An email I wrote to Erika Warmbrunn:
Dear Erika,
My name is Eleanor and I found your book through Amazon looking for books in preparation for my own bicycle adventure in China. I read the Prologue on the website and I feel a common connection with you at the time of your adventure.
***omitted***
What I wanted to ask you is what do you suggest in preparation, what did you read, etc? I see that you altered between Mass Transit and Bicycle a couple of times – and China is changing so fast that it is a very likely chance that there are roads everywhere.
Right now I am looking at starting in Shanghai travel North through Mongolia and back through the Western part of China – through the Muslim communities, i.e. Urumqi – and then South with possibilities into India and Burma. I have a lot of questions about getting through Mongolia – I have always been attracted to that country but hear different stories about getting there and traveling through. I wanted to Leave in August this year but I may end up postponing until March and start South then be in the North by summer. My worries come from “where will I sleep” – but I can’t allow those fears to start creeping in – before I have even begun.
Any words would be so greatly appreciated – like what might have you done differently, what I should think about packing. This is definitely not an athletic expedition – but just me doing something for myself, and some serious soul searching.
All the best,
Eleanor Moseman
PS – would you recommend I read your book now for answers, or hold off to afterward – so I have my own adventure without subconscious influences.