Yet another cyling to tibet post....

i've been invited to join a university cycling club tour to tibet next
summer, starting from lijiang or dali. currently in yunnan with a
work visa and residence permit.

before i start doing the serious research, i was wondering if
anyone here has joined a group of chinese cyclists riding to
tibet (or found that was absolutely verboten).

if so, did that in any way simplify the process? were you able
to forgo the van and guide? would it help if one or two of the
students were tibetan?

Even if you are with a group of Chinese (or Tibetan) cyclists, you will still have to have all of the necessary permits as well as a guide and a private vehicle with a driver. There is no way around having to be part of a tour. Going from Yunnan to Lhasa takes you through several highly restricted prefectures that have multiple checkpoints. A travel agency will have to arrange everything for you.

ok. private vehicle with driver will be easy.....
....that is if i can hire just any zhou blow off the street.
but of course it can't be that easy.
so. looks like i'll be doing some research.
thanks.

Uh, no....it cannot be just any vehicle. You have to have a vehicle from a licensed travel agency accompany you. If you are starting in Yunnan, I would consider contacting Khampa Caravan. They are based in Shangri La and have experience arranging cycling tours to Lhasa.

Keep in mind that this route will not be cheap. The price for permits. tour guide and private vehicle and driver to go with you as you cycle to Lhasa will probably cost between Y25,000 and Y35,000.

actually 25,ooo to 35000 yuan does sound reasonable, for a tailor made cycle trip even , years ago trips like this were costing 20000 ++, per vehicle