I used to do lots of cycling, began 27 years ago when invited to do London to Brighton, that got me hooked and soon I was doing 100 mile rides. I used to travel across the country doing different challenge rides, also rode from the French Alps back to Southampton. In 2003 I completed the End to End (land's End to John O'Groats). Rich and OranjeBoom enjoy your cycling and stay safe on the road.
I've done LE JOG and cycled in the Swiss Alps as well. Really enjoy cycling - it's a great way of being out and about whilst experiencing lots of places in one trip.
That can be a problem too, but as I have not attempted to drive over here it doesn't really affect me.
We have reports of traffic jams so long that there are little firms evolving where two employees come along on a small motorcycle. One gets in the car to mind it through the traffic jam, whilst the car owner gets on the back of the bike to be whisked to work through the jam. I've always said that cars were a bad thing. Can you imagine what will happen to China if everyone can eventually afford a car and buys one..? Jeez, it could make the gridlock we occasionally have here look like toytown stuff. Mind you, all the bikers and cyclists, who choose to stay on two wheels, would be laughing behind their masks.
Here it is already a problem in some of the major cities. There is a lottery for buying a car, if you are one of the lucky winners you can then purchase a car. Still buying a car is way out of the budget of many. I know in some cities, taking your car into the city is dependent on the licence plate, even numbered on even days, odd on others. But like many things here if you pay enough or know people in the right places there are ways around everything.
I lived for three years near to Chongqing, this is one of the largest cities in China, it would take 2 hours to get from where I lived the the outskirts of the city then anything from one to three hours to get into the city centre. I have been in several jams on the motorways over here, the standard of driving is generally very poor.
I cycled the length of Wales (Caernarfon to Cardiff) in just over 2 days. No Alps or Pyrenees, and only 200 miles (no Land's End to John O'Groats), but PLENTY of nasty "ups" and a few scary "downs"
I am bored ......so whilst trawling through you tube I found Leroy Fer busting some moves at his wedding..... https://m.youtube.com/watch?pub_id=53f4f9a93d2b2a3a6ec43092&v=fhi0V82-vck As I said... Bored.
Kind of funny he has fallen off of the wagon on the day he signed for a Sunday league team called ABBEY! http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gazza-hospital-only-hours-after-7647555
The food here is very different to what is served as Chinese food back in the UK, not sure what Chongqing spicy chicken is. Chongqing is famous for its 'Hot Pot', this is a very hot boiling dish of spices that you put your food into and cook yourself at the table.
Well somebody had to do it. Well done Mr Sheen: [video=youtube_share;qat9gR5nrpM]http://youtu.be/qat9gR5nrpM[/video]
Oh yes, I know it's very different, but I'm lucky enough to have a very traditional Szechuan restaurant by me (and to be friends with the owner) - it confuses the hell out of the English clientele (of which there are only a few) as it really is true to the real Chinese food. Which is why I love it. The Hot Pot there is magnificent and a great favourite.
Although I am not based there now, most of my time in China has been in Sichuan. One of my favourites is Ganbay (not sure of the spelling) Chicken. I also like the nighttime street stalls that do a style of BBQ, great washed down with some local beer.
It'll probably be about whatever the new half-time entertainment is. I'm hoping for a fight to the death between Boruc and Forster for the no.1 goalkeeper spot!
