Travelsonabike2 China Sunday 14th-October-2012

Garry McGivern Travelsonabike2 is cycle touring in China on Sunday, 14th-October-2012. Urumqi to Turpan. 121 miles. Got lost coming out of the city this morning. I thought I’d be clever and go out a different way to what I came in! I eventually asked a policeman who got his phone out. He pulled a map up and then drew me a copy. He did tell me that I wasn’t allowed on the motorway, which of course, I said I knew. I wouldn’t do that! Anyway, directions in hand, I set, and found the road I wanted to be on. But it was closed, so ended up on the motorway again!

It’s All Downhill

Think I’ve been up on a plateau for the past week. This afternoon I had a huge downhill. It must have been forty or fifty miles! The wind had also gotten up, which was blowing me along. I hadn’t realised how windy it was coming down that hill as I was flying anyway. It wasn’t until it levelled off and I changed direction I felt how strong it really was.

The wind was now coming across me. Although still slightly behind me. I had to ride my bike at a 45° angle, I had a real job just staying upright. Each time a lorry came past, I’d have to stop or be blown off the road. Even stopping, I had a job to stand up! Once the lorry had passed, trying to get going was just as hard. I was just blown off the road. Once I did manage to get going again, after a couple of turns of the pedals, I was up to 30 mph, and this was on the flat, the wind was that strong. Never known anything like it. Finished the day in a dust storm, I was glad to finish today it was pretty scary stuff!

Please Donate

Don’t forget the main reason behind my ride. I want to raise as much money for cancer research charities as possible. After my wife, Josie, died of breast cancer in 2007, aged only 42. Even the smallest donation helps. You can donate to Cancer Research UK or the Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation. Click on either one to donate. Every little bit helps to rid the world of this cruel disease.

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