1.4.2007 - 6.4.2007
Peking - Taian
Total: 617 km = 39h 29 min

“The end of one great adventure is simply the begging of the next.” - Marco Polo

And here I am. My first report from my way back or further. Yeap on Sunday I said good bye Beijing. last days were to short for all. I still hate to say goodbye. It is no fun and period. Nothing changed.

The way took me by Tiammen sq. going south. And after a bit more then 20 km from nice, clean Beijing center there was real China. When you do not know are you dreaming or all this is truth. Garbage, smells, small houses, chaos on road. Definition of being clean, got a new explanation. When I ask myself do i really need to do all this again. Have I had to leave the people that care for me behind. And to put and ask people to except me for who I am and demand nothing from me.

And so the first day passed. I managed to do 80 km in half a day. The sleeping was as usual. Remote, empty house - perfect for tired biker. (I am going to try not to put my tent up as long as possible and also eating outside where locals eat.)

Second day was great, great. The perfect day on two wheels. The feelings are not there yet. thanks God for music and MP3 players. With a bit of tailwind I manage to do 150 km in 8 hours. It was agood day. I wish that would continue. But no. No luck this time. My route is taking me south. But wind blows straight from south up in this part. And so I got new company - wind, day after day. My fellow co-bikers know me that I hate head wind (Rick I can see you smiling now…) It is simple thing that just killing me softly. I can push to uphill, bad roads or bike in heat or cold. But oh well there was no choice. The days were long. But still I am moving on.

The fact is that I started the trip this time with new bike. I am still adjusting to all. Also just getting used to the fact that here I am on my own night and days happy to go home the way I want.

By food there is no shortage. There is plenty of food everywhere. Usually I eat some type of bread for breakfast, noodles for lunch and some fruits to go after. And all that is cheap. Body still need to adopt to new conditions.

The route from Beijing to here is flat, flat with a bit of ups and downs. There are parts where is all you see just fields and then 30 km when you want to escape. Pollution, industry, dust and together with sand wind no good result at the end.

After one week I was ugly, ugly yesterday when I reached the hotel, which is classic for 3 EUR. Do not expect the cleanes place on earth, but you will get cold shower and chance to put bike in the room.

All who celebrate Easter - happy holiday and to everyone else sunshine and smiles. I am back on the road.