Ride Report: China, "The Middle Kingdom Ride"

[felix]

Some shit luck there guys, hope you get the bikes running again soon and don't have to cut your trip any shorter.

Outstanding support by chinabiker!!!

[ryanjpyle]

Oh man, I know how it feels!
I fried my clutch between Lhaze and Tingri when Mt Everest was almost visible.
Enjoy the stay in Lhasa!

tare, that is really harsh. We've managed to pick up a replacement clutch. We are on our way back to EBC tomorrow.

Ryan

[ryanjpyle]

Some shit luck there guys, hope you get the bikes running again soon and don't have to cut your trip any shorter.

Outstanding support by chinabiker!!!

Felix,
We won't be cutting our trip short. We need to get the miles down. I'll keep you posted on our progress. We are back on the road tomorrow.
Ryan

[ryanjpyle]

DAY 42
Today the MKRIDE team put our motorcycle troubles aside and decided to explore Lhasa for all it's mystical glory. Sadly it's high season for tourism and the place is packed. We visited the Sera Monastery and watched the monks debate, but could barely see the monks through the throngs of tourists wielding massive digital cameras and lenses. After the monastery we finished up with a walk around the Jokang Monastery and a quiet dinner at the Snowlands Restaurant. It was nice not to think about the bikes for a whole day.

[ryanjpyle]

DAY 43
Today the MKRIDE team starting putting back together our motorcycles again. First we had to get Colin's tire fixed, which took two seconds. From there we visited the storied Potala Plalce and had an lovely time. After that we met with Leo, who is a friend of a friend who flew from Guangzhou to Lhasa with our replacement clutch. The original package left from BMW Toronto on Tuesday, arrived in Hong Kong on Friday and showed up in Lhasa on Saturday. Amazing supply chain. It should also be noted that Chinabiker (Andy in BJ) has procured another clutch for us from Vienna , in case we have our second bike goes down with a bad clutch. That second clutch will arrive in Lhasa on Monday. Amazing support from our riding community in China, and from our friends and followers at BMW in Toronto! Just to let everyone know, we managed to swap out our own clutch using this POST on the popular blog ADVRider.com.

[ryanjpyle]

DAY 44
Today the MKRIDE team has two working BMW F800GS motorcycles for the first time in what seems like months, but it has only been about 5 days. We fought a burnt clutch, a busted gasket, leaking oil and a host of other issues over the last few days. But alas today is our last day in Lhasa. To celebrate we'll visit the market around the Jokang Monastery and do some last minute shopping, and enjoy a feast at the Snowlands Restaurant before heading in to the back country again. Tomorrow from Lhasa the MKRIDE team will head back West near to the point where they broke down a few days back and continue their journey to Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC), and then backtrack to Lhasa again before heading out of Eastern Tibet. The journey to EBC will be a great test for the bikes, and my new clutch, as well top out near 5200m above sea level. We've got a tough few days ahead, and we have a tough few days behind us. Time to get cracking and get back on home to Shanghai.

[ryanjpyle]

Hi folks. This is an amazing POST on how to fix a burnt clutch on www.ADVRIDER.com. We followed the instructions and we have a working motorcycle, for the moment :)

[tare]

Good news that you are back on the road!
I read that there was a minor outbreak of pneumonic plague but it should have been contained already. The cases were in Nyingchi, east of Lhasa by the G318, I think.
Just don't go petting any rodents!
http://www.tibetanreview.net/news.php?&id=7310

[ryanjpyle]

Good news that you are back on the road!
I read that there was a minor outbreak of pneumonic plague but it should have been contained already. The cases were in Nyingchi, east of Lhasa by the G318, I think.
Just don't go petting any rodents!
http://www.tibetanreview.net/news.php?&id=7310

tare,
We actually do have to go through that town in a few days time as we exit Tibet. Will do our best to stay away from Rodents.
Ryan

[ryanjpyle]

Ryan his brother and Leo.jpg

I just wanted to introduce everyone to Leo, he was able to deliver a clutch to us in Lhasa! A real hero. Thanks so much Andreas and Leo for all your support.

It should also be noted that Chinabiker has also delivered a second clutch to Lhasa, because our second bike is in need of clutch work as well. Sadly I don't have a picture for that.

I think it is amazing that the riding community in China helped out so much on this recent breakdown. Honestly, this kind of support is amazing and I can't thank you all enough. I hope I have a chance to pay back the favor at some stage in the future.