Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)

- Ride Tales (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ride-tales/)

- - China ADV Riding (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ride-tales/china-adv-riding-71234)

Until recently “Hainan Chicken,” a culinary specialty famous all over Asia, was Wenchang’s only claim to fame. However, this once small sleepy coastal city, located on Hainan Island’s east coast, is awakening. It is now the future home of China’s growing space program.

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (WSLC), located in Wenchang, Hainan, China, is a former sub-orbital test center. It is China's fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport). It has been specially selected for its low latitude, which is only 19 degrees north of the equator, which will allow for a substantial increase in payload, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift Long March 5 booster currently under development.
Unlike the space centers on the mainland whose rail tracks are too narrow to transport the new five meter core boosters, Wenchang will use its sea port for deliveries. Initial launches of the CZ-5 booster from Wenchang were, as of early 2008, expected in 2014, one year after the intended commissioning of the Wenchang Centre. Now it's already shifted to 2016 or even later - during 2017-2018. The CZ-5B (max payload to LEO) variant will fly around 2018. But CZ-5 carrier rocket was already shipped from North China's Tianjin port at 20 September 2015 for a rehearsal (some drills carried out on the launch pad that involves both the carrier rocket and a probe) of a scheduled Chang'e-5 lunar mission planned around 2017.

Boldly enquired about availability of space flight tickets at the entrance gate ~ but no luck, was told no pictures and after being escorted of the Tonggu Ridge mountain top by navy soldiers earlier that day refrained from serious picture taking...

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Wenchang Chicken is known throughout the province of Hainan. The most traditional way to prepare Wenchang Chicken is "white cutting", which involves immersing the chicken in almost boiling hot water and cooked to preserve its softness and tenderness. It is then eaten by dipping the pieces in a mixture of spices including chopped ginger and salt. The skin of Wenchang chicken is typically yellow, with an oily appearance, although the meat is somewhat drier and has more texture than battery chickens. This dish is also popular in mainland China, in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Southeast Asian countries named mostly = Hainanese Chicken Rice.

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Great Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe = http://steamykitchen.com/5068-hainan...cken-rice.html

Yalong Bay along the coast to the mountain top overlooking the famous and always busy Nanshan Temple (literally: "South mountain temple") is a Buddhist temple located in Sanya, Hainan province, China.
The temple's name originates from a popular Buddhist expression (literally: "Good fortune is much as the East Sea; longevity is high as Nanshan").
Situated 40k's from Sanya City, Hainan Province, the Nanshan Temple ranks as one of the attractions in the Nanshan Culture Tourism Zone. Occupying an area of 400 mu (66 acres), it is the biggest Buddhist preaching site established since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

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WINTER 2015 "Shakedown Run" Southern China ~ very good times once again, really pleasant weather with balmy water for a surf or relaxed swim, skateboarding, solid great mountain and off-road riding, lets not forget outstanding very tasty and well prepared food.

Nothing comes close to that sensation of the tropical wind in your face, the million smells, the sh*t you've gotta dodge -- dogs, goats, buffalo, kids, scooters, trucks, spilled diesel and oil on the best curves, escaping coconuts, man-eating potholes -- I miss it all already ~ definitely will be back for some more Hainan Island cruising in the future...

The RELAXED WAY HOME from Hainan Island to Shanghai through different provinces with a bike cruising and exploring day at Mao-Town = Shaoshan....

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Shaoshan (Sháoshān) is a county-level city in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, noted as the birthplace of Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China. Shaoshan was an important base during the Chinese Communist Revolution.
Shaoshan, peviously known by many names including Qidu, Xi township and Qingtian, was a small farming town in records dating back to the early Qing Dynasty. Mao Zedong, later to be known as Chairman Mao was born in a farming house there on December 26, 1893 to a wealthy farming family.
He left the city in his early years but came back as leader for a week in 1966 to hold a conference in the purpose-built facility at Water Dripping Cave. Since Mao's death, Shaoshan has become a destination of pilgrimage to visit the roots of the defining figure of 20th Century Chinese history, and in turn those of the Communist Party.

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Mao Zedong's Former Residence was built in the late Qing Dynasty. It is located in Shaoshan Village of Shaoshan township in Shaoshan City, Xiangtan prefecture, Hunan Province, China. The building was the birthplace and childhood home of Mao Zedong, the first leader of the People's Republic of China.

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Chairman Mao memorabilia is available all over Shaoshan and villagers are cashing in by selling Mao memorabilia in form of key rings, paintings, snow globes and bronze busts

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Enjoying some excellent famous Chairman Mao’s Red-Braised Pork (Mao Shi Hong Shao Rou). Red-braised pork is a dish that in Hunan is inseparably bound up with the memory of Chairman Mao: many restaurants call it “The Mao Family’s red-braised pork.” Mao Zedong loved it, and insisted his Hunanese chefs cook it for him in Beijing. It’s a robust concoction, best eaten with plain steamed rice and simple stir-fried vegetables; the sweet, aromatic chunks of meat are irresistible.

