You might dig into ryanjpyle's MKRide.com ride report here in MCM, which includes details about the ferry between the Shandong peninsula and Dalian. Or PM him.
Cheers!
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You might dig into ryanjpyle's MKRide.com ride report here in MCM, which includes details about the ferry between the Shandong peninsula and Dalian. Or PM him.
Cheers!
Nice. Thanks a lot Euphonius. Can't find anything specific about the ferry but if they got on and off without complaining then I'm sure it'll be alright.
You'll find it here, on Day 4. Not much detail, but now you know you can get details from Ryan.
cheers
Yeah... I found that. He only says that it was a good rest and was wonderful to watch the day go by. Not much specific there but he seemed happy with the trip. I may muster the courage to send him a message later. He seems like a really interesting fella.Quote:
Originally Posted by euphonius
Thanks again.
More on the ferry (sorry, my information is only about Dalian to Weihai. Again I would assume it would be similar whichever way you were going, except for the times may be backwards.
There are two ferries that run routinely. One named Bangchuidao is the "overnight" and leaves Daliangang (Dalianwan?, meaning the docks in NE Zhongshan, not sure though) at 9:30pm and arrives in Weihai at 4:00am and is the cheaper of the two (I think my first quote of Y170/person is this ferry).
The second is Shengsheng Yihao runs during the day and leaves Daliangang at 10:30am and arrives in Weihai at 5:30pm and costs more.
So the total trip is about 7 hours. I guess you could try and get a little sleep on the ferry (and a really early start the next morning you could take the night ferry and think of it like a hard seat on a train. If the weather is nice than I'm sure it would be a very scenic trip, so the ride might also make a good rest day, like the Pyle brothers did. It would be great to have a little pair of binocs.
Oh and we have a website where you should be able to book tickets. I'm not sure why the website is associated with Weihai.
PM'ed Ryan about the ferry just now.
Fred,
How are things? How is the bike?
Just wondering, are you taking a GPS device with you to help navigate?
I've been considering something else:
I think that - if you were to visit Dongbei - then the ferry trips in every which way have been covered there but the ferry from Qingdao to Huangdao may be slightly more tricky; Qingdao police don't like motorcycles so...
- Travelling through at night is one option but... Fred, do you still want to stop there and see the sights?
- Do the ferries still run at night?
- Have the ferries even taken a motorcycle? Probably one or two, yes, but who else has done this kind of thing on a moto before?
- Will the ferries let Fred on? If he's on his way out of Qingdao then it would be the right thing to do, and it means more money for them but I'd like to be sure.
I've asked all these questions without investigating them first myself. I'll try and look up info on the QD - HD ferry this evening when I have time.
A quick link before I have to go out of the house for a while.
http://www.qingdaochinaguide.com/lis...-terminal.html
I can't find anything on vehicle transportation so far. Maybe my eyes are bad though.
Heya Pete, thanks a lot to try to find all those info !
Hehe, you seem readier than me to do this trip ! :lol8:
As I wrote, I'm not yet to the road-maps of Shandong, for now, I'm doing the precise daily road-maps in Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan. After that it'll be Ningxia and Gansu.
I have a 800 RMB taobao order coming up, with all the spare parts/chain lube/accessories I need.
I'll post some pics here later about all the stuff we're packing, and I think I'll post also our complete packing list, it may help or give some guidelines for future reference. :deal:
Update : ok, I'm up to Shandong now, spent the whole day on the road-maps !
Basically, because I just love mountains, we'll go from Beijing to Tai'An then Qingdao : the map .
BUT : we read what you wrote Pete about Weihai & Yantai, and depending on the time we have left at the end of the trip, we'll maybe go there, you never know...
We also noted the recommendation for Rizhao, we'll definitely go there after Qingdao, on our way to Nanjing.
Cheers !
Fred
Ok, a bit of an update here !
Taobao is a wonderful thing in China, perfect for example for ordering all the spare parts for the YBR250 in prevision of this trip, so here's the list of the spare parts I'll carry with me, you never know, it might help someone in the future for a trip preparation :
- 1 brake lever
- 1 clutch lever
- 1 spark plug NGK
- 2 oil filters and corresponding oil rings (I'll change one before leaving)
- 1 clutch selector
- 1 clutch cable
- 1 throttle cable
- 2 air filters (I'll change one before leaving)
- tubeless tyre plug kit + CO2 cartridges
And then of course you need to have the tools to do the job, I'm working on it now.
I'm used to leave for trips without worrying too much about spare parts, so this feels overkill for me... But hey, it's 10K km, and in China, so...
