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English Version 33
Sunday 04.05.08
Luojiang
I`m exhausted after yesterday hard ride. Can`t stop thinking if I eat
the right things. So to have some c-and a vitamins I eat 2 oranges and a
chocolate bar for breakfast besides the bread/cake things. Make it a
slow start so I`m not off until 9.45.
Yesterdays nightmare is changed into a beautiful dream. The road is
express way for bikes. 2 lanes and a shoulder in both directions and no
steep climbs. Not less than 8 on the scale. It`s beyond my wildest
dreams.
On my way out of town I meet two Chinese long distance bikers. I have to
turn around and catch up with them as they don`t see me. It`s a meeting
between equal parties. They are old too, on a big tour around China from
Qingdao (you know the beer?) and Shanghai to Nanjing, Kunming and here
at last Chengdu. We do the usual photo session and wishes the best of
luck. Have a safe journey and "man zou" - take care, or literally: slow
walk. It`s an expression I`ve picked up and I`m always given credit for
it.
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| Two long distance cyclists | Another milestone |
When I reach Mianyang things go wrong - again. Not all Chinese
remember that bicycles are not allowed on the express way, so although I
ask for direction I end up far out of town at the expressway.
I`m lucky that I only have to go about 2 km back, where I can take a
shortcut and as I climbed a lot the last 5 km I almost fly back "on the
track".
Then I continue till the southern gate to the express way. All seems to
go by the express way because nobody has thought about maintaining the
old G108. For more than 5-6 km there`s NO pavement at all. You ought to
have tried it to know about it - and don`t wish to. Then comes a part
with some pavement and at last it`s almost all right.
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| Mianyang is a big city | These machines are used for transport when not used in the fields |
It`s getting late and I`m tired and have decided to stop in a little
town called Luojiang. I`m awaiting a crossroad. There it comes and 5-6
houses. The road has crossed the railway as it should but this can`t be
it.
The road to the right seems the most likely. The bike is tumbling and
turning on something worse than G108. There are more houses but where is
the town?
I ask for lüguan. Just go on.
The next minutes seem surrealistic. First I get a phone call from my
brother back in Denmark here in the middle of nowhere (they`re worried
as they havn`t heard anything from me for some time) and the next second
a huge town is revealed behind a hill.
A town like this must have connections and this one can`t be connected
to the outside world by G108 that I`ve been following. There must be
another road at least south in the direction of Chengdu.
That I will find out in the morning. I`ve found a lüguan and my room is
on the 5. Floor and there`s an elevator! And NOW I need tea and cookies.
And a shower and some food.