Rhino Cam #14 – China (Gansu & Shaanxi)
To start with Gansu province was very similar to Xinjiang – a hot, windy desert. Then we hit Jiayuguan, a huge fort marking the end of the Great Wall of China and for us the gateway into the imperial east of China from the wild west we had been in for so long. We tracked the remnants of the Great Wall along the Hexi corridor to Lanzhou on the mighty Yellow River. The transition in landscape was astonishing going from empty desert to endless valleys of terraces bulging at the seams with crops. Much of the harvesting is still done by hand out here and seeing the bushels being gathered up and the oxen out ploughing the fields was a real throw back in time.
After 10 hard days of riding in which we barely had a wash and slept in all kinds of weird and wonderful places, we made it back into civilization and the urban sprawl of eastern China. It was the first time in what felt like months that food and water suddenly became readily available and we could actually afford to sleep in a bed. It really does feel like we’ve made it through the toughest riding of the trip now.
This video wouldn’t be true to form though without some kind of incident. Still nursing a hangover from cartwheeling down the mountain in Kyrgyzstan my bike frame decided to snap in half. I’ll let you watch the video to find out how we overcame that slightly traumatic experience…
Johan
Thanks so much for plug and recognition as a Welding GURU.
I will make a suitable donation in anticipation of the flood of work that will come my way based on your recommendation.
Now for the very very serious stuff. Please consider this as my BOSS card placed on you.
1) Kyrgzstan crash created a stress raiser in the tube.
2) Riding on this for 20 or 30 days over rough ground equals localised fatigue stresses which started the crack and allowed it to grow.
3) The crack in the frame did not appear overnight it has been growing for a number of days/weeks. The dent area and rest of frame should have been subject to a regular (weekly) close inspection.
4) When the crack was so large as to affect the bike stabilty it could be considered as near total frame failure. The consequence of this with the truck traffic seen fills me with dread.
5) The weld repair carried out can only be considered as temporary. The dent is still there and hence you still have a stress raiser added to which the weld will be less than perfect. Such that recracking in this location is to be expected.
6) Therefore I have to strongly recommend frame replacement as soon as possible; maybe when you swing through Korea.
7) Until then please examine the area after each days riding.
In closing please provide address where weld repair was carried out as I will also issue them with a BOSS card for incorrect welding eye protection.
Even original Oakleys or Raybans and not the local copies can not prevent ARC EYE.
Very best wishes to you both, but please stay safe,
Regards
David
Is that the famous Gyda Platform Welding Guru? Pleased to hear you’re on the case, Dave. Perhaps you can rustle up some procurement and paintwork expertise for the new frame as well?
Martin Josten (martin@josten.org.uk)
Pretty awesome video footage boys and I feel for those bikes of yours which have obviously taken a good old battering having been on the road for months. Fingers crossed the weld will hold out, but at least Johan’s Mechanics of Materials lectures with Dr Argawal will help you understand whats going on;-)
As for the beards, they look great and would love to see them retained when you return to UK please.
Keep racking up those kms and building the thigh muscles!
x
A 10GW wind farm…stop teasing me Will! Still here watching your progress guys – amazing videos and so glad you didn’t give up and return home Will…besides, the weather’s rubbish and there’s nothing on telly so I wouldn’t rush back anyway.
Seriously though, fingers crossed for the dodgy bike repairs, endless tunnels, mad truck drivers and everything else you’ll encounter.
Keep up the excellent work.
Paul
Incredible effort lads, and awesome footage. I’m jealous! Keep it up. Tom