Fred!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred
Hey mate. Just noticed your update on the road maps. I think it's a good idea to skip the route through Weifang. Most of those roads are a hassle and not worth seeing. Jinan, however, will be a nightmarish labyrinth of jam-packed, dirty roads regardless of the fact that motorcycles are apparently banned there. I've no idea what the roads are like west of Jinan but ZMC888 and I have been up and down the mountain roads south-east of the city many times and they're a lot of fun. I therefore recommend swinging west of Jinan but I'd like to ask ZMC888 for the exact route: I've always just followed him on each ride and I'm not quite sure how to lay out the route on a map.
Rizhao should be good. Glad to hear your planning to visit it!
Hi Fred.
Great to follow your planning for the great trip!!! Respect!!
Let me know, If you need a bed when you passes Beijing ...?? - we have plenty of space and are living north of the city.
Maybe some BBQ and a cold beer....??
Hey Torben, thanks for the invitation mate !
Right now, we have 3 detailed itineraries for this trip, and which one we'll choose at the end will depend on whether we make good times during the trip, or if we spent too many days enjoying the sights and all the cultural spots we selected.
In 1 of those itineraries, we skip Beijing (we both went there many times, so he'll not be a big shame) altogether, going from Datong, Shanxi to Qingdao, Shandong in an almost straight line.
Basically what I'm saying is that we'll stay very flexible on the itinerary and we'll decide if we make a run for Beijing at the end of the loop ! We'll keep everyone posted of course via this forum, I'll create later a Ride Reports here.
Thanks a lot again !
Cheers,
Fred
Wow Fred that sounds great I'm getting ready for a 4900Km round trip in 8 days which is a prep ride for a 11700km trip June.
the trip in days will be a bit more relaxed but still intensive since we are looking to cover 1930km in 2 days. I am only doing one up but what you plan seems Epic. Good luck and keep us informed.
Hey Gardo,Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardo
4900km in 8 days will be pretty intense. Are you going to create a thread for it?
Thanks Gardo, but 4900km trip in 8 days, and 1,930km in 2 days ??Quote:
Originally Posted by Gardo
Ooh, never mind, just saw that you're in the States, not in China ! Much better then as it would have been downright impossible here (except on a GSX-R 600 apparently, mind you...) but still impressive !
How do you manage to sleep while riding ? :lol8:
:uhoh: oh yeah... I just noticed that too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred
Not 'quite' as intense as it would be in the PRC.
4900km in the states is nowhere near as difficult in the states as it is in China but we face different challenges. I'm doing this on a sub 250 single hard tail. My main challenge will be on the Freeways were the limit is 120Kph, winds since the bike only weighs 135Kilos, and more unforseen issues, but its a challenge i want to do. this trip is more of a pleasure trip for the big Bike Week in the statesQuote:
Originally Posted by Fred
As for sleeping I'll set the cruise control :mwink:
My big run is in June that i will be doing on the CCW tha Heist http://americanmotorcyclerally.com/ this is an 11 day ride 7268 miles or 11700km from Ohio past Vegas and back.
Pete, I will be videoing and documenting the run most of it will be on my site and blog www.ccwthariders.com but i will be sharing here as well when i get back. i did post in the ride prep with a map of the route
Awesome. I'll be keeping an eye on that.
Hard tail? That sounds uncomfortable. Cruise control? A luxury that I've never experienced but it's a good thing not too many people have that in China. It would only increase the percentage of daily accidents.
I have a good seat setup and the only cruise control is the throttle hand :icon10:Quote:
Originally Posted by soberpete
Here's the bike I am doing this all on
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...0116-00219.jpg
Can't see that pic but I think I know which 250 you're talking about. One you've customized yourself I believe. I've seen it on other threads and it's the one here too. Tha Widow, right? www.ccwthariders.comQuote:
Originally Posted by Gardo
Intense enough stuff in the USA. Wouldn't be much fun in China.
Ah.. The throttle hand... I see :riding:.
Any luck with the pin wrench yet Fred?
What's the countdown timer at now?
Ok guys, an update !
First let me apologize as those past few weeks have been completely crazy, with finishing my work in Shanghai, preparing this trip, and basically flying over to France to sign my new contract !
But the good news are that :
- I now am officially in a 5 months holiday, while being sure of having a nice job for me in France at the end of it, which is the perfect situation to be in before starting a trip like this.
- we are starting the trip tomorrow ! At last !!
Months of preparation and general business will soon stop, as we will leave for the 1st leg tomorrow. Of course depending on the weather, which is right now awful in Shanghai with a lot of rain...
