Chiang Mai Thailand to Lhasa Tibet on a Qingqi

[DanKearney]

All right! Keep it comin'. I had no idea about the earthquake and the rebuilding of old town LiJiang. Since my trip there a few yers ago I've been telling everyone about this beautiful "ancient" old town center. Guess I'm going to have to change my spiel. . .

Better be careful with your altitude sickness powder. Could be mistaken for something "stronger" by snooping authorities. :)

Cheers,

Dan K

[chinabiker]

Nice report of an exciting trip. I hope you will make it to Lhasa - keep us informed, some of us are eager to get there as well.

Save journey

[wuming]

You're not condoning a non-licenced foreigner riding a motorbike in China are you Chinabiker?

[chinabiker]

You're not condoning a non-licenced foreigner riding a motorbike in China are you Chinabiker?

He is riding a bike obviously registered in China, in Chengdu to be precise.
He may even have a Chinese dl and he doesn't indicate to stand above all law. Moreover he is apparently not that kind of guy to promote illegality as other idiots do

[wuming]

Chinabiker: He, by his own admission, has no Chinese driving licence. See this post on ADVrider (#46). Makes for very interesting reading re. attitude of (some) traffic police towards unlicensed foreigners.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=463179&page=4
As for not promoting illegality; he has said he is technically illegal, but rides none the less while posting his ("illegal") trip over at least two internet forums. Is that not "promotion"? You are either in favour of what he is doing, or you're not; I am just confused by your selective attitude on this matter.
By the way, excellent stuff Tall guy/beemer boy. Keep up the good work

[CrazyCarl]

Wuming,

If Chinabiker had berated Tall Guy for riding without a license, then he would have been accused of being an irrational hardass. On the other hand, if he tries to wish a temporary traveler in China good luck, he's flopping on his previous postion? Seems unreasonable to me.

I think Chinabiker's intent on emphasizing "riding by the books" was not as absolute and many may have perceived it to be. My impression of his attitude towards riding legally in China boils down to:

"If you can, you should."

This is not the same as saying: "No one should ever, under any circumstances, ride in China unless they have a license"

We all know Chinese licenses are practically impossible to obtain for some... like temporary guests and travelers. For long term residents, the process may be complicated but there is a route most residents can persue to get one. As a tourist/traveler Tall Guy takes his chances and will have to accept responsibility for his actions - just like the rest of us.

In MCM Pax,
CC

[Tall guy]

I am not a scofflaw, merrily going about my way farting at
local laws. I hold a Thai, American, and International
licenses. Legally I can ride in any country in the world. ....
Except China.....it is an absurd law, one that even the
Traffic police ignore. I suspect if a Chinese business man
goes to America to buy property, am pretty sure he can
rent a car and go shopping. And besides, unless the penalty
for no license is life imprisonment, am pretty sure I can
deal with the consequences......And to the expats/teachers
who are aghast at me riding around, take a chill pill.
Life is risk.

[bigdamo]

8888888888

[Brice]

Guys,

Can we avoid to pollute every RR with the never ending debate about riding legally or not in China?

TG is an experienced rider, his previous RRs and the way he dealt with issues show he knows his stuff.

He doesn't ask for help or support, he just give back to the rider community by sharing a real life story.

[ChinaV]

+1 what Brice said......

Good Luck Tall Guy!

Cheers!
ChinaV