Two perspectives of MTB (mountain biking). The first is using a mountain bike as a Touring Bicycle and riding across western China (Xinjiang/Uyghur Autonomous Region), the Himalayas, the Taklamakan Desert, Borohoro ranges of the Tian Shan, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces all in less than 60 days.
Northern Himalayas of Xinjiang/Uyghur Autonomous Region, China
Rivers running directly out of the snow water melted Himalayas, mighty old mountains, a place of beauty and majesty is up there while riding on a bicycle of any kind. A place to experience and to enjoy!
Solo 60 day Mountain bicycle touring adventure
Meeting a Sino-Tibetan family with their yak herd and cabin, hammering down rough roads in Sichuan, climbing over the landslides in Jolong, climbing peaks, riding through valleys, and meeting smiling people throughout the journey are all highlights of expedition travel.
These are raw photos and a video of the expedition. Enjoy! [Music: Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson]
I supported IDEAS foundation
Intestinal Disease Education & Awareness Society
http://nogutsknowglory.com
And a second non-profit, ETE
Education Through Expeditions, UK
http://www.etelive.org
Find out more, check those links. Thank you & hope you enjoyed the video.
Brian Perich
Cheers!
The second perspective is traditional mountain bicycle riding as pictured here in Gangwon-do, Daegwallyeong, Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea in winter. Bicycle touring requires a heavier frame, a hardtail or motionless rigid bicycle frame. Mountain biking, Cross-county (XC) or downhill (DH) in this case requires a lighter, stronger, dual-suspension bicycle equipped with shock absorbing attachments at either the front fork or integrated into the bicycle frame itself. Cross-country (XC) mountain bikes use Carbon, Aluminum, Titanium, Scandium, or Steel frames. Most have hydraulic or cable disk brakes, calipers, and steel rotors attached directly to the wheel hubs ranging in size from 160-203mm. Some mountain bicycles are equipped with 185mm front rotors and 160mm rear rotors for sufficient braking power. While 203mm rotors are reserved for Downhill bicycles that tend to be heavier, with longest travel suspensions, equipped with the strongest wheel sets, often with solid axles.
An Dae Gi - local sponsor of the HimalayasX2011 expedition, Gangneung Bike Mart owner and operator invited me (and my 1994 Kona Explosif, built and maintained by An Dae Gi) on an 1100 meter downhill session finishing with some Cross-Country (XC) riding at the end of the day. I am wearing a Joe Jocket Ballistic jacket, make for motorcycle touring, with Kevlar foam inserts for protection, great in all recreational sports and insulated for winter use as well. I wear Pearl iZumi Overmits for warm fingers and a pair of cycling gloves for comfort/grip underneath in winter conditions.
The Daegwallyeong, Pyeongchang-gun MTB experience is worth the trip from Seoul or other areas of Korea. Cycling is a way of life, a way of freedom and personal expression and a way to connect with your community or the environment all around you. Enjoy the rides!
