Prep Round-China Bike trip, 2-up, April-May 2012

**Morfar** · 03-01-2012, 10:40 AM

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....??

**Fred** · 03-01-2012, 11:17 AM

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

**Gardo** · 03-02-2012, 03:20 AM

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.

**soberpete** · 03-02-2012, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by Gardo

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,
4900km in 8 days will be pretty intense. Are you going to create a thread for it?

**Fred** · 03-02-2012, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by Gardo

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.

Thanks Gardo, but 4900km trip in 8 days, and 1,930km in 2 days ??

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 ?

**soberpete** · 03-02-2012, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by Fred

Ooh, never mind, just saw that you're in the States, not in China !

oh yeah... I just noticed that too.
Not 'quite' as intense as it would be in the PRC.

**Gardo** · 03-02-2012, 04:13 AM

Originally Posted by Fred

Thanks Gardo, but 4900km trip in 8 days, and 1,930km in 2 days ??

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 ?

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 states

As for sleeping I'll set the cruise control

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

**soberpete** · 03-02-2012, 04:31 AM

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.

**Gardo** · 03-02-2012, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by soberpete

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

Here's the bike I am doing this all on

**soberpete** · 03-02-2012, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gardo

I have a good seat setup and the only cruise control is the throttle hand

Here's the bike I am doing this all on

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.com
Intense enough stuff in the USA. Wouldn't be much fun in China.
Ah.. The throttle hand... I see

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