Friendship Ride

Day 61 (Nov 02) Shanghai - Wuxi (131km)

 EVENTFUL GOODBYE TO SHANGHAI
Wee Yin organised a group of cyclists to ride with me for 55km to Kunshan.

A short distance after we started, a spoke in the rear wheel broke. An hour later, we got one puncture. The group waited for us to fix the problems.

These two days were exceptionally hot. I didn't have to put on my jacket. I wonder when the cold weather will hit us.

At about noon, I said goodbye to Wee Yin and his friends. They were going to have crabs for lunch! But I still have a long way to go.

At Suzhou, I met with Peter Chan and his family. His son Joshua had emailed me while I was in Singapore and wanted to ride with me from Suzhou to Wuxi. He is enthusiastic and had bought a bike to train for this 45-km ride. He did well. I hope after this ride, he will continue to enjoy riding and perhaps start a bike club in his school.

At Wuxi, we met up with Peter's friend, Nicholas Cho. He has kindly arranged accommodation for us in Singapore Wuxi Executive Club. They all took us to a very nice dinner. We found out that Nic is a good friend of us who loves jetskiing. He told us some interesting stories. He is a rebel and an adventurer at heart.

Cheers. Swee Chiow
Day 62 (Nov 03) Wuxi - Jiangdu (151km)

YANGTZE CROSSING & A HARD DAY
50 km north of Wuxi is the Yangtze River.

As expected, it is as murky as any other rivers we have crossed with lots of cargo and passenger vessels. I didn't find it inspiring. The north wind is blowing hard today. I found it hard going.

My legs are aching at the end of the day even after the rest day at Shanghai.

Gotta take it slower now. It's still another 1000km to go.

That's a long way.

Cheers. Swee Chiow
Day 63 (Nov 04) Jiangdu - Huaian (161km)

7,000KM AND STILL ROLLING!!
The ride today is much more pleasant.

The road goes along the canal with trees lining both sides.

The wind blew from the east and changed to southerly in the afternoon. Thank God for that.

I never knew wind is such a major factor in cycling. Well, now I know, on this long trip. We finally crossed 7,000km mark today. It's a long way here from home.

I am very eager to complete this journey now.

Cheers. Swee Chiow
Day 64 (Nov 05) Huaian - Xinyi (120km)

TIRED LEGS
It was freezing this morning. I think it was 10C. The first hour was very tough. My muscles were cold and stiff. Luckily, there was no wind.

At the end of the day, I felt some pain in my right quads. I strained it 6 months ago while training for this ride. My right leg is weaker than my left leg and I must have strained it today starting in the cold.

Eileena, my physiotherapist friend, sent me a sms and today and suggests a hot shower in the morning before stretching. I'll do that tomorrow.

Today is the first time I had to wear the red jacket the whole day. My yellow jersey took a rest for the first time, after 63 days.

Let's see what tomorrow holds. 7 more days to go.

Cheers. Swee Chiow
Day 65 (Nov 06) Xinyi - Feixian (139km)



COLD & WINDY SHANDONG
We entered Shandong province today.

The first interesting thing we noticed is that most people here do not eat rice. They have "mun-tou" or dumpling.

This part of Shandong like the neighboring northern Jiangsu where we have just traveled thru, is poor.

We see lots of farm with very small villages scattered along the road.

Cheers. Swee Chiow
Day 66 (Nov 07) Feixian - Sishui (87km)

AN EPIC DAY
It finally rained. The last time we saw rain was on Day 28 in Vietnam. That is 39 days ago.

But the problem with raining now is that it is freezing cold. It was 5C in the morning. To add to the problem is the strong north wind.

God decided to put it all together - rain, wind and the cold. I was not ready for this. As a result, I was drenched wet.

At 11am, I stopped at a petrol kiosk and jumped into the 4x4 to get warm and dry.

Arriving in Beijing on the 12th is not feasible now. We have to delay it by one day to 13th.

Just when I thought it is home run. I guess God is saying, not yet.

Cheers. Swee Chiow

Day 67 (Nov 08) Sishui - Taian (105km)

500KM TO GO & FROZEN CYCLIST
We are now in Taian in Shandong province. No report for some time now as we have been very tired for this stretch.

The weather changed drastically yesterday - rain, strong wind, cold (5C) and then snow ! It was an epic day. I was not prepared for the condition and managed only 87km.

I got soaked wet and miserable. Luckily, Amos brought his goretex jacket. Went shopping for some warm and waterproof clothes last night. Feeling much better today.

The last time it rained was Day 28 in Vietnam. That's 40 days ago! That's a record. I guess we cannot have too much of the good things. I strained my muscles in the cold. It's really hard to warm up now in the freezing cold.

Going slow now. I was hoping to arrive on the 12th but it's 14th now. Just when I thought it's home run, God says, not yet.

6 more days and 500km to go and counting.

Cheers. Swee Chiow
Day 73 (Nov 13) Beijing
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!