yunnan-beijing china dream ride 2017
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ADVENTURE CHALLENGE & OUTREACH
106 days, 5,800km, spreading our message of integration and adaptive sports. After two successful trips in 2015 and 2016, KTC took on its biggest challenge ever, traversing the heart of China for 106 days, covering 5,800 kilometers and visiting 12 cities before finishing in Beijing, engaging China's disabled community, cyclists and lovers of the road. Wang Feng, a native of Shandong Province, and Josh Dominick, an American with 15 years experience in China, lead the KTC team to increase awareness of spinal cord injuries and other disabilities, promote accessibility for all and encourage people with disabilities to get out and active. |
Stats:
Duration: 106 days Distance: 5,800 km (3,600 mi) Start/End: Xishuangbanna - Beijing Dates: April 11 - July 25, 2017 |
Our route
Leg 1 (April 11-23) Jinghong-Shilin
14 days | 795km | 61km/day
In Jinghong we kicked of things with a bang - appearing at the Dai Show, and ethnic gala showcasing the cultural wealth of Xishuangbanna and the Dai ethnic group. The following day, we were seen off by a local cycling club that rode 20km with us and took our team out to lunch.
The following days took us through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world - winding mountain roads, mirror-like terraced rice fields and the karst formations of the Stone Forest. We were even lucky enough to meet with a master of traditional story-singing, which encapsulates the centuries of culture of the Hani people, who have no written language.
This section truly showcased the beauty and diversity of Yunnan, one of China's most amazing provinces.
14 days | 795km | 61km/day
In Jinghong we kicked of things with a bang - appearing at the Dai Show, and ethnic gala showcasing the cultural wealth of Xishuangbanna and the Dai ethnic group. The following day, we were seen off by a local cycling club that rode 20km with us and took our team out to lunch.
The following days took us through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world - winding mountain roads, mirror-like terraced rice fields and the karst formations of the Stone Forest. We were even lucky enough to meet with a master of traditional story-singing, which encapsulates the centuries of culture of the Hani people, who have no written language.
This section truly showcased the beauty and diversity of Yunnan, one of China's most amazing provinces.
Leg 2 (April 25-May 8) Shilin-Guiyang
15 days | 575km | 64km/day
Leaving Shilin, we prepared to cross the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, one of the longest and most challenging terrains that we would face on this trip. Not so much steep as long, we labored through 10-15km uphills, but then also enjoyed 10km downhills as well, so we took the up with the down. Crossing the border between Guizhou and Yunnan was special with a marker that dated from before the PRC was founded in 1949. We also crossed China's version of the "Grand Canyon" - Huajiang Gorge, which has a vertical climb of almost 1,000 meters.
We visited China's second biggest waterfall - Huangguoshu - which like many sights in China is not very accessible, but by working together we made it happen. The only hiccup was a flat tire on the way back and Josh had to piggyback Pan back up to the top of the gorge.
We passed through more and more of Guizhou's ethnic minority (non-Han) communities, enjoying their architecture and food. We also stopped off at the Dragon River Caves - a network of river caverns. The views were amazing, but again not very accessible. More work to be done in this area!
A chance meeting with some relatives of KTC co-founder Wang Feng in Anshun was a nice break and then we were in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, meeting up with quite a few members of the local disabled community and holding an awareness event for proper bowel care by our partner Coloplast, who provided us with catheters and other products to ensure our trip was safe, smooth and healthy.
15 days | 575km | 64km/day
Leaving Shilin, we prepared to cross the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, one of the longest and most challenging terrains that we would face on this trip. Not so much steep as long, we labored through 10-15km uphills, but then also enjoyed 10km downhills as well, so we took the up with the down. Crossing the border between Guizhou and Yunnan was special with a marker that dated from before the PRC was founded in 1949. We also crossed China's version of the "Grand Canyon" - Huajiang Gorge, which has a vertical climb of almost 1,000 meters.
We visited China's second biggest waterfall - Huangguoshu - which like many sights in China is not very accessible, but by working together we made it happen. The only hiccup was a flat tire on the way back and Josh had to piggyback Pan back up to the top of the gorge.
