The Best and Worst Awards

Riding Around The World - The Best & Worst Awards

Chapter 31 – Vietnam and Cambodia

So what do two adventure bikers do for their Christmas holidays? Of course, go on another motorcycle adventure, this time to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Chapter 30 – Thailand

After our marathon big bike trip Fanny and I did a few "mini" motorcycling adventures in the Mekong Valley and around the Indo-China region. First, Thailand, a superb country to motorcycle around and very much geared up for both the adventurous or idling tourist. First, I managed to escape from Hong Kong and catch a cheap … Continue reading Chapter 30 – Thailand

Chapter 26 – 中国 Part 8 – Hubei, Anhui and onwards to Shanghai

The point at which we actually crossed from Chongqing into Hubei province was high up in the beautiful misty mountains of Huangshui (Yellow Water) National Park. We had thought of staying there for the night, but it was late autumn, getting quite cold and the locals told us that all the bingguan and hotel owners had … Continue reading Chapter 26 – 中国 Part 8 – Hubei, Anhui and onwards to Shanghai

Chapter 25 – 中国 Part 7 – Chongqing

Having been unceremoniously thrown off the Chengdu-Chongqing highway by the local rozzers we were faced with at least a days ride to Chongqing along indirect and badly maintained triple digit "G" and "S" roads (i.e. the really really bad ones). Unfortunately, my  GPS had completely given up trying to calculate where we were, let alone … Continue reading Chapter 25 – 中国 Part 7 – Chongqing

Chapter 24 – 中国 Part 6 – Sichuan

As hard as one tries, it would be impossible to ride around the world on a motorcycle and completely avoid any bad weather. We had heavy rain in the Basque Country and its border with France, and later in England and Wales where it pretty much rained throughout the whole of the summer.  In China … Continue reading Chapter 24 – 中国 Part 6 – Sichuan

Chapter 23 – China Part 5 – Gansu Province

Fanny had done an excellent job setting an interesting route along the quiet "S" roads of south east Qinghai into Gansu, and so we had a chance to relax, enjoy the scenery and take a break from worrying about being wiped out by black Audi A4s and tourist coaches.  However, we were in China and … Continue reading Chapter 23 – China Part 5 – Gansu Province

Chapter 22 – 中国 Part 4 – Qinghai

I have often studied maps of the world and been fascinated by Earth's equivalent of Jupiter's Red Spot... The Chinese province of Qinghai (青海. It always looked like one of the most remote parts of the planet and was definitely on my "bucket list" of places to see and ride a motorcycle. We had been … Continue reading Chapter 22 – 中国 Part 4 – Qinghai

Chapter 21 – 西藏 Tibet

When we rode through Tibet (西藏) in September 2012, the People’s Republic of China was restricting access to Chinese citizens only. The only exception being that a “Tibet Travel Permit” might be granted to a foreign tour group, provided they all come from the same country, that their itinerary is organized and strictly supervised by an … Continue reading Chapter 21 – 西藏 Tibet

Chapter 20 – 中国 Part 3

Chapter 19 – 中国 Part 2

Sometimes I feel like a dog in China, and this was particularly so during our motorcycle expedition across the "middle kingdom". I got fed once a day; complete strangers would come up to me and stroke the hairs on my arms; I had to pee against trees and lampposts; certain hotels and public places wouldn't let … Continue reading Chapter 19 – 中国 Part 2

Chapter 18 – 中国 Part 1

The planning for the China leg of our expedition was solely in the hands of Fanny (方怡. I had agreed that if she managed to arrange motorcycles and sponsorship to support us then I would fly out and be her wing-man and basically do as I'm told. A tall order granted.  I still had a … Continue reading Chapter 18 – 中国 Part 1

Chapter 17 – The UK – its alright for ducks

The UK produces the best soldiers in the world; is a leader in innovation, creativity, art and design; has a unique sense of self effacing humour, and most importantly it produces Marstons Pedigree bitter and Marmite (both from Burton Upon Trent I might add).

Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.

So... did we do Turkey for Christmas?  Alas No. Syria and Libya were descending into civil war and chaos, all the ferries from Egypt had been cancelled, and Fanny was not allowed to ride or drive a vehicle in Saudi Arabia (not for being Chinese, but because she's a woman!).  Also, the prospects of motorcycling in Europe during the freezing … Continue reading Chapter 15 – He’s not the Messiah – he’s a very naughty boy.