I shall soon start a thread over the ride reports section on this forum, and I will try to write the ride report as we ride, but it'll be depending on the internet access we'll find. I do have a 3G USB key also for those times without connection.
I'll also list later all the stuff we packed, and all our equipment as far as luggage go. Nothing too fancy, basically GDW saddlebags, 40 liters Adlo topcase and a tank bag.
See you soon on the ride reports section !
YES!!!
It is beginning...
Bon voyage Fred!
Am I the only one reading this thread now?
I'm looking forward to your reports Fred. If it's still raining then I don't blame you for delaying the trip for a bit. Just update us before you get to Shandong!
Hey Fred. Wondering where you're at and how things are going.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred
If you're not in a position to start a RR yet, give a "check-in" shout on this thread when you can!
Check-in shout ! :icon10:
We're perfectly all right, thanks for your concerns guys, we traveled already more than 2,500km from Shanghai to today's stop, Donglan, Guangxi province ! We have a mix of travel days (only goal is to ride to get to some interesting places) and touristic days (for example Yangshuo, Longji rice fields, and tomorrow is another one, the Chengbi Lake near the town of Baise, Guangxi).
Some teasers:
- We hit a lot of bad roads, especially in Hunan (what's wrong with them ?). Not even roads I should say, but mud and stones baths... Pics to come in the RR.
- We had rain every single f.....g day since Shanghai (April 11th), except for the last 2 days, oh how good it feels ! Best investment so far ? The motorcycle rain gear for us... :lol8:
- The YBR 250 is doing fine until now, I baby it around the rough spots because it is very heavily packed. Only problem so far as I wrote over the maintenance thread is the left front fork seal which is leaking. I'm planning to have it changed + a complete maintenance in Kunming in 5-6 days.
- I found an excellent Yamaha service center in Ji'An, Jiangxi : the guys over there were incredibly nice when they learned what we were doing, they helped me to change the oil, oil filter and air filter (which I had with me as spare parts but didn't take the time to change before the start of the trip ; I still have more in spare parts, no worries), and checked a small issue on the front end. I basically had to fight to pay them and took many pictures with them.
- I hit a pedestrian in Shangrao, and managed to even yell at him... Hehe, that's a teaser... (don't worry, I did so after seeing that he was alright and standing up quickly)
And just because I'm such a tease, some pics while waiting for a proper RR !
Mudbath between Ji'an & Chenzhou, and yes, that's a G road for you (Guo Dao)... :
Attachment 6984
Attachment 6985
The usual bike in the lobby picture
Attachment 6986
The usual "that's what I'm talking about, well done China" picture :
Attachment 6987
And the usual "here we do have it this small" picture....
Attachment 6988
Sorry China....
That's it folks ! Be sure I'm not forgetting you, just a lot to do every day ! I'll do the RR for sure, even if it is after the trip ! ;-)
Cheers,
Fred
Hey there Fred,
I read your reports from your "URGENT - Yamaha dealer in Kuming / Leaking left fork seal" thread and I hope that's all working out for you.
FYI by the time you reach Shandong you'll have access to the following spare items of mine that I have lying around the house:
1: Front tire (only seen 2,000km)
2: Brake and clutch levers
3: Front disc brake
It'll only be very convenient for you if you're really close to the area (at the time of need) but just keep it in mind.
Anything else you might need, I can get for you within a few days. Just let me know.
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred
Hi Fred,
200km a day is some serious going, when Fay and me were doing the full length of Vietnam, some days we pushed it and did 150km's, some days we were lucky to do 80km's
OK, I guess the roads here in China are far better than what we had to contend with in Vietnam, but we were seriously messed up at the end of some days.
Good luck, hope to see you in Friendly Shandong.
Gra.
Hey Graham,
I didn't see your message for some reason...
200km/day on average was the plan, and we're sticking to it so far ! Even did a 350km day 2 weeks ago, but of course we were absolutely knackered at the end of it.
Today for example on so-so roads between Luguhu and Liangshan (Xichang), Sichuan, we did 280km in approximately 7 hours. Tired ? Yes, but the landscapes are amazing...
Chinese drivers ? Terrible, absolutely terrible... Worse are the ones on 4x4 on the mountain roads : the roads is theirs, and you have no right to be in front of them, or fastest, or even on the road...
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred
Hi Fred,
Just be safe, don't let your guard down for a split second.
You seem to be doing very good distances every day, I am surprised.
have you decided if your heading through Weifang, I kind'a read it was off your rout maybe?
When we did Vietnam, we were there for a month.
We did 22 days riding.
Gra.