Choose a brand bicycle around 2000 RMB, such as Giant's ATX770 and Merida's Duke 650. These bikes are reliable, offer good value for money, are widely used by cyclists, and have many repair points and easily available parts along the way.

Mine is an ATX690, costing 1725 RMB, without a fork lockout feature...
It loses power when climbing long, steep slopes, wasting some energy,
(but I don’t mind—it’s all about getting exercise anyway.)
(*On the Yunnan-Tibet Highway, I met a young man from Wenzhou who rode a regular 380 RMB bike all the way to Tibet. So the price or performance of the bike isn’t the main thing. Fellow cyclists often say, “How fast you go mainly depends on your engine,” meaning it’s mostly about physical strength and willpower.)

In short: “There’s no bike you can’t ride, only people who can’t make it.”
If you plan to hitch rides often during the trip, you might also consider a folding bike for easier carrying.
(2) Essential Equipment

A cycling helmet, cycling gloves, a flashlight, and a taillight are essential. Once you’re on the bike, you must wear the helmet and gloves—no excuses.
(3) Other Equipment

Choose a steel rack for your bike; aluminum racks are more likely to break from long-distance bumps.
(Currently, disc brake bikes don’t come with steel racks, so overall, V-brakes are the better choice.)
Choose a high-quality, sturdy, waterproof saddlebag. A good one can save you a lot of trouble, especially on rainy days. Don’t get one that’s too wide—it creates a lot of wind resistance and is uncomfortable.

Next time, I’ll go with a motorcycle fuel tank bag, or just use a backpack and lay it flat on the rack. Traveling light reduces wind resistance, makes it easier to walk around hotels or shops, and is the most convenient.
Cycling glasses are highly recommended—very useful in strong winds, blinding sunlight, or evenings when bugs are flying everywhere. Otherwise, they’re optional.

Get two magic scarves. They’re great for keeping your knees warm and blocking wind on cold, windy days.

A compact camera is enough. DSLRs are a hassle to take in and out, while compact cameras let you shoot quickly while riding—capturing fleeting scenery without slowing you down.

For bike tools, bring a pump, chain lube, tire repair kit, and a small multi-tool wrench set.

As for spare parts, just bring one extra inner tube and a pair of brake pads. No need for a chain tool, brake or gear cables—they rarely break. I rode 6600 km and never had any issues with those.
Camping gear is not recommended—you won’t use it much, it adds wind resistance, and camping brings challenges like charging, showering, safety, and most importantly, poor rest.

Most roadside guesthouses cost only 20–30 RMB, so staying in them is generally the better option.
You don’t need a dedicated GPS—its use is limited. National roads have clear mile markers, making it hard to get lost. In cities, just ask locals for directions.

Also, most smartphones now have GPS. But even if you have GPS, it’s still best to ask locals—you don’t want to take a wrong turn and ruin your mood.
If you want to record your own GPS route as a souvenir, there are small specialized GPS track recorders for sale online.
If you have lots of devices to charge, bring a power strip—most hotel rooms only have one outlet.

A lightweight hairdryer is very useful, especially in Tibet where it rains often and the weather changes rapidly. Shoes, socks, gloves, and clothes can easily get soaked.

At night, you can quickly dry your clothes in the guesthouse, which also means you can carry fewer spare clothes.
After checking in for the night, you can use it to quickly dry your clothes, which also helps reduce the need to bring too many extra outfits.

Choose metal cup holders; plastic ones lack sufficient tension, and cups can easily fall out when going downhill over bumps.
It’s recommended to use space cups, which allow you to refill with hot water directly at inns or restaurants along the way, saving money on bottled water.
Opt for ones with a small push-button opening so you can drink with one hand without needing to stop.
You can bring two space cups: a smaller one mounted on the bike and a larger one stored in the luggage bag.

It’s advisable to install handlebar extensions to reduce hand fatigue—I personally couldn’t take the strain throughout the journey.

I bought a speedometer online for 17 yuan, and it works fine, but on rainy days, cover it with a plastic bag to keep it dry.

Small MP3 speakers are available online, usually around 100 yuan.
(A fellow rider suggested covering it with a condom in the rain—I can only say, riders are really creative!)

