Prince,
those pictures look pretty amazing. That sort of driving is what makes big trips worth it. How did your bike fare? Are the offroad tyres standard?

Pat,
thanks very much for the tips and information. I have thought about the Tibet part being somewhat fraught with red tape and additional expense, and considering dropping down into Yunnan once I hit Sichuan instead. I definitely never planned to go up into Qinghai on this trip, if that is what it takes.

In any case, I can play it by ear once on the road, and there will be plenty to see in any direction no doubt.

Lastly, I have just had my bike confiscated by the Jing'an police last Wednesday night (reason = Jiangsu plate). Now, I have heard from several people that have been stopped for the same reason about what happened to them, usually a fine, but none of that seemed to apply this time. I was as polite and apologetic as can be, and offered to pay the fine right there, but they said it wasn't an option. It needed to be impounded, and I could only get it back today... plus 3 points on my license.
Well, then I may have lost it a little bit and started pushing people, and now I may get it back in a few weeks... :(