First Encounter
My initial exposure to the idea of cycling the Sichuan-Tibet line was at the end of 2018.
At that time, my job was too leisurely, and I have always enjoyed mountain climbing and running.
So, in my free time, I would often open my computer to search for travelogues about outdoor adventures, to see another side of the world.
It was then that I came across several travelogues and guides about the Sichuan-Tibet line.
I thought those people were amazing, cycling over 2000 kilometers and crossing more than a dozen mountains with altitudes of 4000 or 5000 meters. If it were me, I definitely couldn’t handle it.
At that time, the places I had been to were mostly flatlands like Henan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Beijing.
The highest altitude I had been to was Mount Hua, which I climbed at night in March 2018.
But compared to the altitude of over 4000 meters on the Sichuan-Tibet line, it’s incomparable.
Thoughts
In mid-2019, one weekend, I was walking with two good friends in Dongpingshan Park in Xiamen and chatting with them about whether we should find time to cycle the Sichuan-Tibet line together. I told them about the conditions along the way, and their reactions seemed to be quite shocked.
In 2020, due to work, I moved from Xiamen to Shenzhen. I had planned to go in 2021, but I didn’t make it because of some matters. However, I took three days to climb the main peak of Siguniang Mountain, which is over 5000 meters high, as a warm-up for the future cycling trip on the Sichuan-Tibet line.
Action
Later, I finally decided to set off in April or May 2022 to cycle the Sichuan-Tibet line with one of my two friends.
After the Spring Festival in 2022, I started buying various equipment, reading various guides, and preparing my body in advance.
Equipment
Let’s talk about the clothes and other equipment I prepared for the May cycling trip!
Clothing
At least 2 quick-drying long sleeves (ideally 3), it is recommended to bring 3 pairs of quick-drying underwear, at least 2 pairs of quick-drying cycling pants (the kind with a bit of thickness for spring and autumn, not thin ones, because the temperature on the Sichuan-Tibet line is quite low, and summer cycling pants would be cold. I brought spring and autumn quick-drying sports pants with zippers on the legs, which can be tightened and have a moderate thickness. Also, bring a pair of quick-drying hiking pants for resting or replacing when the weather is bad), then 1 light down jacket + 1 set of three-in-one fleece windbreaker (or 1 light down jacket + a thick coat + 1 set of three-in-one fleece windbreaker). At that time, I had 1 light down jacket + 1 set of three-in-one windbreakers, but later I bought an additional thick fleece vest in Luding, which is equivalent to 1 down jacket + 1 thick fleece vest. This way, when it rains or snows or when your clothes get wet from sweating, you can change into dry clothes. Because as long as it rains or snows and you climb, your clothes are basically wet. When going down from the mountain pass, the temperature is low, and you need to add more clothes. It’s better to be prepared.
1 set of split rain gear (you can also choose a cycling cloak instead, which is much more breathable than rain gear), 1 pair of rain boots, 1 pair of sports shoes, 1 pair of hiking shoes or cycling shoes. I brought hiking shoes, which I wore while cycling and sports shoes while resting. You can also bring a pair of slippers for showering. A pair of knee pads, not too thin, is very important for knee warmth when going down from mountain passes and when it snows. A pair of summer cycling gloves, a pair of winter cycling gloves, the winter ones should be waterproof and rainproof. The temperature on the Sichuan-Tibet line is very low when it snows or rains, and having a waterproof glove is very practical. My winter gloves were not waterproof, so when it rained, they were soaked through in just over an hour, and my hands were very cold.
A fleece-lined warm hat, a fleece-lined warm scarf to wear when it snows, and when it’s too cold after going down from the mountain pass, I also brought a quick-drying autumn pants for running, in case it gets cold when it snows, but I didn’t wear it much on the road. When going down from the mountain pass, I wore rain gear and knee pads to keep warm. Usually, just wearing quick-drying cycling pants is enough because once you start cycling, your legs keep moving and stay warm. If it’s really cold, just tie the knee pads, and if it’s still cold, put on the rain gear, and that’s basically it.
