejiang province on the north shore of Hangzhou Bay.

After kissing my wife and daughter on the cheek, I pedaled my bike out the compound gate and down the street in a southerly direction. Gradually the concrete, steel, and glass of Shanghai fell away behind me. Traffic congestion easied and the riding became more relaxed. I considered the importance of time, our most precious resource. When the opportunity presents itself, ride.

Mia Rides: Double Century Adventure to Tai Lake

by Johnny Isaak ·

“Do you want to ride? It’s a long way, close to 100 miles of cycling two days in a row. Are you really up for it?” Mia nodded her head confidently. “Dad,” I want to ride. “I can make it.” Give your children a taste of adventure and they will rise to the challenge.

Our family was traveling out to a small cottage on Sanshan Dao, a small island on Tai Lake, for Golden Week to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival and the Chinese National Day. The holiday would consist of a simple family dinner of local fare, a little exploring on the island, followed by a night mahjong for those game. The next morning, we’d all return to Shanghai for a final family dinner in the city.

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