Prep for Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu and beyond

**humanbeing** · 02-21-2012, 05:49 AM

ANY bike mechanic at that altitude knows the quick trick-- Put copper wire (about hair size ) in jet

**fahni** · 02-21-2012, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by humanbeing

ANY bike mechanic at that altitude knows the quick trick-- Put copper wire (about hair size ) in jet

Awsome, thanks for the advice!

**fahni** · 05-21-2012, 06:04 AM

Four days to go!

Yesterday I gave my bike into the caring hands of the very friendly and helpful staff at Beijing West Railway station and it will arrive in Chengdu by Tuesday. It had a thorough check-up, the oil and spark plug have been changed, all the bolts checked, chain straightened, etc.

Got spare chain link, spokes, tubes, spark plug and packed some camping gear just in case I pass by a camping spot that is too good to miss.

Will fly to Chengdu on Thursday and start riding on Friday. More updates once I am on the road!

**euphonius** · 05-21-2012, 06:13 AM

Have a great ride! What was the charge for shipping your bike all the way to Chengdu?

cheers!

**filipu** · 05-21-2012, 06:28 AM

good luck！

**fahni** · 05-21-2012, 07:35 AM

Thanks for your good wishes! Hope the weather goods are on my side as well...

Shipping was almost 900 kuai for a 138 kg bike. There would have been a slightly cheaper fare but that would probably not have arrived in time...

**euphonius** · 05-21-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by fahni

...Shipping was almost 900 kuai for a 138 kg bike. There would have been a slightly cheaper fare but that would probably not have arrived in time...

You'd probably have spent more in petrol alone if you'd ridden Beijing-Chengdu. Did you get a decent air fare?

cheers!

**fahni** · 05-22-2012, 01:04 AM

Yeah, I can't complain about the shipping fare. Plane ticket was just under 1000 kuai.

**euphonius** · 05-22-2012, 01:58 AM

This is the true beauty of shipping by train. Cut out all the crappy eastern China riding, arrive fresh and start your riding in great riding country. This may be less obvious to you lucky guys in Beijing who have tons of great riding all around, but for us in the endless city it's priceless.

cheers

**fahni** · 05-22-2012, 03:01 AM

You are probably right. But what struck me most is the efficiency of the system and the politeness and friendliness of the staff involved. I was expecting major mafan but it was a straightforward procedure: dry the tank, weight the bike, roll it into their loading area and go to the counter to fork over the money.

And today I already received a very polite phone call from the Chengdu station informing me that the bike has arrived and will be stored until I pick it up. I mean, we probably all know situations where a simple problem turns out to involve a lot of red tape and paperwork, but this was as easy as it can get. Let's hope the bike is still in one peace when I pick it up...