Some time has passed by since my first “pen to paper” (or in my case finger to keyboard). I have done a few more km and finally my way is taking me back to the wild west.

Bike is serving its purpose- shall I say working its full time. The muscles are slowly building up and now even the uphills are becoming joy. (Just my Achil on my left leg is still complaining To ride the bike on rad is already one big pleasure, it’s fun and a pleasure having “couch on two wheels”. Cycling uphills there is a small problem of having all the weight on the back of the bike and using different muscles and style of riding. Instead of using power of your legs you have to keep the rhythm high. It makes it easier if I cycle Zig- Zag. It is a bit more complicated duo to the fact, the bike needs more space to do turns and the handlebars are close to upper par of the legs.

But the rally uphills are still waiting for me in the following weeks. By the end of summer I am going to start pedaling uphill towards Tibet from the south part and the story will repeat again.

The advantage of the bike is, for sure the comfort and the fact as soon you stop, you already are sitting on really comfortable chair.
All that they say about these bikes is true. And there is another truth, too - the fat from my butt is gone…(Different muscles are in use.)

Still the negative side is, when cycling around in this neck of the woods, you are “the attraction”. In the cities it is just unbearable. (I know I have to get a thicker skin, speciall approaching India.) The villages are OK; Lots of times people just give you a smile and laugh. But when putting Chinese on my bike (of course, I am always standing behind to balance them.) they realize it’s somehow strange. (As they often ask: What is that?)

Technically the bike is good, very good. Sometimes it produces some strange noise (My biggest fear - the crank - and again little sound is there..) and then I need to look closer for a little maintenance. A bit of oil here and there and all is well and running again.

I am still looking and thinking how to reduce my luggage. The truth is simple. “Less is better”

That is all for today. It is spring out here. Take time, go out…to the nature. Enjoy.

*** I do apologize to English readers, but translating is taking longer to the time I want to spend in front of PC. So here and there I am going to translate the important things, but not all. Sorry for that…If there is someone with extra free time, welcome to join me…:)****

1. Rob Thomson Says:
   May 17th, 2007 at 2:35 pm

   Marija,

   Great to see your updates on the website. Your photos are inspiring me to get back on the road as soon as possible!

   Keep safe and enjoy your riding!

   Rob

2. Martin Says:
   June 12th, 2007 at 9:33 am

   Hello Marija. You follow your dreams and that is nice.
   I noticed that you travelled to Bejing on an ordinary bike. Why you switched to AZUB a and how did they transport it to you? Where have you got all the money for the rather EXPENSIVE AZUB and everything else. You had to work a lot before starting your journey didnt you? Bicycle is very cheap way of transportation I have to admit, and I am glad to it. But travelling so far does take much money, doesnt it?
   Take care, wish you nice trip home!
   I have a dream of riding some of AZUB equipment too