China - The Nujiang ordeal

[VampyreMP]

Wow! An amazing country and amazing photos! Franki, you've got a great eye. Thanks for the photos and rr.

[franki]

Sorry guys, got to go to Yunnan again today. I shall continue my post after my return in 2 weeks time.

[franki]

I am back and the RR goes on....

We climbed from +1500m to the summit at +3500m and down to +1500m again. The road condition is very bad and JH600 is not designed to take on such bad roads, I dropped the bike 4 times at very slow speed. Though not hurt but picking up the bike at high altitude is no easy task. 2 times BT has to help me to pick up the bike as it would be too difficult for me to do it by myself. The bike has developed a problem while desending. The engine will stall on very bumping road. I checked the electrical connections but can't find and fault. The sun is setting and I don't want to be trapped on the mountain overnight, so I played with the clutch to bump start the engine while sliding downhill whenever I can. If the speed is too slow to make it, I used the starter button. Luckily, I managed to restart the engine everytime before all of the juice in the battery were drained out. By the time I reached Dulongjiang, it is already 7:30pm. Over 10 hours to cover 100km


This is the flatest spot going down to Dulongjiang, so BT managed to take a photo of me passing by. I couldn't stop as I fear if I stop, I will never be able to restart the engine on the flat ground.




The afternoon sun is beautiful but I was not in a relaxed mood to admire it.




We made the last rest stop 10km before entering the Dulongjiang village. The small road down by the river is the road leads to the village.



I am pretty proud to be able to make it so far on a heavy bike not designed for use on this kind of road.




As it is very close to Myanmar border, the village has a rather large government building with mobile phone repeater. This is the only communication link with the outside world. 3km outside the village, there is no mobile phone signal due to the deep river gorges.

[Kapp555]

Great RR Franki, I look forward to more.

[straylight*]

Amazing photos, keep them coming

[franki]

Rain forest vegetation at Dulongjiang




Talking to the village people, the only road that we came in is the only way out. When it rains, avalanche will block the road for sure. Since we only planned to stay for a short time, we don't want to be blocked in for a week. A decision was made quickly to return the next day morning.




This is the restaurant and our over night parking




I went for a morning walk before we head back out




Sleepy village dog




A civilised dog




A large gong made for the celebration




Biggest alarm clock I have ever seen

[franki]

Village kids treated me as if I am ET




My bike refused to start in the morning. This is little time to try to fix it because if I missed the morning rush, there will be no vehicles going through that road later in the day and I will be stuck in the mountains for at least one night. All I can do is to ask the truck driver to haul it back out to Gungshan.




The bumpy road damaged the truck's exhaust pipe. We had to stop to get it fixed.




We are the last truck out, so there will be no one to be blocked by us.




My poor JH600 is on its side as it will not stand on such bumpy road with 6 ropes tie down. Truck speed was only 10-15km/h.




This Tibetan girl is in the same truck. She buys big mushrooms from the mountain people for medicine use. When I say big mushroom, it is big. The largest one is about 50kgs and cost her $5000. She would not allow me to take pictures of it as she has it all wrapped up to smuggle them out of the check point in Gungshan.





The pennier case has become the cushion and protected my bike from getting more damaged in the truck.

[franki]

Back in Gungshan, the bike shop refused to service my bike as they said they don't know how to service a big bike. They will lend me all the tools they have and let me work on it myself. I found out there is a bad connection on one of the fuel injection system sensors, causing the ECU to cut out. Afetr a bit of carb clearner, a modified saw blade as a metal file, I cleaned up the contact area of the sensor plug and I am back in business again.


Next stop Binzonglor.


I am not amused by the Chinese authorities charging for everything. This is a provincial road that leads to a nice small town - Binzonglor and I have to pay RMB80 just to get there. There is no motorcycle toll charge allowed for provincial road. This, they call it park entrance fee, only for tourist. Local people no need to pay. I say this is highway robery.




The winding Nujiang





Road condition is very nice one this section




Road condition is very bad on the other side of the river





Well cultivated farm land





Yellow and green























Binzonglor is a nice place




Cathlic church and Tibetan shrine side by side.

[pookiebear]

awesome ride report. Thank you for the awesome photography.

[krautrock]

Great ride, beautiful country and absolutely stunning photos – thank you very much!

[twintwin]

Hi Franki,

When I scroll through your wonderful ride report, I get goose bumps
It remember me the good old time in HK, and the trip in western China, I miss you guys.
Enjoy your trip and say Hi for me to the HK rider community.
When are you coming to the North East US ?
Be safe.
Didier

[Eggroll]

Welcome back Franki,
I can see , why the KTM 640 adv would do better in these kind of roads.
Big thumber with very strong suspension.
This is Dualsport touring of China!!!!!!! Just Great!

Thank you for posting once again.

Luke

[franki]

Originally Posted by Kapp555

Great RR Franki, I look forward to more.

Thanks, more will come

[franki]

Originally Posted by straylight*

Amazing photos, keep them coming

There are a lot more to come

[franki]

Originally Posted by pookiebear

awesome ride report. Thank you for the awesome photography.

You made it easier for me to haul these heavy DSLRs around easier