2nd July 2015 Inner Mongolia MTB Pre-Race

Arrived in Beijing early morning. FKB picked us up from airport to a nearby Korean restaurant which offers bathing, food, & places to zzzz. Very smooth & power drive of Mercedes Benz R400!

0430, (Sun rise already!)we prepare the left to airport for the transfer to Inner Mongolia via China Airline at 0600. 

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Still image taken in the plane. Flat wide grass land. 

Bird's eye view of Inner Mongolia

 

We arrived at Xilinhot airport in the morning. The race organiser already have the bus ready to picks us up to be transferred to Xiwuqi, where the official race hotel is.

Packing bikes into the coach with other participants.  Final preps to the race destination Xiwuqi

Mr Keith is doing the final instpection for the bikes to ensure it arrive in ONE PIECE!

Wefie before the bus depart.

Clear sky along the way to Xiwuqi

Wild sheeps are scattered by the road side.

Horses running freely in the wide grass land

2 hours of bus ride...  finally arrived! Taking photo with Mr Oong with the 5-stars flag behind.

1100 we checked into hotel and straight unpack our MTB so we can ride into the Xiwuqi town to explore foods. However, the weather suddenly become heavy rain fall. Then we just had some snacks and spend time in unpacking bike  + collecting the race-kits. 

The legendary Genghis Khan's horse saddle (replica version)

Assembling bike in a naken way.

Race kits collection centre is at the hotel's ball room.  Prompt service, all done in less than 5 minutes.

   For the lunch, we walked to the nearby restaurant which serving steam-boat Mongolian style very tasty & friendly  service. At the time of 1300, most of the restaurants are very very quiet. I was told that the local will have lunch from 1130!

   After lunch, we went back to hotel and have some rest. 

   1800, I thought the sky would be dark early. When check on weather forecast, the sun set at 2030!!! So we decided to explore the grass land before dinner time. 

    It was a very beautiful day in the grass land. Chilling fresh air, blue sky, cloudless.  Very beautiful. 

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