1.) Chinese Drivers-There are no traffic laws in China. Only suggestions. Crosswalks are meaningless, and so are stop lights. Even police sirens mean nothing. Cab drivers drive around in 5th all day to “save gas”, riding the clutch and even starting in 5th. It makes for some dangerous, yet extremely fun, urban bike riding! Just wear your helmet and don’t forget your body armor.

2.) Doc Helen-Before we left, Helen sent us an email warning us of a Cholera outbreak in one of the cities we were racing in. Last time I heard of cholera, Little Jimmy died while I was playing “Oregon Trail”. Yeah, you guys remember that! Apple IIe, fording rivers, and hunting buffalo… man that was a great game.

3.) Buffet food- If it isn’t straight up food poisoning or cholera that gives us the scoots (the trots, the runs, massive diarrhea, whatever you want to call it), the excessive quantity of oil used in food preparation sends the food on an intestinal roller coaster ride. Either way, it ends up a messy situation. (”WEEEEEEeeeeeeeeee…. BlahhBOOOM!”)

4.) Chinese Airlines- Climbing onto a 737 with extra seats crammed in to accomodate more people, with brittle yellow plastic that breaks when a certain tall American leans too hard, and taking off in 5th gear makes for an interesting and harrowing experience. Kind of like Ryan Air, but way sketchier and on 35 year old planes.