There are several restaurants in the area boasting some of Chairman Mao's favourite foods- spicy pork and smelly tofu. However, it is important to note that these cater largely for domestic tourists, so you will be lucky to find a restaurant with a picture menu, let alone one in English.
Hunan cuisine is famously hot, so if you don't want adish red in colour from all the chili, its best to make it clear beforehand.

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Anyways, saying it once again ~ enjoyed the entire Winter 2015 "Shakedown Run" around greater Yangshuo (Guangxi) and Hainan Island ~ ready to tackle more adventures in the years to come.
Before I forget, the Sanya "Moonshine" Rum made it home all the way to Shanghai without any breakage or spillage.... cheers!!!!

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Well ~ the lovely internet and peoples opinions on public forums as the "How great is my new XxxX bike?" thread will go 200+ pages of complete newbies and know-it-all-and-better types talking about how much better their all new bike is compared to the old models.
Smoother, faster, somehow "tighter", less prone to failures, completely new, reliable beyond doubt. The greatest motorbike ever built. You can do practically anything on one. They will base all this on the 5 miles of dirt road they rode the day after they bought the new XxxX bike..

Got one of the proven and reliable ones again. Long story short ~ Halloween Day 2015, arrival of the "Evil Twin" BMW F8GS 2015 (supplied via BMW Motorrad Shanghai: F8GS bikes are assembled in Thailand BMW Factory for the Asian market) and the bike made a great starting base for a custom dual sport bike to my personal preferences. This is my second F8GS owned (first in ML China) and looking forward to some interesting and extensive cruising around the motherland after the recent extensive "Shakedown Run" in South China provinces was completed.

The TBR team took a professional approach again and modified the standard 2015 F8GS. Solid bike modifications, not performance enhancing wise. BMW F8GS "TBR Rally-Twin", no need for scenery blurring tear inducing grunt propelling you from corner to corner like an enraged gorilla on a coke fuelled bender accompanied by the growl of a good ol' L-twin unleashing angry ponies by the dozens...no. Nothing like that but the F8GS will do all the riding I will ask for ~ pretty sure....

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The low suspension bike was brought back to standard bike height with a BMW Comfort seat, Wilbers Suspension (front / rear) imported from Germany http://www.wilbers-shop.de build to my personal specs (weight / riding style) and BMW front fork dampers installed to replace the shorter ones.

Wilbers Rear Shock Type 641 Competition (adjustable / custom specification)
http://www.wilbers-shop.de/en/Motorc...43e185ffc977a2

Wilbers Fork Spring Progressive (custom specification)
http://www.wilbers-shop.de/en/Motorc...43e185ffc977a2

During the rear shock replacement installed some special custom hardware (olite bushings, spacers, 12.9 bolts, etc.) to the adjustable Wilbers rear shock to eliminate the bend rear frame syndrome the earlier F8GS generation was known for going hardcore off-roading fully loaded up. Easy as while having the bikes in pieces and cheap insurance and no worries later on....

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Finished some simple modifications as per list below but for sure its a never-ending story as usual with TBR motorbikes....

ADV-SPEC / UK = http://www.adventure-spec.com
Alloy Bashplate

ALTRIDER/ USA = http://www.altrider.com
Chain Guard, Rear Brake Master Cylinder Guard. Rear Exhaust Guard, Radiator Guard, Universal Exhaust Header Guard, Rear Brake Reservoir Guard, Luggage Rack, Side Stand Foot Plate.

TOURATECH / GERMANY = http://www.touratech.com.au
Adjustable Gear Lever, Adjustable Brake Lever (rear), ABS Sensor Protection, Radiator Bracket, Brake Fluid Reservoir Guard, Footpads, Pinion Gear (Sprocket) Guard.

CLEARWATER LED LIGHTS / USA = https://www.clearwaterlights.com
Darla LED Light Kit

HEPCO & BECKER / GERMANY = http://motorrad.hepco-becker.de/index.php/en
Lock-It Side Carrier, Centre Stand Kit, Engine Crash Guards, Tank Guard, Headlight Guard Kit

BARKBUSTERS / AUSTRALIA = http://www.barkbusters.net
Hand Guards

BRITANNIA COMPOSITES / CANADA = http://www.britanniacomposites.com
Mirage 2 Fairing (added a Powerlet Socket and Garmin Cradle)

MachineartMoto = http://machineartmoto.com
MudSling (rear fender extender)

DOUBLETAKE MIRRORS / USA = https://www.doubletakemirror.com
Mirrors (folding)

MSC PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA = https://www.rallemoto.com
Steering Damper

METZELER TIRES = http://www.metzeler.com
Metzeler Karoo 3 Tires

ROTOPAX = http://www.rotopax.com
Fuel Pack (1 gal.) with lockable mount

Alpina Wheels = http://www.alpinaraggi.it
Front / Rear Wheel Set (tubeless)

Two important final pieces of the F8GS puzzle arrived shortly after the 2015 Chinese New Year public holidays and just installed with Metzeler Karoo 3 = ALPINA tubeless wheels... rock & ride on ~ keep on pluggin' them tyres....nuff said'....

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