We passed through more and more of Guizhou's ethnic minority (non-Han) communities, enjoying their architecture and food. We also stopped off at the Dragon River Caves - a network of river caverns. The views were amazing, but again not very accessible. More work to be done in this area!
A chance meeting with some relatives of KTC co-founder Wang Feng in Anshun was a nice break and then we were in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, meeting up with quite a few members of the local disabled community and holding an awareness event for proper bowel care by our partner Coloplast, who provided us with catheters and other products to ensure our trip was safe, smooth and healthy.
Leg 3 (May 5-16) Guiyang-Wugang
12 days | 686km | 62km/day
Leaving Guiyang, we continued through the southeastern region of Guizhou province, passing along the Rong River through beautiful countryside filled with rich ethnic communities. Our next destination was the village of Zenleng to meet up with a friend who visited us in Guiyang. Xingxing lives in a small village in the mountains that our team actually visited in 2013 when we made our first trip - the village made a lot of improvements since our last visit and Xingxing was also doing much better. We passed through the country of the Dong ethnic minority with their ornate wooden bridges and pavilions. We continued by ancient bridges, pagodas and countless rice paddies.
Arriving in Hubei province, we met with another member of the disable community who told us about a person in need that he would like to introduce us to - Long Aiguo. Long lives in a small village near Dongkou in a single room house with his 70 year old mother. During our conversation he said that he regularly has fevers due to infections, which were due to the exposed steel plates in his back and pressure injuries. These types of injuries can cause serious illness and even death. Following the completion of our trip, we coordinated with assistance foundations and local volunteer organizations to get him the treatment and assistance he needs. He is now doing much better.
Leaving Long Aiguo, we continued east toward Changsha and other cities to meet with more people, share handcycling and our message.
12 days | 686km | 62km/day
Leaving Guiyang, we continued through the southeastern region of Guizhou province, passing along the Rong River through beautiful countryside filled with rich ethnic communities. Our next destination was the village of Zenleng to meet up with a friend who visited us in Guiyang. Xingxing lives in a small village in the mountains that our team actually visited in 2013 when we made our first trip - the village made a lot of improvements since our last visit and Xingxing was also doing much better. We passed through the country of the Dong ethnic minority with their ornate wooden bridges and pavilions. We continued by ancient bridges, pagodas and countless rice paddies.
Arriving in Hubei province, we met with another member of the disable community who told us about a person in need that he would like to introduce us to - Long Aiguo. Long lives in a small village near Dongkou in a single room house with his 70 year old mother. During our conversation he said that he regularly has fevers due to infections, which were due to the exposed steel plates in his back and pressure injuries. These types of injuries can cause serious illness and even death. Following the completion of our trip, we coordinated with assistance foundations and local volunteer organizations to get him the treatment and assistance he needs. He is now doing much better.
Leaving Long Aiguo, we continued east toward Changsha and other cities to meet with more people, share handcycling and our message.
BreakLeg 4 (May 18-June 10) Wugang-Huangshan
20 days | 1,226km | 70km/day
Leaving Wugang and meeting up with a few friends in the city of Loudi, we continued on through some of China's most beautiful countryside - grey brick homes with swooping eaves, bamboo forests, conical hats and different food.
Our next big city was Changsha, a major center with a very tight-knit disabled community. We met up with the first group at the Xiangtan Hospital in the center of Changsha where we were treated to a warm welcome, let everyone try out the handcycles and even had an interview with the local media. We also visited the local Hope House, learning about their activities and then on our last day, we passed by another hospital for a short visit.
Breakfast changed from rice noodles to a steamed soup in a special earthenware container, unique to Hunan and Anhui. Our next city wasn't far - the city of Nanchang - famous for its Pavillion of the King Teng, memorialized in poetry and providing amazing views of the city.
Moving on, we passed by Mount Lu, famous for its cool temperatures and visit by Chairman Mao. After crossing the Yang-tze River, we entered China proper, the heartland of one of the world's most ancient civilizations. The countryside became even more enchanting and we passed by centuries old villages, temples and bridges - filming on one called Nine Dragon Bridge - and soon after crossed from Hunan into Jiangxi Province.
