I do not know what the weather is like back home in Beachburg, Canada, but the weather here in Northern China has been very sunny and unusually warm, especially for this time of year. After the heat of the many deserts we have traveled through in the months past, I can honestly say that I can’t wait for the icy, snowy, cold Canadian winter.

The topography has leveled out considerably over the last three days but the traffic and smog has picked up. The other day the riders arrived into Luoyang with pitch black faces from all of the coal dust. Along with the smog and dust comes the noise pollution from the billions of cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles that fill all the empty spaces of the roads, bike paths, paved and dirt shoulders and everywhere else in between. Here in China there seems to be only one traffic law and one law only. It is not to obey the speed limit or traffic signs, it is not to watch where you are going or to pay any attention to anyone or anything around you or to ever stay between the lines. The only rule is, when in doubt HONK YOUR HORN and honk it long, loud and repeatedly!! If we can’t have the challenges of the terrain, we might as well have the challenges of the vehicles!!!

A few nights back, the staff organized an after dinner bowling tournament to mix up the evening and to get everyone’s competitive juices flowing. The grand prize… bragging rights and a round of beers compliments of TDA and for the losers… a round of beers compliments of TDA.The teams were as follows “The Dutch Connection” the “East meets West” the “Double Doubles” (as in Tim Horton’s double double coffee) the “Chinese Uighur All Stars” and the “Russian Attack” First Place was taken by the Dutch Connection, second place by pure luck the East meets West (no thanks to gutter ball Drouin) and in third the Double Doubles!! We also found out that night that Knut is the next Norwegian Olympic ping pong hopeful.

Time is flying by to fast now. Tomorrow we will be in Anyang for our last rest day and then five more days on the road to the finish line.

Every day spent on a bike is a perfect day. Lets enjoy the last final miles!!