Nice to know that the downtown ban has made Hangzhou unrideable. It's good to know you can get plated in the suburbs, if indeed that's the case. Authorities seem really intent on removing unplated and unlicensed riders from China's streets, but banning bikes outright is certainly the wrong way to do it.

I hope you'll post a ride report or two of your group rides in the Zhejiang, and include maps for the really sweet stuff!

cheers