Leaving Dun Huang on fabulously flat and smooth road snaking through the desert towards Jiquan to visit the west end pass or gate of the Great Wall Of China. I have been looking forward to this for years as the … Continue reading →

Frankie wasn’t happy with the hotel so we moved up the street to a new one called Guanyuan. Way better. Mogao Caves were carved out of the rock around 1500 years ago by early Buddhist monks. The caves include two … Continue reading →

Bit of a strange day today. It’s two years since my dad passed away and also the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist party. Been thinking a lot about him on today’s ride (my dad, not Chairman … Continue reading →

I’m staying two nights in Turpan as Frank has organised a day’s sight seeing. First up we vist the Karze Aquafier Museum dedicated to the hand dug underground rivers built over 1500 years ago to capture water from rainfall and … Continue reading →

By christ it was cold last night. And my tent leaks like a sieve in a rain storm so will be looking for a Chinese replacement. But what a way to wake up seeing the sun rise over the lake! … Continue reading →

Next morning we have the import licence for the Tiger so we head off early to Yining to sort out my chinese driving licence and number plate. Mr. Sh’s sat nav is playing up so it takes a while to … Continue reading →

I’m genuinely feeling sad to leave Kazakhstan this morning but equally excited about crossing into China. The riding, the poeople, the country, the deserts, even the big bad scary roads have been one hell of an experience in Kazakhstan and … Continue reading →

The trip meter stopped working just outside Almaty so I’ve had to reset it, so here are the stats so far since leaving London and arriving at the Kazakhstan/China border. Distance travelled to the border – approx 8,000 kms Av … Continue reading →

Woke to the sound of lashing rain, no water in the bathroom and a stroppy, drunk (at 8 in the morning) hotel caretaker getting a little punchy with me and trying to squeeze more money out of me for my … Continue reading →

Urghhhhhh … feeling rough after last night’s beer, vodka and lamb ribs fest. Decided to hang out here and head for the border tomorrow. Chilled out watching Russian footie.If Arsene Wenger thinks he has goalkeeper problems he shouls take a … Continue reading →