The Roller boys, Liu Nan, Wang Sen, Yin Zi Qi and Zhang Zhi, are four friends who had dreams about rollerblading across Xinjiang's Taklamakan Desert. This Nike sponsored web reality series documents their incredible and historic journey. It's a test of not only their physical endurance but also their friendship. (This Skate Journey was held between April 13th and April 22nd in 2006.)
Day 1: The Adventure Begins. The Rollerboys set off from Beijing to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Day 2: I Want To Skate There! From city to snow-capped mountains overnight!
Day 3: Arriving At Urumqi. After crossing the great Gobi Desert, they finally arrive at Urumqi. Day 4: What Happened To Our Train? Scheduled to leave Urumqi station in the evening, the boys' plans are disrupted when the train taking them to Korla failed to show up.
Day 5: Nice View, Bad Stomach! With their train delayed indefinitely, the boys decide to travel to Korla by car. But the drama isn't over yet as Yin Zi Qi comes down with food poisoning. Day 6: Tension The Night Before Wang Sen voices his concerns that it might be dangerous to skate on a highway with speeding trucks. Liu Nan, however, insists on sticking with the plan.
Day 7: Sand In My Lungs Full of enthusiasm, the boys set off. However, a dust storm makes skating conditions on the first day less than ideal. Day 8: Things Will Get Better Second day of skating and everyone is still getting used to the harsh weather, the unevenness of the road surface and strange stares from the locals.
Day 9: The Road Opens Up. Thankfully, the road surface improves and the Rollerboys gratefully speed up. Day 10: Rest And Relax In Lun Tai Today's a rest day. It's a good time to indulge in local culture and proper food. Next town is 500 km away.
Day 11: Enter The Taklamakan Desert. The Tarim Highway crosses the Taklamakan Desert linking the cities Luntai and Minfeng on the northern and southern edges of the Tarim basin. The total length of the highway is 552km; approximately 446km of it cross uninhabited areas covered by shifting sand dunes. Today will be the first time anyone has attempted to rollerblade across it. As if on cue, the Rollerboys roll straight into a photo opportunity. Day 12: The Broken Radio What do you do when you live in the desert and your only source of entertainment is busted?
Day 12: Yin Zi Qi Smacks An Ant. An encounter with an ant unexpectedly brings out a deeper perspective about life. Day 13: Some People Never Get There. A car demolished in an accident leaves a sobering mark of reality in the beautiful desert landscape.
Day 14: The Scenery Never Changes. Physical pain and exhaustion, uphill skating against strong head winds, wild animal attacks and an unchanging landscape. Is the desert finally getting to the Rollerboys? Day 15: The Noisy Generator Last Night. Tempers flare as Wang Sen wants to get an early start, but the others want to sleep in.
Day 16: Bringing Something Back. The last day in the desert and the boys pack sand to bring back as a souvenir of their trip. Day 17: Leaving Something Behind. Before leaving Minfeng town, the Rollerboys buy a radio for the couple in the desert.
黄砂は東アジア内陸部のタクラマラン砂漠から飛来するとも言われる。そんな砂漠を横断したスケーター達の記録ビデオがYouTubeにアップされました。いやー、小石ゴロゴロした路面を滑る、2006年4月13日から4月22日の凄い Skate Journey です。
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