A bike bell is optional. Mine was bought at a Woerma supermarket and comes with a small compass, which is quite practical, though the compass becomes inaccurate if the speaker is placed nearby.

In short, pack as lightly as possible—traveling light makes the journey more enjoyable and carefree.

II. About Trip Preparation
Generally, common routes have route guides that can be found online, but road conditions change significantly each year, so it’s best to ask around during the trip.

Buy maps that indicate the kilometer markers for each road section, and try to get single sheets to reduce weight.

If you plan to visit many places, prioritize them in advance and decide on an order so that even if you have to cut the trip short for any reason, you won’t have regrets.

Open a postal savings account at home, as many places along the way may not have banks, only post offices. Don’t carry large amounts of cash; it’s also best to have family members deposit money into your card in installments.

In terms of expenses, if you choose the most economical options for food and lodging, the average daily cost is about 80 yuan (2011 data).
Overall, you can budget about one yuan per kilometer for long-distance cycling (2011 data).

Bring all necessary documents, and it’s best to include your passport—even if you didn’t plan to go abroad, unexpected opportunities might arise.
That’s exactly what happened to me—I hadn’t planned to go abroad, but after getting inspired by fellow riders in Lhasa, I changed my route on the spot and felt the experience was very rewarding. Note: Store important documents like your passport in a plastic or waterproof bag to avoid getting them wet.

When looking for riding companions online, success rates aren’t high—many people back out at the last minute, so be prepared. For popular routes like Tibet or Hainan Island loops, just setting off and finding people along the way works too.
Alternatively, you might meet fellow riders at local bike shops or traveler hostels.

If you’re not very familiar with your travel companions, agree in advance on the route, schedule, accommodation, and food standards to avoid disagreements that could affect the mood.

It’s best to sign an agreement with your travel companions, including essentials such as voluntary participation, self-responsibility for risks, and a commitment to provide assistance within one’s ability in case of emergencies.

Travel insurance is available online—it’s best to buy from a reliable source. Some say it’s better to purchase directly from an insurance company. I bought mine online, and luckily, it wasn’t needed, so I can’t say which is truly better—ha ha.

For cycling, it’s generally better to wear a two-piece raincoat—it has less wind resistance and offers good waterproofing, but it’s a bit troublesome to put on and take off. Also, because it’s not breathable, your clothes underneath can still get sweaty and damp.
Rain ponchos aren’t as effective against rain but are more convenient and are another option. Besides, in heavy rain, it’s usually better to seek shelter.
I brought a two-piece raincoat this time, but next time I’ll go with a poncho.

For traveling to Tibet, it’s recommended to use two fleece jackets instead of a windbreaker. Windbreakers are bulky, heavy, used infrequently, and often not very effective. In strong winds and cold weather on steep descents, you can wear a raincoat over the fleece jacket, which is sufficient.

For shoes, lightweight sneakers or casual shoes are fine—you don’t need waterproof hiking boots. The effort isn’t worth it; you might as well bring a hairdryer. I even saw experienced long-distance riders wearing just flip-flops or sandals.

For medications, consider your personal health. If you rarely take medicine, just bring basics like cold, diarrhea, pain relief, and allergy meds, as you can buy medicine anywhere along the way.

III. Road Safety Tips and Personal Advice
Always follow laws and regulations during your trip, and respect local customs and traditions.

Try to avoid topics such as politics, religion, ethnicity, regional discrimination, or discussions about personal wealth or status.

Never drink alcohol while riding. Even if you drink at night, keep it under control. Even if you’re not drunk, a drunk riding companion can be a big problem because you’ll have to take care of them — unlike at home where everyone just goes their separate ways after the gathering.

Sharing meals and accommodation with companions on the road saves money. It’s best to split costs evenly (AA system), paying individually and settling up on the spot. This is the most efficient and hassle-free method.

When riding on rough roads like washboard surfaces, your bike is more prone to damage. Check that screws on the rack and other parts are tight (I actually had two rack screws come loose from the bumps).

You can buy some long, thin plastic bags from supermarkets. Wear them over your socks on rainy days — this way, your shoes get wet but your socks and feet stay dry. Among all the rain protection methods, I think this one works the best.

