MerDragon China Rally 2010

[NaPTuNe]

The English translation of the newspaper article:

 

28 members including 3 female, of Team 27 leaves next month for

MERDRAGON 2010

 

China Bike Rally in 1994, Team Club President Peter Poh planned China Bike Rally in 1997 but due to the economic downturn causing sponsors to withdraw, the plan was shelved indefinitely. After two years of preparation, the Merdragon 2010 is finally taking place.

 

After 16 years since their last major mission, Team 27 which consists of Big Bike aficionados will once again leave for China with a 28-member entourage aged between 25 and 68.

 

Team 27 which was formed 25 years ago is the bike club with the longest history in Singapore. Members used to gather along Lor 27 Geylang, hence the name of the club. Team 27 lent its powerful presence to Chingay Procession for three years. Together with their Malaysian and Thai associates, Team 27 organises the annual 3 Nation Charity Ride in aid of children in various countries.

 

56 year-old Club President of Team 27, Mr Peter Poh mentions that after the (tour) in 1994, there were plans for another expedition in 1997, but due to the Asian Economic Crisis, many confirmed sponsors withdrew and the tour was put on hold for the time being. Team 27 members felt that the right time has come for the Merdragon and preparations started two years ago. Members feel $8,000 is a small price to pay for this experience of a lifetime.

 

A few days ago, a procession of of Harley Davidsons, BMWs, Yamahas arrived at Pasir Panjang terminal to be loaded onto containers headed to Tianjin for transit onto Beijing.

 

Peter says that big bikes are rare in China and are hardly allowed to ride freely on busy highways. Having been granted permission to carry on with this almost impossible expedition gives the organizing team a vast sense of achievement. The group hopes to share their passion for big bikes with the locals in China and share experiences with them, while taking in the sights and cultures as they pulse through the many delightful cities.

 

The entourage will leave from Beijing on 8 August, riding through Dezhou, Jinan, TaiAn, Xuzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi navigating south towards Shanghai. The route will take 14 days to complete and cover 1740 kilometers.

 

E Holidays representative, who also led the tour 16 years ago says a expedition of this kind takes approval from 6 government agencies and applying for riding and driving permits for members. With the ride coinciding with the World Expo, they have the additional security issues to deal with. Furthermore, although the route is exactly as it was 16 years ago, the course of some roads may have changed from 16 years ago. The process of preparation was very challenging.

 

 

Chinese Traffic Police to Escort the fleet

 

The Tour agent has arranged for Traffic police to escort the fleet throughout their ride, with vehicles in the front and back for broken-down bikes and a mini-bus for friends and relatives who are non-riders.

 

In comparison, says Albert Oon, Club Vice President, the last crusade was made up of mostly Singaporeans and Malaysians, but this time about half of the group comes from Harley Owners Group and a mixture of visitors from Canada, America, Brazil, Norway and England. This will also be the first time female riders are included.

 

The 3 female riders are 53 year-old Norwegian, Sannaess Siri, Canadian Hoalim Phylle Li Rose (48) and the youngest member of the group, Wong Joy Victoria (25).

 

Wong Joy Victoria joined the Club only last year. She says it used to be rare seeing female riding big bikes, but women these days are braver. She has close friends who are also big bike enthusiasts but they prefer to ride locally or in Malaysia for the time being.

 

Joy says biker blood flows in her veins, and since she has been surrounded by bikers, she decided to get a bike licence when she was just 18. That was just the beginning. As her passion for bikes grew, so did the bikes she rode. Being female, instructors usually paid her “special attention” but she took them in stride.

 

Although more female are getting into bigger bikes, Joy doesn’t encourage petite women to attempt riding big bikes. Especially while stopping at traffic lights, when the shorter women need to support themselves and the bikes on tiptoes which could lead to toppling over and is extremely dangerous.

 

Joy feels that Merdragon 2010 will be exciting and unforgettable. Next, she hopes to challenge the scenic Great Ocean Road in Australia, which passes The Twelve Apostles, feeling the freedom and wind ruffling through her hair and the satisfaction of arriving at her destination.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[terri_one]

I am going to.... but riding a tiny red Fazer 600 . Cant wait for this to happen. See you guys.

Edited July 22, 2010 by terri_one
spacing

[NaPTuNe]

I am going to.... but riding a tiny red Fazer 600 . Cant wait for this to happen. See you guys.

