Gray and chilly, last ride around Tashkent

Islamabad Mosque and Victory Park

Monday to the bank and Korzinka

In search of Gagarin

Xmas morning to Turkish breakfast

My itinerary showed a 76km ride to Shantou so it was a bit of a surprise this morning to key in my destination and find it much shorter.  I'm not sure how this happened, but better shorter than longer.  The day started out overcast, which was just fine as the air was cool and there was neither rain nor beating sun.  

Today I rode into a large urban area and was delighted to find a Starbucks.  I haven't had coffee since leaving home. The hotel is quite nice and I guess it's a slow period as I received an upgrade to a room on the Executive Floor. 

It's not been all easy riding, though.  While the road in was largely level and most of the pavement smooth, the traffic was awful, especially cars, trucks, motorbikes -- just about everything -- driving on the opposite shoulder, meaning straight at me.  Presumably, enforcement of traffic laws is not a high priority for the local police.  

I lost a spoke off the rear wheel, which makes it run off true.  This is not good and requires immediate attention.  I asked the concierge if he could help and he pointed me to what was supposed to be a bike repair garage.  The young guy who looked inconvenienced to get out of his chair to field my inquiry  looked at the bike and said "no." A kindly woman in the neighboring shop directed me to a place a few blocks over.  The woman there seemed polite but couldn't help.  She sent me to another shop that obviously handles only motorbikes and scooters. Along the way, I passed a bicycle shop.  The woman there looked at wheel, felt the spokes, and said something in Chinese that obviously meant no help was forthcoming.  I asked if she could text her reply so I could translate it, but she just walked away.  

Obviously a new strategy is required. I went back to the hotel for a shower and a fruit break and started looking up bicycle retailers in the city. There are several within a 2-3km radius of the hotel, so instead of sightseeing, I'll be out tomorrow morning trying to get my wheel repaired.  

Deportes principales

Jeffrey Martin

Day 6: Raoping to Shantou

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Gray and chilly, last ride around Tashkent

Islamabad Mosque and Victory Park

Monday to the bank and Korzinka

In search of Gagarin

Xmas morning to Turkish breakfast

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