Monthly Archives: May 2008


In the instructions for the “Tranquilizing Mind and Replenishing Brain Liquor”: Points for attention: 1. Pugent and fatty food is forbidden, also avoid cigarette and wine. 2. Keep optimistic mood and avoid getting angry or indignant while taking this medicine. … I visited a pharmacy in downtown Shanshan today hoping […]

Day 678 – CHINA (XINJIANG): Chinese medicine


Well I finally dragged myself out of this nice airconditioned internet cafe yesterday and checked out the sandunes at the southern end of this small city of Shanshan. I jumped on my longboard and skated south downhill towards the river that acts as the boundary between city and no-man’s land. […]

Days 676 and 677 – CHINA (XINJIANG): Shanshan Sandunes


I received an email from a guy today. He is 17 years old, and his email stated that he wishes to ‘break the world record for longboarding’. I’m not sure what record that is, but he asked about my training, and about my board, and any wisdom that I might […]

Day 675 – CHINA (XINJIANG): Some thoughts



I installed Google Earth on this computer the other day in order to scope out any alternative roads to my friend Mr. National Highway 312, and I didn’t find any. But, I did see something amazing. Do a search for Shanshan, China in Google Earth or Google Maps (on the […]

Day 673 and Day 674 – CHINA (XINJIANG): Sandy Shanshan


I am still greatly indebted to Funboxx in Shanghai for all their support for my journey here in China. When I visited them in Shanghai before setting out, they interviewed me. Click on the link below and then click on the second tab on the sub-menu…if that makes sense…for the […]

Day 672 – CHINA (XINJIANG): Look…I’m a celebrity…


Today’s distance / ???????: 15 miles / 24.6km Average speed / ????: 7.4mph / 12.0km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 2h 03m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4736mi plus 280mi (?) / 7623km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 175m Descent / ??: 60m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N42° […]

Day 671 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From 25km from Shanshan to ...



Today¡¯s distance / ???????: 43.8 miles / 70.4km Average speed / ????: 7.9mph / 12.8km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 5h 31m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4721mi plus 280mi (?) / 7598km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 540m Descent / ??: 235m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N42¡ã […]

Day 670 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From Turpan to 25km from ...



Well, as beautiful and vibrant as Turpan is, it is all rather too hot to do anything, really. Hot, hot, hot. It is going to be rather interesting trying to skate across the desert with this heat. Lots of early morning starts are on the cards, I think. So no […]

Day 664 – CHINA (XINJIANG): In Turpan



Today’s distance / ???????: 30 miles / 47km Average speed / ????: 9.9mph / 16km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 2h 58m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4677mi plus 280mi (?) / 7528km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 105m Descent / ??: 405m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N42° […]

Day 663 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From MM4030 on G312 to ...





Just a very quick post to let you know that the very recent earthquake in Sichuan was about 3,000km south from where I am right now, so no need to be concerned for my safety in that respect. Still rolling in Xinjiang Province…. Rob

I am OK



Despite, or rather perhaps because of, my hard push yesterday afternoon, I limped into Urumqi this morning a physical wreck. The blister on my left heel was giving me grief, and my legs had no strength. I was all uphill, and surprise surprise, a headwind. It just so happened that […]

Day 658 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From 26km to Urumqi to ...




Today’s distance / ???????: 47 miles / 76km Average speed / ????: 9.2mph / 14.8km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 5h 07m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4491mi plus 280mi (?) / 7228km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 145m Descent / ??: 115m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N44° […]

Day 656 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From near Shawan to somewhere ...


Today’s distance / ???????: 37 miles / 60km Average speed / ????: 7.8mph / 12.6km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 4h 48m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4444mi plus 280mi (?) / 7152km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 340m Descent / ??: 310m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N44° […]

Day 655 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From Kuitun to 20km from ...



Today’s distance / ???????: 38 miles / 62km Average speed / ????: 9.6mph / 15.5km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 3h 58m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4406mi plus 280mi (?) / 7092km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 275m Descent / ??: 325m End-of-day GPS coordinates: n/a Check […]

Day 654 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From a town at N44.22.17 ...


Today’s distance / ???????: 47 miles / 76km Average speed / ????: 11mph / 17.6km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 4h 20m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4368mi plus 280mi (?) / 7030km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 300m Descent / ??: 165m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N44° […]

Day 653 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From a culvert 45km from ...


Today’s distance / ???????: 28 miles / 43km Average speed / ????: 10mph / 16km/h Time on skateboard / ????: 2h 54m Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 4321mi plus 280mi (?) / 6954km plus 450km (?) Ascent / ??: 240m Descent / ??: 145m End-of-day GPS coordinates: N44° […]

Day 652 – CHINA (XINJIANG): From Jinghe to a culvert ...



Spent the day in an internet cafe getting up to date. Some reading for you for the next few days as I head out tomorrow into the unknown: Distance longboarding psyche: Adam Colton explains it much better than I ever could The adventurer psyche: Forwarded to me by Marija Kozin: […]

Day 651 – CHINA (XINJIANG): Some light reading…


So, I wake up this morning, feeling 100% better after the rough day yesterday of the high fever and feeling generally grotty. I am hungry however. Very hungry. Time for breakfast. Not enough money in my daily wallet for breakfast. Must suppliment with cash from my document case. I reach […]

Day 650 – CHINA (XINJIANG): I don’t go down without ...