 

YeeAAhH!!~~~ Rock & Roll Baby!~

[ah_veo]

wow...cool bike..cool rider.

enjoy the ride, and ride safely

[sp2]

can't wait for ur pics to be uploaded... I'm staying tuned... wahaha...

[NaPTuNe]

Hi all,

 

I will be leaving this sunday 8th to Beijing. The advance party had already been there for 2 days. The advance party will help to unstuff the containers and prepare our motorcycles.

 

2 days 2 days to flying off.. YeAhHh!~

 

I'm all fired up!! :gun:

[NaPTuNe]

Latest News!! Our bikes safely arrived and unloaded at our Beijing Hotel carpark!

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/th_IMG_0319.jpg

Edited August 6, 2010 by NaP^TuNe

[NaPTuNe]

[yt]

[/yt] Edited August 30, 2010 by NaP^TuNe

[pichudot]

say hi to Mark for me...

enjoyz the ride!

 

 

Charles

[NaPTuNe]

Hi all,

 

I am back from China and I am good. Kindly allow me a few days to slowly upload and share my pictures. I took over 700 photos, its crazy...

 

Here's 2 to share first: ;-D

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/_HMW8628.jpg

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/_HMW8432.jpg

 

So, stay tuned.

[fc6y]

You have been thu what others did not experience before. For a girl like you going for this China ride, only those who are with you riding together can tell... You are good and You are great...

[NaPTuNe]

You have been thu what others did not experience before. For a girl like you going for this China ride, only those who are with you riding together can tell... You are good and You are great...

 

Thank you Chief Marshall- Ah Poh!!! You will NOT be left out from my pictures sharing. Hee~

[terri_one]

i was one of the member too. i saw nap^tune rode over humps, potholes and muddy terrain. she is very impressive. a very good rider.

 

and then on the SQ plane back, we met another stewardess who owns a 1098 Ducati too. What a rare coincidence.... two out of three lady ducati owners on board.

 

this ride was really a blast. wish i could do it again. this time, i must bring my loved one along.

[NaPTuNe]

Alright! Here I go.

Sorry to keep you all waiting.

 

I will be sharing over 500 photos, of which are a mixture of my own and photos taken by different riders and a non-riding photographer by the name of H.M who followed us on the trip. Thank you all of you for the great photos!

 

On the 4th of Aug, around 10pax left Singapore for Beijing to be the advance party to help unload and prepare the 28 bikes. The main group of riders will only arrive Beijing on the 8th night. I am with the main group.

 

Below are pictures taken before I arrive when the advance party were unloading my bike from the container. My Duke was "man-handled" by 6 macho guys. They literally CARRIED my bike out from the container. I asked them why later on, I was told because they were afraid my under farrings would be scratched if they use the fork-lift. (I am not at all worried actually, because what if i fall or drop my bike during the trip? For a crazy mind like mine who would take a Duke to China, I couldn't be bothered about scratches. But still, I am glad my bike was well treated by everyone.)

 

6th Of Aug

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/1-1.jpg

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Edited August 26, 2010 by NaP^TuNe

[NaPTuNe]

On the 8th, when I was on my way to the airport, I received pictures of my bike becoming a christmas tree...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/9.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/10.jpg

 

These guys over at Beijing finished unloading the bikes and they had nothing better to do...

[NaPTuNe]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/11.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/13.jpg

 

Unlike some of the riders who had to carry their helmets on board, I managed to pack my all my riding gears including the helmet into my big luggage bag.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/12.jpg

 

I got a window seat. A few hours into our flight I saw lightnings in the skies. A brilliant display of electric sparks within the clouds. It was as thou heavens are throwing a disco party...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/16.jpg

[NaPTuNe]

The main group of riders and non-riders (pillion or sitting coach bus) arrived at the Beijing airport late of 8th night.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/_HMW7786.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0018.jpg

 

We were greeted by representatives from Team27 at the airport. This trip is organised by Team27, a motorcycling club in Singapore. In 1994, they did a similar road-trip in China, riding from Beijing to Shanghai. 16years apart and they've decided to do it again. Some of the riders who came for this trip did the trip back in 1994.

 

We got transferred into the coach bus and back to our hotel. The first night ended quickly.