Split rain gear should be breathable; if it’s not, you’re done for. On this trip, as soon as it rained, I wore rain gear all day, and the sweat on my body soaked my clothes in just over an hour. For the rest of the day’s journey, I had to wear completely soaked clothes, which was very uncomfortable. It is recommended to choose a cycling cloak instead, which is breathable. Bring 1 set of spring and autumn casual jackets to wear when resting. I didn’t bring any; I wore a single windbreaker and cycling pants when resting. Finally, bring several pairs of quick-drying and breathable sports socks.
Equipment
Bring sunglasses or cycling glasses, sometimes in the morning when climbing, it’s just facing the sun, sunglasses can prevent the eyes from being dazzled. Magic scarf, must bring, the ultraviolet rays on the 318 road are too strong, many places are exposed to the sun all day.
Thickened silicone cycling pants, frog lights, cycling safety helmets should all be purchased, and a rain cover for the trailer should also be bought. You can buy more frog flash lights, tie 2 on the back of the hat, and 2 on the back of the bike. At night or in unlit tunnels, the bright light of the frog lights can help the following vehicles or people identify your position, which is very practical and safe.
Cycling flashlights should be bright, thermos cups, power banks, ID cards, multi-socket outlets, convenient for charging at night, repair tools, 1 bottle of machine oil (to oil the chain in time after rain), bring a set of tire repair tools, bring a set of simple repair tools, bring an air pump, bring 2 spare tires, bring toiletries, bring a bag of laundry powder or laundry detergent, as a backup, towels, and also bring a folding hair dryer. After showering at high altitude, it’s best to blow-dry your hair immediately, and you can also use the hair dryer to dry clothes that don’t dry, which has many uses.
I also brought 5 pairs of earplugs because there was too much noise on the road, and I couldn’t rest well at night. So, I wore earplugs when sleeping, which made me sleep better. I didn’t buy a speedometer because I don’t usually cycle.
Medicine
Cold medicine, stomach medicine, heat-clearing medicine, bring a bottle of Yunnan Baiyao, and also bring some band-aids to prevent scratches from falling off a bike. High-altitude medicine, this should be brought, such as glucose, etc., I didn’t bring it because I had been to Lhasa before and climbed the Siguniang main peak over 5000 meters, and the high-altitude reaction was not too serious. On the 318 road, apart from not sleeping well, coughing, and having a slightly aching head, there were no other high-altitude reactions. If you feel unwell on the road, rest more and sleep well, which is the best medicine for the Sichuan-Tibet line.
There is also a finger clip pulse oximeter, which measures the physical condition of high-altitude reactions. When the altitude exceeds 3800 meters, measure your blood oxygen saturation. If it is below 85, you should pay attention. At this time, you should buy an oxygen tank in advance to prevent fainting from lack of oxygen. I didn’t buy it because I have high-altitude experience. You can buy it according to your own situation. If it’s your first time going to high altitude, it is recommended to buy it. The first time I went to Lhasa, I joined a group to go to Yangzhu Lake. The viewing platform was over 4500 meters above sea level. As soon as I got off the car, I had a high-altitude reaction. The road in front of me was crooked, just like being drunk. I leaned against the wall and took a long time to recover.
Photography
In addition, for photography supplies, I bought a GoPro 8, and then bought a few spare batteries, and 2 memory cards, which cost about 2500 yuan. It is recommended to rent, which is cheaper than buying. Later, I sold it for only 1500 yuan. Renting for a month isonly a few hundred yuan.
Signal
Regarding the mobile phone signal issue, I have a mobile card and a Unicom card. I used Unicom for the internet all the way, and there were basically no problems.
Backpack
Then, it is recommended to bring 2 bags, 1 large and 1 small. The small bag can hold some snacks and clothes, rain gear, etc., that can be used on the day of cycling. The large bag can hold spare clothes and things that are not needed on the day of cycling. When cycling, they are basically all placed in the trailer behind the mountain bike.
