Riding in Shanghai?

[thegunner]

It's looking like I might be headed over there for an extended stay next year... just wondering if any forumites had ridden / live over there, had any comments on pretty much everything / anything...

what's it like to ride in the crappy air all the time? how do you deal with the insane drivers? how easy is it to get out of the city proper to do some less congested riding?

[zzy]

Forget the pollution, the driving is absolutely insane and traffic lights are just a suggestion. I don't know about outside the city, but my god I was almost killed every day just walking across the street.

[rbtmcardle]

I've had the good fortune of traveling extensively there. I can't say I've had good experiences riding in the Shanghai area or anywhere near the big cities. Its been my experience that cycling is generally about transportation and less about sport or recreation.

It's a great place to visit. Incredible growth and all the struggles that come with it. Pollution is a big problem, I would only drink bottled water.

If I can find the info I'll dig up some of the research I did, though at this point it's about 6 years old.

bob

[thegunner]

aww, that's kind of a bummer, i would probably be in the pudong area (although i highly doubt that makes a difference with regards to traffic).

surely there are people who ride there, i saw a trek store haha

any info would be great!

[firerescuefin]

Originally Posted by thegunner

Shirley there are people who ride there, i saw a trek store haha

There are people that ride there....and don't call me Shirley

[ultraman6970]

Dont forget to bring the 2 tanks of oxygen and a mask

[fkelly]

Here's what the street scene in Shanghai looks like.



Note: Google playing some tricks on my linking to my photos, so hope this shows.

[johnmdesigner]

Shanghai has it's own rhythm like Rome or Naples. Once you find the crest of the wave you cruise. I've ridden a moped and a flying pigeon replica there. No more dangerous there than New York City once you get used to it.
My 80 year old father in law took me for a ride. I couldn't keep up with him.

[fiamme red]

Take up trials riding?

[thegunner]

Originally Posted by johnmdesigner

Shanghai has it's own rhythm like Rome or Naples. Once you find the crest of the wave you cruise. I've ridden a moped and a flying pigeon replica there. No more dangerous there than New York City once you get used to it.
My 80 year old father in law took me for a ride. I couldn't keep up with him.

i've gotten used to NYC, but it just looked so much less regulated when i last went. i'll be picking all of your brains for potential routes (if you know of any!)

[Louis]

Wow, positively healthy air in Shanghai, compared to other places in China...

http://aqicn.org/city/shanghai/

[AustinHorse]

I've been to shanghai twice in 2011; once was specifically to race an alleycat. It was a holiday weekend so the street traffic was more chill than usual, but all told I found it to be no more hectic than your average day in Boston or San Juan. The larger streets were especially chill. I understand the government cracked down on assemblages of foreigners, but when i was there factory 5 was the representative of the nascent fixie scene. given how things evolve, it's worth checking them out now to see if they chose cx or road bikes.