Miyi – Hanyuan

17th May 2014      32’C       400km
Miyi – Hanyuan

Today’s ride from Miyi to Hanyuan was the usual mix of both excellent and poor Chinese roads.  I’ve come to the conclusion that when the Chinese build a road they do it absolutely perfectly, but when they don’t, it is the compete opposite.  Fortunately most of today was spent on perfectly built roads.  Unfortunately, driving skill of most drivers is atrocious.  I was overtaken, and forced off the road by a cop in a police car today, who was smoking a cigarette and talking on his mobile at the same time as trying to negotiate a bend.  And that was one of the less aggressive confrontations!

The huge elevated freeway that crosses the mountains made for great photos, as motorbikes are not allowed to use the freeway, I’m forced onto the backroads with the trucks, but the views were better on those B-roads anyway, even if they are slower and less direct.  The construction of the freeway necessitated the building of many site offices and apartments for the construction workers, now that work is complete, the buildings are abandoned leaving ghost towns all across Sichuan. It’s very bizarre to see these huge abandoned towns.

At our stop for lunch, I was encouraged to push out my own noodles on the noodle press.  The noodles were orange in colour and a strange texture, I’m told they were made from some type of plant that also is used to make tea.

Today was a long day, 400km and nearly 9 hrs riding.  Tonight we feasted on Sichuan rabbit , which was delicious.  Tomorrow should be a shorter day, I’m getting close to needing a few days rest, that should be possible in Chengdu soon.

Hanyuan is a new town, the old town sits underwater at the bottom of the gorge, which was dammed and flooded to generate hydro power. I’ve lost count of how many dams I’ve passed. Countless.

The hotel I’m staying in tonight is opposite a construction site that works at night.  The bathroom has maximised the use of space, with the toilet, shower and sink all sharing the same 1 square metre.  Don’t drop the soap.