Travel Notes | Cycling on Qinghai Lake

May you be free

A constant travel companion

BE YOUNG BE HAPPY

A person's travel

stop-and-go

eat and drink

No need to accompany

Qinghai Lake, the interface between the lake and the sky, is the sustenance of the soul.

classic route

three days

Day1: Xihai Town – Hudong Breeding Farm – 151 Base – Jiangxigou – Heima River (140km)

Day 2: Heimahe – Shi Naihai – Bird Island – Quanji – Gangcha (125km)

Day3: Gangcha – Hargai – Ganzihe – Xihai Town (95km)

four days

Day1: Xihai Town – Hudong Breeding Farm – 151 Base (75km)

Day2: 151 base – Jiangxigou – Heima River (75km)

You can carpool to Chaka Salt Lake in the afternoon. Cycling is not recommended.

Day 3: Heimahe – Shi Naihai – Bird Island – Quanji – Gangcha (125km)

Day 4: Gangcha – Hargai – Ganzihe – Xihai Town (95km)

actual route

2018.7.31

Tired! Tired!

Route: Xihai Town – Hudong Sheep Farm (43km)

Departing from Xining Bus Station at 13:40, after the driver’s introduction, we went directly to Jinzhu Cycling Outdoor Club and arrived at the club at 15:40. After selecting the vehicle, signing the order, and loading the camel bag, set off at 16:11.

After riding for about five minutes, we arrived at the starting point of the bicycle tour around the lake.

According to the plan, I was going to ride 75 kilometers to the 151 base today. However, I overestimated myself. I started to out of breath after riding for ten minutes. Coupled with a few drops of rain, my mood was affected.

The road condition was not bad in the beginning, but once we entered the sand island, the continuous uphill climb made people doubt their life and become extremely desperate. Since 20km, I have been looking at my watch and my phone, but time is measured in seconds and mileage is measured in meters.

Finally, we crossed the desert, rode on the grassland road, and counted down the distance to our accommodation. Finally, arrived at Hudong Sheep Farm around 20:00.

After a simple meal, I was so tired that I lay down on the bed and went to sleep.

02

2018.8.1

So beautiful!

Route: Hudong Breeding Farm – 151 Base – Jiangxigou – Heima River – Shi Naihai (140km)

Departing from the sheep breeding farm at 7:30, we arrived at Jiangxigou around 12:00. The rapeseed flowers along the way are really beautiful. The intersection between the sky and water in Qinghai Lake is wider than the sea.

After a brief lunch in Jiangxigou, set off at 13:00. It was a smooth ride, nothing new. Nearly 10 kilometers away from the Heima River, the sky is covered with dark clouds and it may rain at any time. Speed up the pace and pedal hard to reach the Black Horse River as soon as possible. However, light rain came to pick up the last two or three kilometers. Quickly put on your poncho and helmet and continue moving forward.

Arrived at Heima River around 16:00 . Because I was caught in the rain, I wanted to find a place to stay. But the lowest price for a bed room was 120, and the standard room was 400-500. Poverty is a disease that no one can cure. I had to decide to go back after the rain stopped. Around 17:00 Continue forward, around 19:30 Arrive 30 km away Shi Naihai .

In the second half of the ride, I met the two older brothers from the first day again. During the break, I learned that one of them was the boss and they drove over from Fujian to ride. Two bottles of glucose injection + a business card, write it down.

03

2018.8.2

Rain riding!

Route: Shi Naihai – Bird Island – Quanji – Gangcha – Hargai (107km)

I originally planned to go out at seven o'clock, but it's raining! He went back to catch up on his sleep.

I got up at eight o'clock, the rain was still continuing, so I simply went to have breakfast. 4 carrot buns and a bowl of porridge cost 17 yuan, which made me feel bad for eating. At nine o'clock, seeing that the rain had no intention of stopping, I packed up and set off, riding carefully with my poncho on.

After passing Bird Island, I ran into the two eldest brothers again, and I was very happy. Arrive at Liangji at 12 o'clock, arrive at Gangcha at 3 o'clock , replenish your abilities, and set off again after resting for an hour. As soon as we got out of Gangcha, we encountered a steep uphill slope. We were only halfway up before we had no energy to get down and push the cart. The unexpected storm trapped me on a platform, feeling lonely and helpless. I was like a drowned rat, soaked to the skin and very cold.

While sheltering from the rain in the car, we have two choices: return to Gangcha and leave at 6 o'clock the next day; continue 25km to Hargai. The weather forecast said there would be rain the next morning, and the journey was very tight, so I might not be able to catch the train, so I continued on my way now.

Five o'clock, move on. The driving force that supports me moving forward is probably the accommodation 25 kilometers away. Cycling in the rain is very dangerous. When I was exhausted and the car was swaying forward, I was stopped by a convoy of people riding around the lake. I was given boiled water and snacks. There are so many good people.

At half past seven, covered by Hal .

04

2018.8.3

Desperate Slope!

Route: Hargai – Ganzihe – Xihai Town (59km)

We started at eight o'clock and rode with a big brother for the first half of the ride. It was a very pleasant ride along the way.

Despair Slope is about ten kilometers after crossing the Ganzi River, with a total length of three to five kilometers. Despair Slope, really desperate. Halfway through, I couldn't climb anymore. I got down to push the cart and moved forward with great difficulty. After the slope of despair, what follows is downhill, uphill, downhill, and uphill. It is really despair.

Finally, with 20 kilometers left, I was greeted by a big downhill, which was so exciting that I felt like I was about to fly.

12:40, Xihai Town, I'm back.

After three and a half days of riding, I gained a lot.

1. There are so many people to thank: thank you to the two buddies who stayed with me and invited me to dinner on the first day, thank you to the two big brothers who met for three days, thank you to the Taiwan Lake Tour Team for the warmth they gave me when I was helpless and desperate, and finally thank you My brother who accompanied me on a ride one day, I would like to thank all the fellow riders who cheered me on along the way, thank you.

2. Growth is inevitable: Accommodation cannot be cheap without taking safety seriously. On the first day, I stayed with two buddies, so I felt more or less safe and could sleep peacefully; But on the second night, I stayed alone in a triple room. The room could not be locked, and there were too many potential dangers. I was always vigilant and could not sleep deeply; on the third night, although the room was sealed, the place was too remote and I was unfamiliar with the place, so I still could not relax. The poor sleep you get for cheap will directly affect your riding the next day.

3. Traveling alone can be cool. There is no need to cater to anyone, just follow your heart, be more casual, and decide when to start and when to stop, depending on your mood.

4. No matter what your appetite is, you must eat enough. Only when you are full can you have strength, and only when you are full can you play better.

"

expenses

"

bill

stay

Breakfast + noon + dinner + water

other

40

(Single room for head of household)

0+0+106/3=35(none)+0

Car rental 260

Dry food 9, fare 25

70

(bed for three persons)

0+12+25+6

Yak Yogurt 5

80

(Double-bed room)

17+0+12+2

Watermelon 4.5

0

0+0+0+5

Fare 25

total

190+79+278.5=597.5

＊The accommodation is mainly affordable, and safety issues need to be considered.

When it comes to eating, eating enough is the most important thing.

THE END

Finally, the editor wants to say

Traveling alone is lonely

but looking back

All things can be solved by oneself

All itineraries are based on your own preferences

No need to cater to anyone

Courage and freedom are really rare and valuable

I wish you could have it all