Zigong - Rongxian – 48 km
The ride from Zigong to Rongxian was in freezing weather, with wind and rain. My
friends from the frozen north may think: What is this woman on about? It's only
three degrees C! I'm sure my South African friends would agree that three
degrees C is darn cold! Ernest kept reminding me I was a baby in cold weather,
and I didn't feel sorry when his gear cable broke into Rongxian. Why pass a
perfect town offering hotels and restaurants, when you've long forgotten you
have fingers or toes?
After a steaming bowl of noodle soup, I got into the wooden spa-like tub in the
room and stayed indoors for the rest of the evening.
Rongxian – Leshan – 92 km
Loading the bikes, the hotel staff presented us with a neatly written note, stating
the weather was unusually cold and that we should dress warmly and eat the
apples they packed. How sweet of them.
While bitterly cold, it was thankfully not raining. The way was good and led past
temples, pagodas, rivers and valleys until reaching Leshan, known for its Grand
Buddha, which I was keen to get a glimpse of. Once again, I was struck by the
friendliness and honesty of the Chinese people. Cycle rickshaw drivers were
eager to show us to a popular budget hotel (in other places this is usually done at
a fee). Once there, we offered to pay, but he refused and merely waited to see if
we were happy before quietly disappearing.