At night, try to bring your bike into the room. Choose a room on a lower floor, or if you leave it in the lobby, make sure it’s locked. Although it probably won’t be stolen, someone might ride it around or small parts like the taillight or computer could go missing.
Try not to let curious people ride your bike, as they don’t know how to handle it properly, which can damage the bike. You also won’t feel at ease letting a stranger ride it. If they crash and damage the bike or hurt themselves, it could be quite troublesome.

Also, try to avoid rooms next to the main road — it can get very noisy at night.
Try not to stay at inns with mahjong machines in the lobby, as people often play late into the night.

If you’re cycling solo, choose quiet spots to rest, eat, or repair your bike and tires to avoid drawing crowds of curious onlookers.

You can usually bargain when it comes to meals, accommodation, etc. — consider it good practice for haggling.
Many small restaurants and food stalls in the south don’t have menus, so bargaining becomes especially important.
Generally, my fellow riders and I tell the vendor: “I want to eat enough for 10 yuan, and it must include meat and vegetables. You decide.” Depending on the local price level, sometimes we offer 15 yuan.
(Once in Guangxi, after we finished eating and the owner calculated the bill, both the boss and the boss’s wife almost cried — they lost so much money!)

Most restaurants provide boiled water. Refill your water bottle after eating to save on buying drinks. Fill up your bottles at your inn before setting off.

Long-distance cycling consumes a lot of energy. Choose rice as your main staple and make sure to eat your fill.


About Bicycle Shipping

On the road, I’ve used both China Railway Express and courier services to ship my bike — neither is very expensive.

China Railway Express shipped my bike from Tangshan to Guangzhou for 140 yuan, and the bike arrived with no damage.
(I wrapped the front and rear derailleurs in rags, and didn’t lock the bike so staff could push it easily — avoiding rough handling.)

A courier shipped my bike from Lhasa to Dalian for 150 yuan, but the rear derailleur was bent and some gears stopped working.
(The shop in Lhasa packed it for me. Nationwide, packing services cost between 100–150 yuan, but the rear derailleur still got compressed and deformed.)

Of course, you can also pack the bike yourself and bring it on the train to avoid damage during shipping and save on shipping fees, but there are two downsides:
First, some trains may discover it and ask you to complete shipping procedures. After weighing, it may still cost over 100 yuan, and you’ll have to carry it yourself.
Second, carrying it is inconvenient and may affect your mood during the trip.

Currently, there are no fixed rules for bringing a bike on long-distance buses. Some allow it for free, but the most expensive option is charging the full ticket price. Be sincere when bargaining — the most I’ve paid is 30 yuan. The key to bargaining is to win the driver’s sympathy; ultimately, it’s up to the driver.
Some long-distance buses have two drivers. Start by talking to the nicer-looking one — the other will usually go along. But you still need to be discreet and tactful.

(Tip: The key to bargaining is to make the driver mentally separate you from regular tourists who are spending money. You get the idea.)


About Cycling to Tibet
The best time to cycle to Tibet is from June to September; temperatures on the plateau are low during other months. Among these, July and August are school holidays, so it gets very crowded, and accommodation and food along the way may be in shorter supply.

When going to Tibet, vegetables and fruits along the road are quite expensive, so bring some multivitamin tablets, and also pack some calcium tablets.
Buy a bag of glucose powder, put it in an empty mineral water bottle, and pour it into your cup to drink at high altitudes—it seems quite helpful, though it might just be a placebo effect.
As for oxygen canisters, I don’t think they’re necessary because cycling is slow, allowing you to gradually adapt to the altitude. I haven’t tried Rhodiola or Red Bull, so I can’t comment on those.
Of course, if you do experience altitude sickness, make sure to rest, and descend promptly if needed.

Some sections of the road have no restaurants or shops, so bring your own food and water.

Get some throat lozenges to help relieve fatigue and prevent sore throats that could lead to colds—they’re very useful on the way to Tibet.
Sharing a lozenge with a fellow cyclist works just as well as offering a cigarette—maybe even better{:1_1:}.

