Beijing - Out again, West again

[chinabiker]

This time I decided to explore known, as well as new areas around national road G108 in Beijing.

I planned to ride to Shidu first and then cross the mountain range North, towards G108 on three different roads, two of them dirt and gravel paths.

After riding the 4th Ring and G04 I reached a country road with two small but nice to ride passes, ideal as a strater. I got to Shidu after 90 minutes refueled the bike and made my way to enter the first mountain road.


On the way to Shidu


Remember 2.7 meters


I was totally surprised to find that charming 31km dirt road has been transformed into a 31km, perfectly paved, twisty mountain road. I was on this road twice before, in 2004 with my black Santana and in 2005 with the bike. Did'nt find any pics from 2005, but some to compare road conditions from 2004 and 2011.


A picture from 2011 ...


... and one from almost the same spot in 2004


Tunnel 2011 ...


... and tunnel in 2004


Vehicle used in 2004 ...


... and in 2011


But back to the present now. They built a road which provides perfect riding for everyone who considers a straight being the useless connection between two bends or for those who want to rub off the outermost tiny rubber strands of their tires.

About 8kms into the road, I stopped for rider refill and discharge and to take some pictures. After that break I moved on to enjoy this new road, not without stopping many times for more pics. After these increadible 31kms, I reached national road G108 for the first time that day.


Tunnel in the distance


twisty


Looking what's coming up


Picture without road


I headed Westbound on G108 for about 10kms before I would have to start searching for the hidden turn off to my next target, the canyon gravel pass and I got hit by surprise again. A large and brand new sign indicates the turnoff to what once was an idyllic dirt road ride across a mountain and down a snaky path into a canyon. I couldn't believe they had built that road - they did. The outcome is another increadible twisty ride, ideal to intensively use the flanks of your motorcycle tires

I was on that road in 2007. Here some pictures to compare now and then.


The cut in 2007 ...


... and in 2011


The bike 2007 ...


... and 2011


Turns 2007 ...


... and 2011


Needless to say another road with perfect riding conditions, 19kms long and crossing a very twisty pass. I was left speechless on the descent to the bottom of the canyon. Unfortunately every road has two ends and I reached the southern one way too early and met local road X020, which would lead me back up to national road G108.


The way up to the pass


Panorama - click for the huge version


View into a side valley


Breathtaking views


Another side valley


Turns


A view to the bottom of the canyon


A look back up


Too good to be true


I had to ride about 20kms up on twisty local road X020 to reach G108. For the first time that day, road conditions were bad as the road is being prepared to receive the final layer of asphalt, after which it will be as perfect as the other two roads were. No quick riding was possible due to grinding patches and chippings all over. Shortly before I met G108, I stopped for rider refill and picture taking.


X020 - will be perfect with the new coating, maybe before the summer.


My loyal companion and ...


... see the antenna on top of the mountain? - my next destination, Baicaopan


I was back on G108 and had to ride East for about 20kms before reaching the turn off to Baicaopan at Longmentai. The next 35 kms or so will bring me up to over 2000m asl!!
The road has a concrete surface, coal-dust slippery for the first half but not bad to ride. Shortly after the coal dust ends, the toll gate appears and I had to buy a 40RMB ticked, well spent I have to add. The last 15 kms to the summit were also on concrete with good grip due to, what I believe, glass dust.
I reached the summit at 2024m asl and it was windy and chilly up there. I saw two cars on the way up and maybe five people up at the top. I soaked the scenic views, took some pictures, refilled the rider and finally made my way down towards national road G108.


The last turns of the cooal dust section


Ticket gate


Half way up


Nice road


Still some turns left


Turns and turns and turns


View from the top


View to the West


East view


Summit parking


Antenna


Man and machine


2024 meters


Road, wherever you look


On the way down


Didn't expect to meet this guy here


I reached G108 and headed East, towards Beijing and therefore home. I passed the turn off to increadible new road no. 2 and 10kms later the one to increadible new road no.1, where I stopped. 66 minutes later I stood at the same spot, but with the trip counter mystically showing 77kms more I thought it was a good idea to ride the two roads again, the other way round, without stopping for pictures just to burn fuel and increase tire wear A final rider refill before riding nonstop back home.


Signboard at the turn off - I love the 2nd one from below


And finally, a black Santana