Riding China’s Western Border Route – WBR G219!
Ride Blog
Rides to Date: a RWGPS collection of the rides ive done along the route. I will update every so often https://ridewithgps.com/collections/4480934
Overview:
The WBR (Western Border Ride), encompasses 88 days of epic cycling mostly along or near China’s G219 Highway.
The route follows China’s western border through Guangxi, Yunnan, Tibet & Xinjiang, bordering 12 countries!
The journey follows ancient trade routes, international passes, border towns, high altitude wonders, spiritual mountains, amazing lakes and giant rivers.
I aim to start and finish 2025/2026 with approximately 88 days of riding, covering 10,500km on the bike, with around 100,000m of climbing. Some small parts I’ve covered a few years back but most is undiscovered for me.
A story of slow travel through amazing landscape, trying to fathom China’s complex, remote border regions and the melting of different cultures.
- Days: 88 days riding.
- Road: G219 as much as I can.
- Distance: 10,500KM
- Elevation: 100,000 Meters of climbing
- Peaks over 3000m: 25+
- Peaks above 4000m: 13
- Toughest Section: West Tibet / East Xinjiang
Goals:
Cycle as much of the G219 highway as possible and as allowed. Some detours in Tibet are required.
Self-supported where its possible. A car and guide is required for Tibet.
Meet and interact with the local to understand the complex, dynamic and muticultural sides of the area.
To make a short film about the experience.
A how-to guide so other foreigners (and locals) can follow the route or parts of it.
A trip diary in the form of a vlog.
To raise awareness and support for; MND & responsible travel in China.
Meet my family and friends for some of the journey 🙂
Supporters
specialized.com.cn for my bikes. www.coros.com for my gps navigation, www.rekkiworks.com for my custom luggage. www.wildhomestay.com for my logistics, www.chinabasetravel.com as my Tibet travel partner and www.lululemon.com.cn for my apparel.
