Commuting - Another Beijing commute

A few months ago, I posted pictures (http://www.brezhnev.net/2006/04/10/62.html) of my commute here, and got a lot of good feedback. I've moved and have a new job, so the commute has changed. I've finally gotten around to posting pictures of the ride. Rather than posting them on BikeForums (with the image-per-post limit), I've put them all up on my own site. If you're interested, go take a look (http://www.brezhnev.net/2006/10/26/72.html)!

very cool, thanks for the great pics!

surprising how 'roomy' the street spaces feel: at what time of the day were you riding & taking these pics? Does it get a lot more crowded later?

cool - now if there's someone with more patience than me we could get the route mapped on google earth based on the descriptions and pictures

Very cool. Thanks so much. That was truly enjoyable.

I think I might have asked before, but what are you doing in Beijing (i.e., why are you there)?

Excellent! Nice to see another part of the world. Not as busy as I would have expected it...

thanks,
baker

That was a nice ride.

Here's a Google Earth map (http://www.brezhnev.net/bikeforums/commute.jpg) for those of you who are interested.

To answer the questions, I usually leave my house around ten past nine in the morning. It's not the middle of rush hour, so traffic isn't as bad as it could be. If I left an hour earlier, it would be significantly more crowded. As for why I'm in Beijing, I'm currently working as an intern with a PR firm. I originally came here two years ago to study Chinese.

Glad you all enjoyed the pictures!

Here's a Google Earth map (http://www.brezhnev.net/bikeforums/commute.jpg) for those of you who are interested.

awesome - thanks - interesting how distinctive the old/new areas are on the sat phot - lots of press recently on the construction for the olympics.

Yes, there's a big difference in density and construction type inside and outside the 2nd Ring Road (I cross the North-South section of it about two-thirds of the way along my commute). As you go further out (3rd, 4th, 5th and now 6th rings), things get more spread out and less bicycle-friendly. The Olympic stadium is just north of the North 4th Ring, in area that was farmland not too long ago (i.e. 5-10 years ago).

I should note that there is no "1st Ring Road", although you can sort of trace one out on the roads around the Forbidden City.

I should note that there is no "1st Ring Road", although you can sort of trace one out on the roads around the Forbidden City.

the moat, surely? :rolleyes:

thanks again - viva urban sprawl :(

Neat. Thanks for the images. My wife and I are traveling to China sometime in the Spring, I cannot wait. I eat stuff like this up :D

the moat, surely? :rolleyes:


Hey! That makes sense! :p


viva urban sprawl :(

:(

Kinda inevitable in a country with a population of 1.3 billion and a car fixation.

:( :(

Neat. Thanks for the images. My wife and I are traveling to China sometime in the Spring, I cannot wait. I eat stuff like this up :D

You're welcome! Where are you headed?

Very Nice, This and the old one. I used live around that lake and ride to my high school passing that bridge. Oh, miss it so much. Can't believe it's less 6 miles for the distance you commuted. Wish i can do it there some time again.

Hey, Khorazm! Welcome to BikeForums! Do you mind my asking where you are now?

You're welcome! Where are you headed?
We don't know :D

We're adopting, and that will take us wherever the child is. All I know for certain is we will definitely be in Guangzhou, as there is business to take care of at the US Embassy.

Other than that, your guess is as good as mine!

I can't wait.

We don't know :D

We're adopting, and that will take us wherever the child is. All I know for certain is we will definitely be in Guangzhou, as there is business to take care of at the US Embassy.

Other than that, your guess is as good as mine!

I can't wait.


I've just joined, reading quite a lot of posts the past 2 weeks or so and this one caught my interest today. My sister's family will also be doing the same thing - going to Guangzhou for adoption reasons. It's their 2nd adoption and they've waited a long time for this one. I may be going with her to pick up her child sometime early next year. I ordered a Mini DT and hoping that I can bring it along. Just got my UPS note that it will be delivered to our house this afternoon. Can't wait.

I'll make sure to keep my eyes out for any of your China postings ! :)

Tell her I said good luck and Godspeed, simba! We're in the waiting phase right now. Spring is the most likely timeframe. We can't wait!

An exciting time, for sure. You should go!!

Here's another great link (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=lt&page_id=30306&v=7e), if you haven't seen it.

Hey, Khorazm! Welcome to BikeForums! Do you mind my asking where you are now?

Sorry, I meant to write more yesterday, but I have to get back to work. I was born and grew up in Beijing and came to the States about 15 years ago. Now I live in Albany, NY, some kind smallish city though it's the capital of NY State. I picked up bike commuting this summer, it's such a good feeling and bring back the memories of the old time. I'm biking like 11-12 miles one way here and now the start of the cold weather. Hope I can get through this winter. The distance you bike in my days would be considered long one. Except when I went college there and bike from home (in old city) to Beida, but that's only once a week or less. I might go back to Beijing next spring. Hope I can ride bike there again.