Kellen Smetana
I gave a fly a ride today. He landed on the middle of my handlebar map reader and looked at me for about twenty seconds. I just nodded to let him know I wouldn’t shoo him away. He seemed to get the point as he immediately turned to face forward and stuck around for about two kilometers before darting off to his continue his busy life. I was happy I could help him out and give him a little taste of bicycle touring. It made me think of how much fun it would be to give everyone back home a ride if only for a brief segment to experience some of what we see, hear, and smell (even in a sidecar Matt). It also reminded me of how even little events or aspects of each day can stick with you and add to your memory of a particular place.
Some of those favorite memories from the last week are fields of rapeseed. By the name alone, these fields sound like they may burn a hole in the retina. Fortunately, the ugly name is not reflected visually in the slightest bit. In fact, rapeseed is a beautiful yellow flower and it is grown on every inch of flat land in northern Guizhou province.
I gave a fly a ride today. He landed on the middle of my handlebar map reader and looked at me for about twenty seconds. I just nodded to let him know I wouldn’t shoo him away. He seemed to get the point as he immediately turned to face forward and stuck around for about two kilometers before darting off to his continue his busy life. I was happy I could help him out and give him a little taste of bicycle touring. It made me think of how much fun it would be to give everyone back home a ride if only for a brief segment to experience some of what we see, hear, and smell (even in a sidecar Matt). It also reminded me of how even little events or aspects of each day can stick with you and add to your memory of a particular place.
Some of those favorite memories from the last week are fields of rapeseed. By the name alone, these fields sound like they may burn a hole in the retina. Fortunately, the ugly name is not reflected visually in the slightest bit. In fact, rapeseed is a beautiful yellow flower and it is grown on every inch of flat land in northern Guizhou province.
Fields of gold
We rode through three consecutive days nothing but yellow fields and hillsides like we were journeying to Oz. It was akin to the endless sunflower fields you may see driving through Kansas, only here made more stunning by the fact that the hilly landscape forces terracing to the horizon.
The road to Oz
Keeping color theme with the landscape, countless yellow gourd (possibly yam) vendors and dozens and dozens of bee hives also lined the side of the road.
No thanks, don't need any more weight on the bike
The only issue with the bees is that as you pass by a set of hives (especially on a downhill), it feels a bit like riding head on into a hailstorm. We just closed our mouths, clenched our eyes, and hoped for the best. Ben made it through the days unscathed, but on one such passing I had to Frisbee my helmet because I had a couple stuck in my hair. They later stung me as I tried to work them out; apparently, they were not as amicable as the fly today – ouch!
Quick! Close your mouth!
What makes this even more amazing is that at the end of one of the days we climbed a long pass and poof – it was all gone. The next morning replaced by 40 kilometers of downhill through a deep limestone gorge all the way to Sichuan. And, all of this put a smile on our face as the roads were MUCH better quality (mostly paved). No more Cee Lo.
Into Sichuan
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