Planning
Just a little peek. Still need to add fenders and switch out the tires to Panaracers.
I want to thank Chain’s Sprockets here in Shanghai for doing such an awesome job on the build. It’s the smoothest ride I’ve had in a long time. Chain’s also helped support the cause by giving me a wonderful discount and did not include a fee for the top of the line labor. Best shop in Shanghai, perhaps China – hands down.
I’ll give a run down of components later.
So it seems that the Saga has gained some popularity, not to mention that some of my friends have become very interested in this bike because of their generosity. I was expecting to get the frame shipped to me while I was in the States, but they were behind orders for 54 frames. I’m still in the States, preparing to return and just got notice of the arrival of my frame to my home in Shanghai.
Thanks to Carl Parker and his motorcycle forums.
I am not going to post all the info I acquired from such a kind and giving source. It would be too easy for anyone to use all the info I have been researching for over a year, work for what you want, right?
I learned that my previous route cutting along the Tibetan plateau and heading SW through Qinghai Route of the Silk Road is very difficult…and perhaps insane for someone traveling alone and at least with my little experience and knowledge of the area.
Rather than taking the the Qinghai Route I will cross the Taklamakan Desert on a main route somewhere between Khotan and Charchan, closer to the latter. There is water supply throughout the desert and then I will backtrack towards Dunhuang, even though I took the Northern route already. Depending on time, I may jump on a train/bus since I have already cycled this area…no it’s not cheating, it’s rather beating wintertime in NW China.
Dangers along the Qinghai route: furious sandstorms, lack of water, large open asbestos mine, and often you will need a permit to get through because of all the prisons in the West.
NOTE: After nearly a year of planning, it is still impossible for foreigners to trek through Tibet without a tour group or the correct paperwork. I constantly see postings on forums by foreigners wanting to cycle through Tibet – right now, don’t attempt it, it is nearly impossible. Either way, I don’t want my visitation rights to China ripped away from me. Obey the government when a guest.
I am so stoked, after many emails, to finally get a hold of Stan at Soma Fab – they have granted me a fantastic Saga for the tour.
Thanks to my mom’s input and an email to the guys at The Simple Map CLICK HERE, I will be using this really handy and nifty map for cyclists.
At the beginning of 2009 – I had my heart on applying to Graduate School for Journalism. My background being photography, I wanted to add something to my credentials – not leave it behind. So I figured, I would just apply and go off for a bike ride around China for 6 months. Here I am, nearly 2 months into planning this journey and I find myself pushing the lift off date back BUT lengthening my trip indefinitely.
Graduate School will always be there- and well, being an American living in China, learning the language and customs…I have to take advantage of this.
Many people are surpised when I tell them the only country out of America I have ever been is China. “Not even Europe?!” is the typical response. No, not even France or the UK.
About 4 months after graduating college (in the winter) I was in a full time, “real person” job. Salary and a 401k and all of that. Yes, so my friends were leaving me behind to go travel wherever, however. I was really, really envious – and then getting to hear of their travels upon their return…only made me feel like I was missing out on something that everyone did in their early twenties.
Here I am, age is irrelevant – but let’s just say late 20’s, and I am so glad I put it off. It’s not that I had much of a choice, but I this trip is going to matter, it’s going to say something…it’s something so much greater than going to Graduate School for 12 months.
I have obtained much needed information about traveling into Tibet during this week. It is next to impossible. Now I hear that I may have similar difficulties getting into XianJiang Province.
This was my “dream” plan. Little did I know that Mongolia has only 1 International Border Crossing…it’s near that point on the Southeastern Border of Inner/Outer Mongolia. Surprisingly enough – I wasn’t too far off of that point. After stumbling upon Erika’s book and site, “Where the Pavement Ends” – I learned I have only 1 option.
…was the day I decided to do this. really, truly, with all my heart, decided to do this.
Well, I could say that the planning of this trip first developed during the first week of June of this year…a week before my birthday. But, thinking more, I realize that I have been dreaming of this for awhile…was it when I arrived in Shanghai to live last September? Or was it during my first visit to China, my first exit of the dear ol’ US of A?
Maybe it goes further than those moments…to the days of a 5 year old girl wearing her favorite set of PJ’s, the ones with Cowboy’s on horses. Through the days of thumbing through National Geographic magazines and wandering through the woods…pretending to be living alone in the wilderness…of her backyard. Up through the days of college, with her continued fascination of being a Cowboy in the lonesome and wild West.
circa 2001 – Copyright Eleanor Moseman
After graduating in 2002, dreaming of running to some far off place. To see, to experience…to push myself…to find my breaking point.
Living here in Shanghai has been difficult, looking for work, finding friends…finding myself. Everyday, I was telling myself…if I could just get out of this city to see the country. Looking at myself in the mirror every morning wondering how I was contributing to the greater part of humanity. Being an expat makes you realize how small the world is…and how much smaller your life is in the whole picture. Who cares how much money you make, or what kind of clothes you wear, or the car you drive…it’s what you do to help others, the positive difference you can make in someone’s life. I am no martyr by any means – but life is too short to live a life chasing money and material possessions.
So here I am, wanting to see Asia, wanting to make a difference, and letting the world know…as a young woman…I can do both of these and make an impact someone’s life. In parts of the Eastern/Middle Eastern World, women are still considered lesser than our male counterparts. Sure, make your assumptions about women in China – we have all heard the stories of discarded female babies in rivers. This isn’t really relevant these days, but the boy is still valued higher in the countryside and if a family has more than one child – the boy is going to school. And of course there are schools being burned to the ground in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the sex trade/smuggling in Southeast Asia. I watch interviews of little girls in Afghanistan, after their school being forced to shut down, saying how they want to be doctor’s or a President. I am a firm believer if you want to see a difference in this World, you start with the children.
In June, with nothing to lose, I decided to do a bicycle trip around Asia. Now, somewhere in my heart, it just felt a bit selfish…roaming around Asia…on two wheels…aimlessly. I needed a true mission, something that meant more. After research, and knowing I am not the only woman riding around the World, it clicks…do it for the girls! What a better way to get a point across, than an independent American woman riding her bike around Asia to promote education for girls. I am fortunate enough to be of a Nationality where education can be afforded (with a slight debt of Government Loans), my dreams would never have culminated to the point they are now.
When I think of myself 20 years ago, lying down on the floor, my face buried in magazines and books…dreaming of exotic lands and people…never would I have imagined my life where it is now. Thanks to all my teacher’s – especially the women – that pushed my imagination, the encouragaged my creativity. To my current mentor’s – that remind me to embrace who I am. And most of all to my parents – for always reminding me that the world is completely open to me and I can do anything. Who would of thought, a modern day Cowboy.
In November, I began rock climbing here in China…and to teach myself I pulled every online resource I could. I have become a loyal listener of podclimber.com. When I was thinking of an organization to ride for…I remember hearing about Girls Education International on this podcast: www.podclimber.com
Excellent! An organization established and run by women, for women and girls. I chose this particular organization because I felt that no matter how much money I raised – it would make a difference. How often have you donated $15 to the WWF, PETA, or any of those large foundations only to have about $30 worth of mail dropped on your porch asking for donations. If I had not donated $15 – they would of saved $15! Simple math folks…quit bombarding me for money when I see how much postage costs and all that paper stuffed in the envelopes.
I pulled some resources such as
www.foundationlibrary.org
www.how2fundraise.org
and contacted Girls Ed to see if it would be okay if I promoted them on my site for my 6 month trip around China. And here we are…I am still planning…and hoping for a trip even longer than 6 months.
