good luck cycling mat. I'm sorry I don't have many answers for you though. Peter Snow at bikechina.com told me a while ago that he heard the route from Chengdu to Lhasa would open up to cyclists. He had not heard of anyone actualy doing it legaly. I'm planning a route from Vietnam to Chengdu to Lhasa and on to Kathmandu so I'm very interested in what you learn / find out on your way. Are you doing a website or such? Again, good luck and may the wind be at your back!