http://www.trippert.comTrippert : share and blog your trips120 http://www.trippert.com/article/1523:Beijing+-+Off+the+Beaten+TrackBeijing is massive. Most people stay well within the reach of the 5th Ring Road (unless it's a day trip to Badaling or the Ming Tombs). As a result, they're missing out on the real "great outdoors" -- on the outskirts of Beijing.And we're talking about the bits of Beijing that sometimes don't even makeTue, 14 August 2007 20:10:00 America/New_Yorkhttp://www.trippert.com/article/1447:This+hat+or+that+hat I thought it best since I had made my excuses to get in a hotel that I should perhaps repack everything and post some stuff back. Wise move. Previously it has been too chilly and awkward to strip the bags down and start again. Next to my radiator I was ruthless. Almost. Popped into the post office and sent off the parcel.Tue, 24 July 2007 05:18:27 America/New_Yorkhttp://www.trippert.com/article/1446:DelusionsThe temperature stayed at -6 for a few hours in the morning before going up a little bit but not much. The thing that troubles me the most in mornings is having to roll up my sleeping mat and get it in its bag. For physiological reasons I just cant have it outside the panniers as the current load already looks far too big.Living inTue, 24 July 2007 05:15:53 America/New_Yorkhttp://www.trippert.com/article/1445:NeedlesWoke up, had breakfast and made ready for the head winds. It has been confirmed by numerous people that these Northerly headwinds are continuous, varying only in their intensity. They are whipping down from Siberia with an unmistakable Russia gusto, picking up speed through mongolia. I look at my map and the route takes my directly north. So beTue, 24 July 2007 05:13:10 America/New_Yorkhttp://www.trippert.com/article/1444:WarmI woke up feeling clammy all over. I hadn't showered or changed my clothes in quite a while. When its freezing cold the last thing you think about is taking layers off in the evening. I don't think I smell, but who can be sure. My nose is permanently blocked anyway from the cold. Powerful head winds all day whilst going up a hill thatTue, 24 July 2007 05:10:34 America/New_York