Jiayuguan could be a boring Chinese city dominated by a big iron industry.

But Jiayuguan is also the westernmost limit of the Chinese Great Wall. This fort has been totally restored and is in a pristine condition.

After a visit of this grandiose fort, we went for shopping.

Before starting our travel we agreed to rent our bicycles in China. Transporting our own bikes would have been too complicated. But this was not very clever. Besides that we did not get the promised new bikes, the old ones we got are quite worn out. The frame sized might be correct, but other details do not fit. So, a much too low handlebar and a too short stem were the reasons of my big wrist problems, due to incorrect repartition of my bodyweight. We also did not get the promised slick tires, and the Chinese tires we are using are of lesser quality. Just read my yesterday’s post relating our 13 punctures, and you will understand.

After swapping bikes with Nico, I am fine, and so is Nico. Curt seems to have the best bike, but he’s not happy with his saddle. Charles complained of the general bad condition of his bike, and today went to a bike shop and finally bought a brand new one!

Curt went to buy a new photo camera. His one did not survive our desert excursions.

By the way: I must correct my last post: The final count of punctures was not 13 but FIFTEEN! There were two more flat tires when we left the next morning.

Charly's new bike?