Here Be Elephants

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2010.10.29
Cities: Pu’er to Dadugang
Distance: 49.2 miles
Total Ascent: 2396 feet
Avg Speed: 8.2 MPH

Nice long downhill from Pu’er into a valley followed by a long flat stretch through farmland. In the last 10 miles or so the road climbs about 1200 fet up to Dadugang. All of it is very pretty, quiet traffic, great quality road… just about ideal conditions.

2010.10.30
Cities: Dadugang to Mengyang
Distance: 29.2 miles
Total Ascent: 781 feet
Avg Speed: 8.5 MPH

Mostly downhill route with some small climbs. Still a high quality road with little traffic. The “Wild Elephant Park” is right off the 213 about 15 km before Mengyang. Check out the detailed blog for more information on that.

2010.11.01
Cities: Mengyang to Menglun
Distance: 31.4 miles
Total Ascent: 975 feet
Avg Speed: 9.1 MPH

We left Mengyang on the expressway since it was our only option. At this point the expressway has become a 1 lane highway with a decent shoulder to ride the bike in. After a couple km the old 213 splits off but we decided to give this opportunity to be on the expressway a chance. It’s a decent uphill followed by a very extended downhill which includes a number of tunnels and bridges. One of us disliked the tunnels, the other disliked the bridges… so we’ll skip the expressway from now on. It would get you to Laos faster though if you’re in a hurry and don’t mind the traffic.

2010.11.02
Cities: Menglun to Mengyun
Distance: 32.2 miles
Total Ascent: 2526 feet
Avg Speed: 7.1 MPH

On the old road again for this leg. The road is well maintained and the traffic was light. Very difficult climb up a mountain pretty early on out of Menglun followed by some ups and downs at the top altitude and then a descent into a valley.

2010.11.03
Cities: Mengyun to Mengla
Distance: 26.2 miles
Total Ascent: 2282 feet
Avg Speed: 6.5 MPH

More of the same on the old highway. This time it’s two mountains to cross over to make it to Mengla. The tops of the mountains are both about 3800 foot elevation and it’s a 1200 or so climb to get there. Still a nice road with nearly no traffic. Fewer towns or villages more wilderness.

2010.11.06
Cities: Mengla to Mohan
Distance: 31.5 miles
Total Ascent: 837 feet
Avg Speed: 8 MPH

We couldn’t find the entrance to the old 213 so we ended up on the expressway again. Traffic was lighter, tunnels shorter, all in all not a bad bit of road. However, we were sad not to say goodbye to the old 213. We cycled on it for 700 km.