Johnny Isaak | Adventure Cyclist
A compendium of adventure cycling chronicles, travel lore, tips, techniques, and tactics for the adventure cycling perplexed.
The angry, pulsating brown water thundering past mere feet away resonated at my very core. At narrowest point of Leaping Tiger Gorge, the full force of the Jinsha Jiang or “Golden Sanded River” coursed past me in a naked display of raw aggression. I had never seen such power or stood in such close proximity to so much unbridled energy. The raging power and fury of the Jinsha resonated on a primal level.
Tracing routes on Ancient Tea Horse Road southward to Xishuangbanna, we continued to transit through the incredibly diverse Yunnan landscape, some of the best China has to offer.
Across the bridge on our way to Jinghong, I was able to glimpse the last vestiges of light marking the conclusion of a wonderful day. Mid bridge, I stopped to take a picture. Straddling my bicycle on the empty span, I made this image capturing the final rays of sunlight fading to gray.
Not only are bicycles great for long-distance travel, but they are also excellent vehicles for getting under local cultural strata as well.
Clear days and mild fall temperatures bring pleasant riding weather. Itching to get out a bit, I was up in the morning and out into Shanghai my bike seeing what there is to see.
This morning’s destination: one or more of Shanghai’s longtangs or “lane houses” in the hopes of getting a peek into the city’s quintessential yesteryears that are all too rapidly fading away.
In a city like Shanghai, adventure is only a short ride away.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
[Read more…] about Mia Rides: Double Century Adventure to Tai Lake
