
Cycle Touring the Tibetan Plateau
1 year ago
Many people don't understand why some choose to travel on a bicycle. I was one of them... then I tried it. Now I don't want to do it any other way.
This video is an attempt at providing a glimpse into the challenging, exciting, and incredibly rewarding world of cycle touring.
The clips are from a Summer 2007 trip, about 4500kms from Kashgar, Xinjiang, to Dali, Yunnan (in China) crossing Tibet along the way.
This video is an attempt at providing a glimpse into the challenging, exciting, and incredibly rewarding world of cycle touring.
The clips are from a Summer 2007 trip, about 4500kms from Kashgar, Xinjiang, to Dali, Yunnan (in China) crossing Tibet along the way.
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What you use, is the same I use....
'Bicycles are like drugs
and we're peddeling them ' :>
1) Refused - Tannhäuser / Derivè
2) The Music - Walls Get Smaller (Fierce Panda Version)
Not sure yet.. Argentina, Iceland, something like that!
Riding a touring bike (with the larger wheels) outside of Europe is not a good idea. Spare parts will have to be shipped from home to wherever you are. My friend wrecked his 26" rear wheel in the middle of Tibet and was able to get a replacement within a day (not a good one, but it worked).
On the other hand, we met someone who was on a touring bike and two times in two years had to wait WEEKS to get a replacement 700c wheel sorted and mailed to him from home.
If you're heading out in the middle of nowhere, especially on rough roads, my suggestion is a Reynolds 851 steel MTB frame. Can be emergency welded, nice and flexy, and is sure to be able to take the extra weight and constant torture of the bumpy roads.
I still don't think it would have worked for me though because I was running (cable) disc brakes.
That's the route I'm taking on my next trip.
And always go with steel.
Steel is Real.
I broke my frame on my last trip and thanked god it was steel, as it was welded that day.
Great video.
Excelent job!
Greetings ;)
This epiphany first came to me when watching "The Follow" episode of BMW Films from a few years back. There is an action driving segment where rather than the stereotypical screeching tires and high-paced music, all is silent except for a nice classical music piece. It turned the chase into something subdued and beautiful, which I never thought possible.
Great video.
I might opt out for a scooter for this trip.
Do you think it could make it?
There are some shots where you appear pretty distant from the camera.
How long does it normally take to shoot those type of clips?
Your tips are much appreciated. Thank you!
-kyo-
I rode part of this trip with a friend, and the rest solo. Most of the static riding shots are from a tripod, so I would ride off for a few minutes at most (not too far that I couldn't quickly ride back if a car came by, to make sure the camera wasn't stolen!). Any shots that are handheld or have zooms or pans is one of us filming the other.
The sparks are actually just me fooling around-- I was rubbing the metal pedal cleat on the ground while cornering :-)
Thank you for sharing these tips.
The footage is inspiring and the landscape amazing.
Well done!
-kyo-
TB
I went to Tibet in 2007 as well but for hiking. Your video reminded me of the places I had seen, really inspiring.
Tell me, in the last scene what's causing the sparks on you bike?
How do you beat that though?
You've made me want to scrub up my bike and get cycling again, although I think I'll stick to the Ramblas until I get a bit more confident!
Bike touring is definitely captured well here!
It's always nice to meet a fellow cyclotrekker.
You describe exactly (worths and movie) the place where my hart is : cycling the world on a bicyle!
Thanks!
Want to see some off the stuff I made (not as good) or the rides I rode?
my weblog with movies on Youtube is Cycling the world on a bicycle >>
sammoresam.spaces.live.com/
we never get to reach those speeds in Chicago - flat as a pancake.
well done
I'm about to buy a real film camera too. Any suggestions?
I unfortunately lost my film camera during this trip... I'm just about to replace it with a Nikon F100. I'm very excited about it!!! Look into it, it is a fantastic camera, and of course there is a HUGE selection of used gear and lenses for it
vimeo.com/channels/36364
In a world of environmental change where are we at?