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I went riding for two days over the National Day holidays (1st-7th October 2006). I went with my friends from the Shaoxing Bike Club. We revisited the Four Peaks Mountains.
Riding through a bamboo thicket
I was persuaded to wear the latest gear for bike-riding. I was informed it would make me look good – it would bring out the best in me. All it seemed to do was bring out my belly. At least it all matched.
Not all of China is bamboo thicket. LOTS of China is factories. Often we ride past miles of factories making all manner of products, named in the most charming English. For example: “The Zhejiang World Socks Manufactury & Production Facility Coy Pty Ltd”, or, “Hangzhou Toothpaste & Toiletries Production Coy P/L”. I don’t know what the building behind was for. I was more intent on the sixth member of our group who was to meet us at this corner.
He arrived a few moments after we arrived.
We then moved off along a “National Highway”. Riding along these roads is better than one might think. They offer smooth paved surfaces and a bike land that is free of motor vehicles. [Other bike lanes have many, many non-bike vehicles in them.]
They can also be a faster way out of the built-up areas. Here “The Accountant” (so named because of his profession) is pushing his thick tyred bike along at about 30km/h.
Chinese are discovering bikes. This sounds a little crazy to a foreigner, given than so many Chinese have bikes. What they are discovering is that they can come in so many different colours, shapes and sizes: they used all be large, black, with a traditional triangular frame. We’ve seen my Shimano, The Accountant’s mountain(ish) bike, and here we see Zhang Yong’s (that’s his real name – most bikers call him “Aaron” because that’s his “biker’s name”) and The Car Salesman’s folding bike.
This is a close-up of Zhang Yong's "racer". He's been in professional bike races on this thing.
The Car Salesman (left) and Zhang Yong (right) from the front.
More proof that I should wear baggy clothing when riding.
The Engineer showing his speed.
Me, showing my age and weight. What I'm actually saying to the cameraman is, "Don't take any more f***ing photographs of me!" Unfortunately his English language ability was temporarily disabled.
Despite the fast moving trafic, riding like this is quite relaxing - and safe.
Autumn in China can be quite green, especially off the beaten track. These are rice paddies almost ready to harvest.
Smaller roads are much prettier than highways. They are located throughout Zhejiang.
The Engineer. Note that he is the only rider without a helmet. The Shaoxing Bike Club prefers it's member to wear bright cloathing or packs (to make them visible to passing vehicles), to wear helmets (for safety), and to carroy out all garbage that they carry into an area (or place it in a suitable rubbish recepticle).
It is not aparent that my clothing has bright reflective tape. The farmer is riding his tricycle into town for spare parts. If a bike path is opened in China, it immediately fills up with tricycles who use the bike path as a public commercial road rather than a source of leisure.
Everyone has a drink
What we see whilst having a drink
What we've just riden along for a few kilometres.
A view from a bridge
The bridge. Note all but one have helmets.
The hills we will climb.
The road gets windier - and later, much steeper.
The Accountant rides past some recently cut rice.
The straw is left to dry.
Another, not so well preserved bridge, further upstream.
Consulting a map. The decision is relatively easy in reality. We either continue upstream (to the right) or retrace our steps back (to the left).
A village accross the river.
Another less well preserved bridge.
A quiet bend in the river.
In all probability, a Chinese person most probably fishes this section of river on a regular basis.
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