Beijing - Qinghai - Beijing (Sep 2017)

**Metalmonkey** · 07-25-2017, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by a_steel

Alexey, you may consider another option: ride to Xining, have few days here, then leave bike in some place for storage for 1-2 months. then come here again, for example, in end September, take bike, ride it from here down to Sichuan or whenever else during National holidays (first week of October)

storage here isn't a big deal, I know at least two places where your bike will be safe till you come back.

I am considering to make ride from Xining to Chongqing at the end of September to visit CIMA 2017 (motorcycle exhibition).

Now THAT's a ride I want to go along on!!!!

Weirdly, I was checking this route out this morning in my old Lonely Planet.

map.jpg

**Lexeyich** · 07-25-2017, 05:38 AM

That one should be really nice! And reasonbly short - 1000 km.
But as I am based in BJ it will require different scnario - fly to Chengdu, rent a bike and go to Xining.
Can be put into the agenda for further travels!

**moilami** · 07-25-2017, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by prince666

I call the preparation the "3 F".
1.Fill the tank with petrol.
2.Fill my pockets with money.
3.Fill my bag with clothes.

The 3XF......
When all done go go go .

That is my way of preparing too

**Lexeyich** · 07-25-2017, 08:07 AM

Beijing - Xining - Beijing.jpg

Again, speaking out loud here, potentially I can do even round trip in 14 days. Cannot throw away the impression that I can do 500 km on avarage daily... and even have some sleepy days to walk around w/o riding.

Plus, the week after will be a Golden week so in case I am behind the schedule I can add a couple of days w/o being nervous that I have to be in BJ by a certain deadline sharp. So let me not sweep away this option for the time being.

**prince666** · 07-25-2017, 04:26 PM

Alex
I am sure you will be fine at 500km a day.
Pack the bike fill the tank, take some money and enjoy you ride.
I am sure stuff will pan out ok, and will give you a good Insight for the next ride.
What happens, happens so don't worrie about maybe I can maybe I can't.
Just a quicky note.
Just about to start 30 day ride on my new CFmoto 650 MT, been breaking in the bike over the last 6 weeks, clocked up over 6000 km.

In the last 3 day just before the start of the ride.

1 The gear sensor played up and I needed a new one.

2.The Speedo stop working, cant set trip to check fuel usage and km traveled.

3.And then tonight 50 km away from Ningbo on top of a mountain near the wind turbine farm the gear connecting rod broke ?
Was abel to select 2nd and had to ride 50km on mountain roads only using 2nd, to get to the Ningbo CFmoto dealer to remove the same part from a new MT in the show room.

What I am saying Alex "Shit happens".
So planing this and that IMO is not worth the time on day here in China on a Chinese bike.
I was lucky that the 3 items I was abel to sort out directly with CF in a very quick timely way.
You could be not so lucky mate.
So take it as it comes and your be fine.
Have a great trip.
Keep the rubber down.

**moilami** · 07-25-2017, 05:08 PM

My plans for my next big ride is to go to first or so gasoline station and ask the merchant say some place in the world, and then go drive towards it :)

**prince666** · 07-25-2017, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by moilami

My plans for my next big ride is to go to first or so gasoline station and ask the merchant say some place in the world, and then go drive towards it :)

That the way, just hope it Don't say CHINA. Lol

**Hok** · 07-26-2017, 01:39 AM

Agree with Prince666, if it is your first time on China roads, you need to plan a buffer for lost time and failures, lost, bike pushing etc. If your Chinese not so good, would suggest you arrange for a very good friend that you can call anytime (3 am?) and can help you translate on the phone with locals in case of emergencies.

Also have a waterproof bag with your info, where you are from,. emergency contact, all in Chinese and put on your tank or obvious pockets etc. just in case... since you are 2 up. I have this when I ride alone.

**Lexeyich** · 07-26-2017, 02:23 AM

Thanks Hok! Yes, my very limited Chinese is something that challenging my trip more than anything else:))
Good point on personal info leaflet in Chinese!:)

**Lexeyich** · 07-26-2017, 06:32 AM

So now I though about the travel route in more detail.
There are still numerous open issues/grey areas (where to spend nights, No. of ride-free days etc) but general view on milestones is below:

Day 1
Beijing - Hohhot 490 km
Hohhot - Baotou 186 km
Beijing - Baotou.JPG

Day 2
Baotou - Bayan Nur 251 km
Bayan Nur - Wuzhong 371 km
Baotou Wuzhong.jpg

Day 3
Wuzhong-Zhongwei 142 km
Zhongwei - Wuwei 293 km

Wuzhong Wuwei.JPG

Day 4
Wuwei - Xining 338km or 423 km or 526 km (the shortest way is a curvy one through the mountains though - see pic)
Wiwei - Xining.jpg

Day 5-6-7
Around Qinghai Lake & sightseeing:
Xining - Gangca - Shinaihaixiand-Xining 543 km

Qinghai Lake.jpg

Day 8/9
Xining - Dingbian 678 km

Day 10
Dingbian - Taiyuan 542 km

Day 11/12
Taiyuan - Beijing 491 km

This framework still allows me to have flexibility and add extra days on the road if needed.

Will keep thinking and onboarding your advises.