In addition to some things that are not easy to buy on the Sichuan-Tibet line, such as down jackets, it is recommended to prepare in advance. Some things can be bought on the road, such as spare tires, repair tools can be bought in Chengdu, and start light.
Physical Fitness
Exercise your body 2-3 months in advance, such as push-ups, squats, running, cycling, etc. If cycling, climb more slopes and read more articles or videos about climbing slopes or cycling techniques, such as how to adjust the big and small gears when climbing slopes to save effort. On the Sichuan-Tibet line, sometimes climbing slopes for dozens of kilometers and rising more than 1000 meters, good skills can really save your life.
Cash
Bring about 300 yuan in cash to prevent your phone from running out of power or having no signal. I prepared it, but I didn’t use it all the way. It’s better to be prepared.
I didn’t bring a tent or anything. I stayed in the inns cooperating with 57318 all the way. Most of them cost 80 yuan for accommodation and meals, and in the Tibet region, it’s about 100 yuan, which is acceptable and cost-effective.
In fact, when we set out, we brought more things than the above, including clotheslines and clothes hangers, but the inns on the road all had them, and they were basically useless. Carrying them on the road is also a burden. Of course, if you cycle for a few days and find that some things are not needed, you can send them directly to the inn in Lhasa where you are going to stay in advance, and let them receive them for you. My friend sent a bag of unnecessary things directly to the 57 Lhasa inn from Ya’an.
Common Cycling Problems
In the first week, the butt and legs were really sore. Even with thickened silicone cycling pants, it still hurt. It hurt every day, which made me want to give up every day in the first week. It was not only because of the pain in the legs and buttocks but also because it rained almost every day in the first week, which increased the difficulty of climbing mountains. In the end, I could only grit my teeth and persist. I rode for about 10 days and got used to it, and then the butt and legs didn’t hurt anymore.
Don’t litter on the road, prepare a bag to take it away, and throw it away at the inn in the evening.
If you are too tired or have a high-altitude reaction, be sure to stop and rest. Safety first.
On sunny days, there will be a lot of dust on the road. Be sure to bring a magic scarf. I wear it every day. Some places are dry, and when a big truck passes, it’s like fog, all dust. You can only stop on the side of the road and wait for the dust to disperse before passing.
Safety
In the first few days, pay the most attention to large trucks. There were too many large trucks on the road a few days after departing from Chengdu. Be sure to ride on the side, but not too close to the side. Some roadsides have drainage ditches to prevent falling in.
When going downhill, don’t get too close to the car in front, maintain a certain distance, and when going downhill for a long distance, there are many sharp bends. Use point braking, which is a safer braking method.
Sometimes, when walking in the mountains, especially in the second half of 318, many mountains stand steeply on both sides of the road. Be careful of falling rocks and don’t get hit.
The overall road conditions of 318 are fine, but be afraid of natural disasters such as landslides, and there are also some bad roads, but not too many.
Passing through Mingdong or tunnels, some tunnels have no lights, and it’s very unsafe. No matter whether the tunnel has lights or not, it is recommended to turn on the frog flash lights and the front light. Safety first.
Precautions
On the cycling road, it is recommended to replenish at least 2 days of snacks in the bag at any time, in case of emergencies. For example, due to weather reasons, sometimes there are no restaurants in the middle of climbing mountains, and it is often necessary to rely on snacks to satisfy hunger.
The weather forecast at high altitudes is basically inaccurate. Rain, hail, and snow are normal, and it often rains, stops, and then rains again. Rain gear and thick clothes must be placed in the bag that can be taken out at any time.
You will meet many different cycling friends on the road of the Sichuan-Tibet line. If the ability and rhythm are different, you may separate in a few days. In the end, those who are with you are those with similar abilities and rhythms.
