Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,

Welcome to what has become my main ride here in Shangrao.
Depending on the weather, this is the ride I do many afternoons each working week.

This ride came about simply by putting together all of my other 'Around the City’ rides which takes me around the entire city and county circumference and if ridden without stop it takes around two and a half hours. That never happens as this is China and there are always new offshoots and snacks to explore.

So on average it takes me around three to four hours.
And what wonderful hours they are!

For those who are interested, the ride is the black lines found on the map of Shangrao that I’ve added. I have also penned in the other rides destinations (in circles) that helped me put it together. These rides I’ve previously written blogs about but in this blog I have also added a hyperlink (my links have ** before them) to each so any new readers can actually sit back and enjoy the ride in its completion.

Most of the photos in this rides entry are from last term as this term on weekends I now head much further away from the city, either following the river or heading out into the mountains trying to piece together much longer rides such as my ride **‘Too the Moon Hill’ and my **‘Back from Moon Hill’ rides. Like today take I usually spend around five to six hours riding as I’m yet to find THE road that links them together so I have to continually back track to continue.

I’ve around a month and a half, maybe two months left here in Shangrao so it is doubtful I will find ‘The Link’ but hey, it is now around thirty degrees each day so I’m sure I will have a heap of fun trying. For any new foreign teachers here in Shangrao city that love peddles as much as I do, below is a simple break down of my weekday afternoon’s ride and for everyone else, over the next few months I am sure I can put foot to peddle and string together a few more exciting blogs that may help your coffee break pass by wondering why you are there and I am here living the dream….tee hee!

My Leisurely Afternoon City Outskirts Ride

Beginning at the **Number 5 Primary School in Shangrao County, head a few blocks west to where the city begins at Wuyishan Road then cross the Xingjiang River and ride through the rural villages heading east along the river. After the first bridge you will notice across the river the two beautiful ancient pagodas located in the river side ** Twin Pagoda Park. Continue heading east towards the Teachers College where my favourite snack street can found across the Sanjiang River on the eastern outskirts of town where the **Shangrao Concentration Camp can also be found.  

 Continue riding east and turn left at the next road and after re-cross the Sanjiang River begin heading north east and then turn left where the Crazy Plastic Policeman is. This will take you over the small hill to the main entrance to **Forest Mountain Park. From here continue to follow the Xingjiang River east to the last bridge and if you have time, why not drop into the sleepy and historical **DongYue Temple which is found only a short ride up a small hill (there is a large sign at the turnoff).

Continue following the river road which will take you through a small village and once on the main road turn left and cross the bridge. After crossing turn right at the next main road (left will take you back into the city) and continue until what I have named ‘Breast Corner’ which for me makes a nice stop to sit rehydrate and site back and relax for a few minutes whilst enjoying the scenery! Here turn left and head north towards the main yet outer train station and at the only main lights/road turn left and head back towards the city. On the left you will soon come across a large stone archway and here can be found GuYuan Temple which is nestled amongst the trees on one of the only hills this side of the Xingjiang river.

After a relaxing visit take Fenghuang Road down to SanQingshan Road which is the main northern outer road which runs all the way back down to Wuyishan Road (the western outer road where this ride began) which also passes **Long Tan Lake Park. Then head back to **Shangrao County for a well needed cold beer and rest and yes family and friends, that is the lovely JiangNi being cute with her phone and across the road deliciously buying snacks!

Beers N Noodles toya…..shane
PS: if the Hypertext is highlighting only ONE WORD then it is Travelpod's link.
All my links have ** before them.
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The soundtrack to this entry was by Motley Crue
The album was ‘Dr Feelgood’
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