It was at this point that I learned not to rely on google maps too much. Turns out they can't always keep up with the pace of China's change. The G109 would have taken us exactly where we needed to go, but it turns out they had ripped that entire stretch up to turn it into a highway. The locals I asked all say you could still drive it all the way through, but it was all pretty rough dirt. Oh, and it was raining. Not a good combo for a 125 loaded down with two people and their gear. And plenty of Semi Trucks to make sure you died if you slipped in the mud.


(7 of 121) by HamSandwichChina, on Flickr

Baxi was a good sport and walked along the side while I tried to push the bike through the muck. At one point the water got deep and the bike stalled. Luckily it started right back up. At a certain point all of the Semi trucks got off of the dirt road onto a magical highway 高速 that just appeared out of nothing. Then it was just us trying to make it on the G109. After I while of pushing/walking we realized it was hopeless and we would never make it on that road unless it was dry. It was time to turn around. Unfortunately we would not be making it to Ordos that day.


(8 of 121) by HamSandwichChina, on Flickr