EP7 | No-Man’s-Land Debrief: Why Turning Back Was the Smartest Move

Motorcycle Adventure Tour
12 followers
May 21, 2026
After choosing to turn back in Qiangtang’s no-man’s-land, I thread ice rivers and soft riverbed sand to get out safely. This episode breaks down the decision, the techniques that kept the 400-kg bike upright, and what I’d change next time—because surviving the mountains is part of riding them.
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Video Summary
AI GeneratedA motorcyclist struggles through the grueling terrain of the Changtang no-man's land, battling soft sand, slippery glaciers, and extreme fatigue. Despite the physical toll and the decision to abandon the full crossing, the rider grapples with deep emotional regret and the weight of months of preparation while pushing toward safety.
Yeah, I tried my best.
For rivers like this, there are countless wider ones
and countless smaller ones. But this kind of
sand and dirt road are too hard to walk. The motorcycle is not easy to walk. It is too heavy.
I have to control balance every meter. This 1,000 kilometers. How to walk more than 1,000 kilometers?
Let's talk about it when we have a chance. Driving is also okay. There is no load on the car.
It would be much better in the past. It's too heavy. You can follow a support vehicle.
Otherwise, there's no way. There's still a long way back.
Although I decided to give up crossing the Changtang no man's land,
but there are still over 100 kilometers to go. This soft and irregular riverbank road
makes my arms sore and miserable, but I could only grit my teeth and hold on.
If I go another 200 kilometers north, the Bamachanzon crater is approaching the end of life.
But if I wanted to turn back then, it would be too late.
Almost fell. It didn't fall. Wow.
Wow. So tired. Here again. A few days I haven't seen a single person or a car.
When I stopped in front of the glacier to observe, there was another height difference
under my feet. Fortunately, I reacted in time. Soul didn't reverse like just now.
This height difference. My feet can't reach the ground. The ice surface. I'll be cold again.
If I go that way, it will be. I think it's a third shorter. The ice is too slippery. Let's go.
That place seems a little thin. It might sink in.
I'd rather go slower, slower and slower than to reverse. The ice is starting to crack.
The ice under my feet has cracked, but it should be able to go.
Just. I dare not step on the accelerator. I can only go slowly. This. This is so disgusting.
It's a little better with water. I really don't dare to reverse on the ice.
It's too hard to get up if I fall. Oh no, it's going to fall. It's slipping. It's like skating
and it's at an angle of the ice. I didn't move it much. It will slowly and slowly slide and yaw.
Mainly because I don't want to fall. The car is too heavy.
The car is light. It will still slip, but it's easier to pick it up when it falls.
It would be better if there was a layer of snow on it. It's just a little less easy.
It slips. I want to change to a rainy mode.
There's still a little bit left. Actually, this is the hardest part because my car is tilted.
Come down. Adjust the front of the car. The slope over there is gentler. Once there is resistance
here, your rear wheel has no grip. It can't go up. If the rear wheel slips, you will fall.
There's too much luggage. You can't even turn the front of the car to be honest.
So tired and hypoxic. Okay, change the mode. Rally mode. Enough. There's more sand again.
Hard sand is not afraid. If the sand is soft and thick, the car will be too heavy.
This seems to be where I camp. Let me check the ice first. It's thick. It's a bit slippery.
Where is relatively less slippery? It's a little less slippery over there.
I can't stop. I dare not stop. That's a lot easier. Uphill. Lower the TC. Ready to climb.
My eyes became dull and my heart was filled with regret for giving up the crossing.
No one can understand my feelings. How many chances are there to cross the no-man's land?
How many times in life? For this crossing of Chiang Tang, I have been preparing for more than half a
year. The time, energy and money I invested are all. I even made the worst plan. Although the
process is equally important, but I'm really unwilling to give up like this. The afterglow
of the setting sun is more dazzling than ever. It wrapped me up without reservation. I was in a
daze for a moment, and suddenly the bitterness in my heart burst out. My body couldn't help but
start sobbing. It was only two seconds. I still managed to hold back, because I still have a long
way to go. I am from Fujian. Must get the Fujian card KTM 890 ADV R version.
This fog is so hard to walk through. It's raining enough tonight.
In harmony, dreams come true. Let's go.
Feel the galaxy flying in our bones. Feel the sea of heaven to glide.
In this place where time cannot stop, we will be free forever.
Beyond the veil, where the end falls apart, where peace is capable,
there we will build our eternity, with ties of pure happiness.
And if the universe is our altar, I promise you,
on this journey, never-ending, immortal we will be.
Immortal we will be. Immortal we will be.
I'm going there, where there is no end. Come with me, we are immortal.
We are star like a star across the cosmos. In harmony, dreams come true.
Let's go through the galaxy flying in our bones. Feel the sea of heaven to glide.
In this place where time cannot stop, we will be free forever.
I'm going there, where there is no end. Come with me, we are immortal.
We are star like a star across the cosmos. In harmony, dreams come true.
Let's go through the galaxy flying in our bones. Feel the sea of heaven to glide.
Beyond the veil, where the end falls apart, where peace is capable,
there we will build our eternity, with ties of pure happiness.
