Today Weather : 17 - 26C Intermittent afternoon rains
Time On Bike : 7 hr 26 min
Ave Speed : 15.7 kmh Max : 55.0 kmh
Ave Climb : 3% Max : 13%
Trip Altitude : 945 m Max : 1286 m
Today Spend : 82 rmb Total : 1329.5 rmb
Very lucky today I met a solo chinese cyclist as I barely started the ride out from my hotel on Dali-Lijiang route G214. He was stopping by the road side busy taking pictures. I saw his upright bicycle was fully loaded, so very naturally, I pulled over to say hello and hoping to strike up a conversation with him. He was very friendly and introduced himself as Jin , 36 years old from Dali in his first day to Lhasa in Tibet. Iniatially,Jin told me he has a partner for this trip but pulled out last minute. Nevertheless Jin was determined to go solo , unaffected by this sudden setback in realising his dream of cycling to Tibet. Taking advantage of his situasion, I offer myself to be his new partner. Why not? since both needed a partner to take care of each other, sharing the cost of foods and accomodations and a common destination- Lhasa. It's a win-win situasion. Jin who speaks very good mandarin and a little ok English, was more than happy to accept my offer,as for me, with a local partner around,I am hoping this will help my entry to Tibet. We followed the G214 route at the northern end of the big Erhai lake, on the flat land on both sides, many farmers were seen harverting the golden paddies, and you can see smiling faces around after the hard work from planting the seed to finally harvesting the fruits. Soon after the flat land of paddies field, we came to a big climb of 11 km, gaining 850 m in altitude, then followed by a great downhill to our destination for the day in Jian Chuan. Checked into a hotel for 80 rmb It was already dark when we went for dinner in the town.Nothing much to do, back to hotel and slept early for a well earn rest.
Golden paddies on both sides
Harversted stalk of paddies neatly arranged
Road between the golden paddies
And the mountains at the far end
Now I have someone to take my photo
Traditional beating the stalk on the giant basket to segregate the paddies
Part of Erhai lake view
After the flat paddies land .Now the climb...
Road getting a bit bumpy...
Don't forget to stop,even if you enjoy the climb
My new found partner- Jin, skinny but strong
Our room ( rmb 80 ) in Jian Chuan