So clearly biking has never been my forte. It took years of public shaming to get me to do it. Who know how many countless hours were spent on teaching me a skill I was so quick to cast aside. Arriving in Xi'an yesterday after a 6 hour train ride I had to be up at 4:30am to catch, the group and I were pretty dead. Luckily Xi'an felt the same way as the whole area around the train station was made up of at least 30 building that were deserted. They had been created simply as a public works project. The thick smog and coal burning plants did not add to the allure.
After checking into the hotel here our first stop was to check out the city wall. It is hard to determine what is true and what is propaganda from our tour guide. He said the city wall was the longest and most fully restored historical fortification in the world. I was skeptical, as is my nature.
Saying it was 14km casually as we began to walk around it, seriously we did not want to walk that, we came upon a bike service. For 200 yuan as a deposit and 45 yuan you could rent a bike to go around. Knowing the group would take this decision I asked if anyone wanted to go on the two seater bike. My hope was someone more skilled would join me and I could hide my shameful lack of balance and co-ordination. Alyssa, one of the girls on the trip, decided to join me. As we set out with me in the front she told me she was not the best on bikes and had not ridden one in about 4 years. I cannot remember the last time i was on a bike. so between the two of us we had not ridden a bike in about 10 years.
I know I know, I should have been upfront about it. But here we are, two people biking on this historical fortification in a new city that has less then stellar brickwork to bike on. After some intial struggles with steering we got off well. We were lucky that it was late in the day and starting to rain meaning there was hardly anyone on the wall. The few times we did come upon people, I was quick to yell to get the F out of the way. They obliged, probably a little scared, but not nearly as scared as they should be.
It took us about 45 min-1 hour to get around the city. Between going up and down ramps, being passed by golf carts on steriods, quick turns and dealing with a constant rain we arrived safe and sound, both on a high of not hurting ourselves, anyone else or the bike. We clearly had the most fun of the group on this adventure and I chalk it up as a highlight of the trip.
Have done lots of great things but this stood out as worthy of mentioning.
Also of note-
I am a celebrity because of my height and get stopped at least 3 times a day for photos
I can eat confidently with chop sticks
Saw the Terra-Cotta Warriors, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City, a Kung-Fu Show, took a bullet train.
I am continuing to work on my album of me in large asian tour groups.
Have to run as we are going to a Tang Dynasty Show that features all you can eat dumplings. I am gonna do some damage there.
Tomorrow I take of for Dalian where I will be stationed for 3 weeks so should be able to get a more detailed blog down.
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