A couple days later, we arrived at the base of the Yellow Mountain, home to another member of the disabled community that has be doing something amazing for the last 20 years. Cheng Jian, a local tour operator, was injured in an accident and one year had the idea to go hiking again. The next year, he and his friends hosted a small group of wheelchair users to climb to the top of the Yellow Mountain and made it an annual event. Every year, he and his team take around 50 wheelchair users to the top of the Yellow Mountain and other local scenic spots, giving them a chance (some for the first time) to get out into the world, see nature and discover their potential.
20 days | 1,226km | 70km/day
Leaving Wugang and meeting up with a few friends in the city of Loudi, we continued on through some of China's most beautiful countryside - grey brick homes with swooping eaves, bamboo forests, conical hats and different food.
Our next big city was Changsha, a major center with a very tight-knit disabled community. We met up with the first group at the Xiangtan Hospital in the center of Changsha where we were treated to a warm welcome, let everyone try out the handcycles and even had an interview with the local media. We also visited the local Hope House, learning about their activities and then on our last day, we passed by another hospital for a short visit.
Breakfast changed from rice noodles to a steamed soup in a special earthenware container, unique to Hunan and Anhui. Our next city wasn't far - the city of Nanchang - famous for its Pavillion of the King Teng, memorialized in poetry and providing amazing views of the city.
Moving on, we passed by Mount Lu, famous for its cool temperatures and visit by Chairman Mao. After crossing the Yang-tze River, we entered China proper, the heartland of one of the world's most ancient civilizations. The countryside became even more enchanting and we passed by centuries old villages, temples and bridges - filming on one called Nine Dragon Bridge - and soon after crossed from Hunan into Jiangxi Province.
A couple days later, we arrived at the base of the Yellow Mountain, home to another member of the disabled community that has be doing something amazing for the last 20 years. Cheng Jian, a local tour operator, was injured in an accident and one year had the idea to go hiking again. The next year, he and his friends hosted a small group of wheelchair users to climb to the top of the Yellow Mountain and made it an annual event. Every year, he and his team take around 50 wheelchair users to the top of the Yellow Mountain and other local scenic spots, giving them a chance (some for the first time) to get out into the world, see nature and discover their potential.
Leg 5 (June 12-15) Huangshan-Hangzhou
4 days | 262km | 65km/day
A short hop from Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) to the fabled city of Hangzhou - a saying in China describes the beauty of Hangzhou and Suzhou as comparable to heaven. We passed by more beautiful countryside including a Ming Dynasty bridge - the Bridge of Long-lasting Peace - that was nearly 500 years old. Arriving in Hangzhou, we passed along its tree lined streets and famous West Lake, which is beautiful when lit up at night.
Our second day in Hangzhou, we met up with members of the local disabled community and enjoyed some good conversation and a good meal. Our stay here was short, but sweet and there is much to do in the future.
4 days | 262km | 65km/day
A short hop from Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) to the fabled city of Hangzhou - a saying in China describes the beauty of Hangzhou and Suzhou as comparable to heaven. We passed by more beautiful countryside including a Ming Dynasty bridge - the Bridge of Long-lasting Peace - that was nearly 500 years old. Arriving in Hangzhou, we passed along its tree lined streets and famous West Lake, which is beautiful when lit up at night.
Our second day in Hangzhou, we met up with members of the local disabled community and enjoyed some good conversation and a good meal. Our stay here was short, but sweet and there is much to do in the future.
Leg 6 (June 17-21) Hangzhou-Nanjing
5 days | 331km | 66km/day
Stories and pictures coming soon!!
5 days | 331km | 66km/day
Stories and pictures coming soon!!
Leg 7 (June 23-July 1) Nanjing-Jinan
9 days | 659km | 73km/day
Stories and pictures coming soon!!
9 days | 659km | 73km/day
Stories and pictures coming soon!!
Leg 8 (July 3-8) Jinan-Beijing
6 days | 449km | 74km/day
Stories and pictures coming soon!!
6 days | 449km | 74km/day
Stories and pictures coming soon!!
