Day 51 May 30 Wed - Turpan to Da bancheng

Today's Distance:106km
Today's Temp: 25-36C
Average Speed:12.4 max:38
Time on Bike:8 hr 36 min
Ave climb:1% max: 22%
Trip altitude:1196m max:1079m
Today's spending:51.0 rmb
Total Distance to date:3593km
Total spending to date:3280 rmb

We started 1.5 hour late than normal at 10 am .After a light breakfast of 4 beef buns (2 rmb)and 2 boiled eggs(1.2rmb),we set off to our target of Da bancheng which is about 100km. Fine weather with bright sunlight,blue sky.From a lowland of negative 17,we are heading to mountains again,the climbs continue gradually and soon reaches max. 1079m. We again forced into taking the highway but couldn't gain speed due to climbing and the wind is not helping either.The highway runs in a valley between steep mountains and occasionally you can spot clear river stream fast flowing.About 5 km before the town of Da bancheng is the ancient fort turned into a tourist spot, we had to removed our side panniers to push our bike thru' a small gap from the highway to the side road in order to have a look in this ancient fort,there were no other tourist except two of us, the receptionist wanted to give a 50% discount of 30 rmb entrance fee , but at 6.30pm we were tired and wanted to rest so we declined and continued our ride. By 8.00pm we rides into town,a small town only with 2 rows of shop,difficult to find accomodation,turned down by one guesthouse when she saw Heather and another one was told no more in business,Continued hunting until end of the town and turned back to the one I saw near the Bus station when rode in.We were finally allow to stay for 30 rmb each but not until the receiptionist had to called in the Police to verify our documents and photocopied.What a hassle!!!!