Regarding night riding, I strongly suggest not to ride at night, as the risk is too great. I would rather set out at 6 o’clock every morning and would not ride at night. The unknown risks are too great.
Doubts
Everything is difficult at the beginning. I personally think that as long as you can persist to Litang, you can basically ride the whole journey. The most difficult part is the first few days, Erlang Mountain, Zheduo Pond, Zheduo Mountain, one day is more difficult than the previous day to climb. These three places are the big climbers in the first few days. If you can’t persist to Zheduo Mountain, there will be several more big mountains behind it, and the climbing will be more difficult. Zheduo Mountain is like a detector for cycling the Sichuan-Tibet line.
Do you need to bring self-defense tools? This is generally not needed. In my impression, only in two places, some cycling friends said they encountered wild monkeys and wild dogs. We just picked up a stick on the side of the road and put a few big stones in our pockets, but in the end, we basically didn’t encounter them. As long as you don’t ride at night, there is not too much danger.
The cost along the way may also be of concern to everyone. I stayed in the inns cooperating with 57 for most of the way. Most of them cost 80 yuan for accommodation and meals in the Sichuan area, and there may be fluctuations in the Tibet area due to prices, etc., 90 yuan or 100 yuan for accommodation and meals, and some may exceed 120 yuan. I calculated that I cycled for 23 days and rested for 6 days, a total of 29 days. The cost per day is about 120 yuan, which is about 80 yuan for accommodation + lunch + snacks + drinks. Sometimes when resting, I didn’t stay in the inns cooperating with 57 and found hotels by myself. The cost per night is about 100 yuan + about 150 yuan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside. The cost of accommodation and food and drink on the road for 29 days is about 3700 yuan. The food is not bad, but note that this is in May, which is the off-season. If it is the peak season in late June/July/August, it may be a bit more expensive.
Another question that everyone preparing to cycle 318 may care about is whether they can ride the whole journey. At the beginning, we were also very worried, but our goal was very clear, that is, we must ride to Lhasa. After I strained my leg on Zheduo Mountain, I still insisted on riding the whole journey with three traditional Chinese medicine patches on my leg every day. Difficulties and springs are the same, the stronger you are, the weaker it is, and the weaker you are, the stronger it is. If I feel uncomfortable on the road, I will rest for a few days and then continue to set out. If you feel unwell and want to persist, it is recommended to go to a nearby city with a lower altitude for treatment before continuing.
Finally, do not compare with others in terms of speed, and follow your own state and rhythm. At the beginning, I saw the strategy that some people finished in 20 days, 23 days, 25 days, and 28 days, and then I thought about trying to finish in 23 days. However, after I strained my leg on Zheduo Mountain, I didn’t care how many days it took to finish. It’s safe to finish riding. Follow the rhythm of your own health and physical condition. When you encounter a beautiful place, stay for a day and enjoy the local scenery and culture. Many people may only ride the Sichuan-Tibet line once in their lives. Since you are here, it doesn’t matter if you spend a few more days.
Below is the full record of the Sichuan-Tibet cycling route:
May 12, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter One)
May 13, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Two)
May 14, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Three)
May 16, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Four)
May 17, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Five)
May 19, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Six)
May 21, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Seven)
May 22, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Eight)
May 23, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Nine)
May 24, 2022: Cycling the Sichuan-Tibet Line from Shenzhen (Chapter Ten)
May 26th, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Eleven)
May 27th, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Twelve)
May 28th, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Thirteen)
May 29th, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Fourteen)
May 30th, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Fifteen)
June 1st, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Sixteen)
June 2nd, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Seventeen)
http://June 3rd, 2022: Departing from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Chapter Eighteen)
June 4, 2022: Setting off from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Nineteen)
June 6, 2022: Setting off from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Twenty)
June 7, 2022: Setting off from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Twenty-One)
June 8, 2022: Setting off from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Twenty-Two)
June 9, 2022: Setting off from Shenzhen to Cycle the Sichuan-Tibet Line (Day Twenty-Three)