[NaPTuNe]

The following 2 days, 9th & 10th was a no ride day. We had programmes and sight-seeing tours lined up for us in Beijing.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0035-1.jpg

 

On the 9th, after breakfast I went to check out our bikes.

 

28 bikes:

9 Harley Davidsons (1 female)

9 BMW

4 Yamaha

3 Honda

1 Suzuki

1 Kawasaki (1 female)

1 Ducati (1 female = me!) hehee~~

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0032-2.jpg

 

We had police officers looking after our bikes and preventing people from touching it. The riders were each given a pass to gain access to our bike. When i cross over the line to touch my bike, the police officer didn't stop me nor ask me for my pass. Another rider grinned and told the police officer that the Ducati was mine. The officer replied :" Yeah I know that. We all know! Its a lady riding it. We were just waiting to see who it was."

 

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0028.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0024.jpg

 

The Harleys were parked one side, my Duke was right at the end.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0025.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0020-1.jpg

 

The BMWs parked on the other end.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0026.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0033.jpg

Edited August 26, 2010 by NaP^TuNe

[NaPTuNe]

This is how the pass looked like. But its useless to me, My face is "My Pass". Hee hee hee...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0034.jpg

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0022.jpg

Sign says: No Bicycle. (Only Motor Cycles hee~)

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0027.jpg

 

Above: Introducing our very "gung-ho" Mark Goh aka terri_one. (Hiak hiak hiak... now everyone knows how you look.) With his Fazer 600. I got to know that he wanted to attend the same trip back in 1994 but missed out due to some reasons. When he heard of the trip this time round, he wouldn't want to miss it again. He bought this bike specially for this trip!

 

There are a few people who bought their bike specially to attend this trip. When I heard of this trip, I was simply interested and came along (with the wrong kind of bike).

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0440.jpg

And seems like Mark enjoy playing prank inside my picture...

Edited August 28, 2010 by NaP^TuNe

[NaPTuNe]

We gathered 9.30am at the hotel function room for an eyesight evaluation and inspection of our license and vehicle documents...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0019-1.jpg

Sign says: "Ride Motorcycle Tour China" --> Proceed to Lu Kang Function Room.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0036.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0039-1.jpg

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0038.jpg

The Beijing police officers who inspected our documents.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0037.jpg

 

Above is H.M our trip photographer. He did not ride on this trip. Photography had taken over motorcycling as his top hobby, so he came along to help us capture great moments on his camera(ss).

[NaPTuNe]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/HMW_7567.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/HMW_7569.jpg

Performing the eyesight test.

 

And it's lunch time after that at the opposite hotel restaurant.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/P1080607.jpg

Beside me is Nelson from Brazil.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/_HMW7888.jpg

[NaPTuNe]

After lunch, our coach bus took us to a quick Hutong tour by sitting in the rickshaw.

 

Hutong is a typical lane or small street in Beijing that originated during the Yuan Dynasty. In the past, Beijing was composed of countless courtyards. Hutongs were formed when people left a passageway between two courtyards to make entering them more convenient. There are tens of thousands of hutongs surrounding the Forbidden City.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0046.jpg

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[NaPTuNe]

K.O , K.O. I go zzz... Continue uploading soon. ZzZz...

[NaPTuNe]

At the entrance of each Hutong, a person can tell how powerful that family is. If there are 4 wooden "flowers" on the top of the door, it means the masterhead of that famly holds a high rank in the imperial court.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0058-1.jpg

This courtyard has 4 "flowers" on the top of the door. (The blue ones, do you see?)

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0060.jpg

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0052-1.jpg

The masterhead of this courtyard holds a lower ranking post because there's only 2 "flowers" on his door.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0057.jpg

We entered one courtyard and the family grow grapes in the garden.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0054.jpg

A carving at the entrance of one courtyard.

Edited August 27, 2010 by NaP^TuNe

[NaPTuNe]

We came across a mother and her child in one of the hutongs.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0064.jpg

Notice there's a big hole on the pants of the baby around the private area? Its a norm in China for babies to wear such pants. The hole makes it easier for the kid to do his business and also easier for the parent to clean. Some kids wear it even till 3~4years old. Well, that's a culture shock.

 

Check the pics taken of another older kid wearing it. I think he should be around 4 or 5 years old.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/_HMW9207.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/_HMW9208.jpg

 

Yucks, gross. Now lets focus back on the cute baby shall we?

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0066.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/Naptune/DSC_0067.jpg