Pay attention to your cycling rhythm along the way; don’t compete with others in speed or stamina. As long as it’s a destination listed in your route plan, most people can reach it.

If you start showing signs of a cold, take medicine promptly. Even if you do catch a cold, there’s no need to panic—both my cycling friends and I got colds, and it wasn’t a big deal. If you really can’t go on, take a rest day.

If you don’t take a rest day the next day, try not to drink alcohol the night before, especially strong liquor.

In short, cycling to Tibet isn’t as daunting as it seems. In my opinion, anyone who can handle long-distance cycling can make it to Tibet.

IV. About Cycling Safety
Always wear a helmet and gloves, and stay focused while cycling.

When going downhill, control your speed, especially slowing down before turns—braking on curves can easily cause falls. Don’t follow other cyclists too closely.

Turn on your bike light before entering tunnels.

Try to avoid cycling at night—it’s dangerous and easy to get lost, and there’s no one to ask for directions. If you must cycle at night, bring a flashlight, keep a safe distance from your companions, but not too far apart.
Try to stick to routes that other cyclists have taken. When crossing bridges, don’t ride too close to the edge and slow down to avoid falling into the river.

If you encounter unpleasant situations, your first principle should be to disengage—don’t argue with others, and definitely don’t fight.
If you’re robbed, give up your valuables to save your life. (Bike thieves targeting cyclists are extremely rare, so there’s no need to worry.)

If locals shout something in a dialect you don’t understand, smile and keep going.

There are three more tips that aren’t essential—I usually don’t use them, but I’ll list them anyway:
If someone asks how much your bike costs, say a friend gave it to you after they were done with it (implying you can’t afford a new one and are not wealthy);
If someone asks where you’re from, say the last stop you came from, preferably somewhere nearby (implying you live close by);
If someone asks if you’re cycling alone, say you have a few friends following and they’ll catch up soon (implying you’re not alone and backup is coming);


Dog Protection

I brought pepper spray but never had to use it.

I’ve had dogs suddenly chase my bike, but after getting off and standing my ground, they backed off—humans are about 30% scared of dogs, but dogs are about 70% scared of humans.

You’re very unlikely to encounter the legendary Tibetan Mastiffs—purebred ones cost millions, and their owners guard them more carefully than their wives—you’d never even get close.

If a dog chases you, running wildly will only excite it more.


V. About Asking for Directions
The effectiveness of asking different people for directions is as follows:
1. Fellow cyclists (of course, you don’t often meet them, or rather, rarely meet them)
2. Motorcycle taxi drivers
3. Elderly people who are neatly and cleanly dressed (elderly people are usually locals, and those who dress neatly are often former public officials—experienced, clear-minded, able to quickly understand your question and explain things clearly)
4. Truck drivers or the owners of inns and restaurants
5. Traffic police (many traffic police are from other places or rarely travel far, but they’re generally reliable)

Notes:
1. Try not to ask women for directions. With so much media coverage about scammers these days, most people will pretend not to hear you or ignore you. Also, the directions they give are often wrong. (The exception is vendors by national roads, but even they are clearly not as reliable as men)
2. Don’t ask for directions while holding a map—that way, people will just point on the map, which is useless.

If you doubt the roads shown on a map or GPS, it’s best to ask someone before setting off.
VI. Other Insights
Take lots of photos along the way. I took over 300 in a single day at most, and still felt I didn’t take enough when I got home.
Taking photos requires slowing down, stopping, and taking out and putting away your camera—it wastes a lot of time, energy, and patience.
You can follow this photography principle: if a scene or view feels “special” to you, take a picture of it.
This “special” refers to something magnificent, beautiful, funny, touching, scary, etc.
On the contrary, when you actually reach a scenic spot, there are usually plenty of photos online or from other cyclists, so you don’t need to take as many.

It’s best to dress simply and keep a low profile on the road. In terms of food, lodging, transportation, and other needs, most shop owners will give you the lowest price and treat you differently from regular tourists.

Fellow cyclists and experiences along the way are treasures—cherish them.

Finally,
long-distance cycling isn’t mysterious at all.
Just get on your bike and hit the road—it’s that simple.
Every road has an end, and a long journey is just the uninterrupted repetition of the first day—just get on the road.