| Author |
Message |
edhont
Newbie
Joined: July 10, 2008
Posts: 4
Status: Offline
|
 Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 04:24 PM |
 
|
| Post subject: CYCLING from Xintiandi to Gubei |
Hi,
I arrived in Shanghai mid of May. Am now living in an apartment close to Xintiandi and I work in the Gubei area. Going to work with Taxi. Is getting boring, so I wonder whether it is possible to go by bicycle? Does anyone have experience in cycling to work.
Best regards,
Emanuel |
|
|
|
|
aussieflip
Squeeker
Joined: May 30, 2008
Posts: 10
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 05:08 PM |
|
|
I have been here about the same amount of time and have recently got myself a road bike. Riding to work is the greatest time ever! It sure won't be boring! Since you have been here a little while you already know the traffic so as long as you expect people to come out of everywhere then you should be fine. I love riding even though I took my first tumble today, but don't let that put you off! You see so much more being on a bike rather than in a taxi or on a bus.
And I know the locals don't wear helmets but I sure do!
Good luck! |
|
|
|
|
|
boredengineer
SuperStar
Joined: Oct 17, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 05:11 PM |
|
|
I used to cycle to work. It was only a short distance, about 20-25 minutes but I enjoyed it. But in the coming heat? No way. |
|
|
 |
|
yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 19240
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
|
| Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 05:45 PM |
|
|
I ride daily. Heat typhoon whatever. Its a good expereince overall, especially fridays when traffic sucks.
From XTD, i think youd need to make a few detours to find themain BIKE thoroughfares as bikes are restricted on Yan An Rd. But overall, it can be a very very enjoyable experience. |
_________________
The right to free speech does not grant you freedom from the repercussions of what you say. This and more on my Blog...Random Thoughts about Living in Shanghai...and more |
|
 |
|
andyfff
Rocker
Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 718
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 06:05 PM |
|
|
Where to buy a decent bike in this town? Does anybody sell Trek or Marin? |
|
|
|
|
|
PaulR
Talker
Joined: Dec 05, 2007
Posts: 89
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 09:22 PM |
|
|
| andyfff wrote: |
| Where to buy a decent bike in this town? Does anybody sell Trek or Marin? |
Type Bikes or Cycling into the search box on the left side of the forum front page, click on the ShanghaiExpat button....should be allready highlighted as a default, and hit entre.
Many many threads about the better bike stores in shanghai.
2 good Trek stores, one near Zongshan Park on Changning road near Loushanguan rd and the other at the junction of Fuxing Road (E) and Xizang Rd (S) (oterwise known as (T*BET Rd)
But I've never found MARIN though!
Giant stores dominate in Shanghai, their biggest store is in the Shanghai Stadium complex, everything up to full carbon available if you have the cash.
Enjoy the Cycle to work....its great fun as the other posters say, dont dither at junctions, see a space and go for it!...........I'm guessing your trip would be 40 / 60 minutes at a leasurely pace depending on traffic and which back streets you take.......you will need to shower when you get to work though! |
|
|
|
|
|
matty
Raver
Joined: Mar 01, 2004
Posts: 479
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 10, 2008 - 09:41 PM |
|
|
From XTD, I would cycle South down Huangpi Lu to Jianguo Lu and then cycle West all the way to the end near Hengshan Road. Then I would continue to Xujiahui and onwards to Hongqiao. I'm a bit vague on Hongqiao and Gubei, but The former French Concession is great fun for cycling. |
_________________
www.catshanghai.com/blog |
|
|
|
|
PaulR
Talker
Joined: Dec 05, 2007
Posts: 89
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 11, 2008 - 05:25 AM |
|
|
I'd definitely check out your route at a weekend, and find back streets to get around the NO BIKES roads.........there is a section on Hengshan that is closed to BIKES and you are forced down side streets or as the locals do...on to the pavements, which slows you down considerably. I usually draw a straight line on a map for my weekend tours from start to the destination and have some fun exploring. It's suprising what gems of Shanghai you find when cycling. |
|
|
|
|
|
dkerr99
Seeker
Joined: Dec 28, 2007
Posts: 46
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 11, 2008 - 11:55 AM |
|
| Post subject: cycling |
I've done a lot of biking in Puxi / Concession area over last couple of months. If you like biking - its not too difficult in terms of distance but as suggested - you really have to plan your route. As the crow flies - its not far - but there is no direct route - and it all depends how much you like busy streets (even with bike lanes) vs quieter streets. Based on the one way streets - your route one way may be different going the other. I don't where you are going in Gubei - but I can suggest a route based on experience - I'm guessing it will take you (depending on how aggressively you bike) the better part of an hour (I live near Regent Hotel - Jiangsu and Huashan) and it takes me between 20 and 30 minutes to get to Xiantindi. I think I might be halfway to Gubei...
Oh - it can be freaking hot now - in case you haven't noticed..... |
|
|
|
|
|
sinned69
Veejay
Joined: Sep 01, 2004
Posts: 1814
Location: China, Middle East, Asia Pacific
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 11, 2008 - 01:01 PM |
|
|
go for it. when i was living in SH at the end of my contract i spent 6 months of cycling, around 200km more or less per day. excellent way to learn to navigate the city and also to find the gems. happens to be a nice way to meet other like minded peeps too.
if you follow the advice of a previous poster, do a search, some of the links will include posts from yours truly concerning foldup bikes (mainly Dahons). i cant swear enough about the advantages of a foldup bike over a standard framed bike especially for use in China/Asia/Shanghai et al.
whatever way you go, get a more solid bike than a road/racing bike, you will be thankful in the long term...
there are many links for bikes... heres just a few
http://www.my-dahon.com/
http://www.speedcat.net/
http://www.shanghaicycling.com/
http://www.bohdi.com.cn/ |
_________________
qing nin shao deng |
|
 
|
|
BoShiDunRedSox
Barker
Joined: July 07, 2008
Posts: 162
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
July 11, 2008 - 02:45 PM |
|
|
There's a TREK store in Pudong (near the corner of Biyun and Meihua), and a nice SPECIALIZED shop (the only one in China) on Biyun, next to Diamond Court Serviced Apartments. Used both for service (tune ups) and bought a nice Tricross at the Specialized store. Both are a little pricey, but quality and service are excellent. |
|
|
|
|
|
annunaki
Newbie
Joined: May 19, 2005
Posts: 8
Location: shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Aug 04, 2008 - 05:53 PM |
|
|
You may check out this new bike shop named "DEVILS bike shop" (scary name) in jiangning road,haifang road,on the way to the jade buddha temple. They have quite a collection of high end parts and bike brands on display. I've seen some carbon meridas and even a beautiful Ibis mojo. I'm not a roadie but there were a few exotic looking frames there as well. Price is reasonable and the service is quite good. The owner even speaks english. I have an s works m5 n stumpy back home, and i never thought of bringing one over or even keep an mtb in this city. But I do take my trusty Dahon Vitesse to work everyday, its more appropriate here I guess. I saw one guy on a sta.cruz nomad, in full battle gear jumping over kerbs and gutters and I thought it looked funny, even though the bike was super cool. We're not in whistler so lets be realistic.  |
_________________
jon... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
