Off to meet a few 'stans

[StuntPilot]

Great stuff Matt! I have been thinking and reading about the Pamir Highway. Looking forward to your reports! Have fun!

[Matt2matt2002]

Only 1 more sleep then Matt!!

Half a sleep now.
In a Travel lodge a mile from the airport.
Looking at the lights on the runway from the hotel window.
So near, yet so far.

Thanks for good wishes, folks.

Matt

[Matt2matt2002]

Hello from Bishkek folks.

Settled in to a great wee hostel and awaiting the arrival of my 3 travel buddies from Oz.

I thought I'd mention a bike fact.
I did not deflate my tires one bit and they were fine.
The check in guy asked me if I had any inflammable fuel in the bike box and hag deflated the tires.
I truthfully said no.
Well, a half truth.

Just thought I'd mention the pressure issue since it has been discussed in the past on the forum.

Travel buddies should all be here Thurs, visas for Tajikistan on Friday and hit the tarmac Saturday.

Matt

[JimK]

You're on your way! Have you been out exploring on your bike? How's the traffic? The food?

[jags]

stay safe Matt and enjoy

anto

[alfie1952]

Matt,

It sounds as though it was an expedition just getting to the embassy to get your visas. there seems to be a lot of filling stations. As jags says enjoy and stay safe.

Regards.

[Matt2matt2002]

Matt,

It sounds as though it was an expedition just getting to the embassy to get your visas. there seems to be a lot of filling stations. As jags says enjoy and stay safe.

Regards.

Thanks JimK and Jags.
Petrol stations?
Well I guess I thought I'd use them to guide folk. And yes, there are plenty of them.
Traffic? Got to be on your toes here.
Taxi Mimi buses draw in front without a thought.
Drain grids facing the wrong way, to grab your wheels.
Pot holes everywhere. And exhaust pollution is high so try to breath through my nose as much as possible.

But I find drivers pay attention to my waves and eye contact. And a positive attitude plus some assertiveness at times helps.

[Kuba]

Petrol stations?
Well I guess I thought I'd use them to guide folk. And yes, there are plenty of them.

I wonder if you'll see folk selling petrol/diesel from plastic water bottles up in the mountains... That's how petrol stations looked there in 2005. Enjoy the trip!

[jags]

Thanks JimK and Jags.
Petrol stations?
Well I guess I thought I'd use them to guide folk. And yes, there are plenty of them.
Traffic? Got to be on your toes here.
Taxi Mimi buses draw in front without a thought.
Drain grids facing the wrong way, to grab your wheels.
Pot holes everywhere. And exhaust pollution is high so try to breath through my nose as much as possible.

But I find drivers pay attention to my waves and eye contact. And a positive attitude plus some assertiveness at times helps.

Bit like ireland so  mind yourself Matt.

[onrbikes]

I wonder if you'll see folk selling petrol/diesel from plastic water bottles up in the mountains... That's how petrol stations looked there in 2005. Enjoy the trip!

When we needed some we would ask any driver or household. They all had some stashed.

If the price is right it was for sale. Its a good currency there

[Matt2matt2002]

Hello folks.
Your intrepid traveller reporting in after 700 amazing Km.
Check your Google maps. We rode from Bishkek to Osh.
Roads all tarmac so my 2" Shwalbe a slight over-kill but zero punctures.
Other team members on 1.25's and doing well.
One problem we have had is finding good food to eat.
Few fruit around. Oranges like gold dust.
This has sapped our strength and coupled with a few funny tummies, made the distances of 70-90 Km very tough.
Temperatures in 30°+

Local folk very helpful and plenty of hello's.

More to report later.
Please pm me any requests for specific info on this area of the world.
And once again, thanks for all your support.
Matt

[jags]

Your going well Matt pity you didnt bring a box of energy gels along great for   energy  .you'll be as skinny as a rake by the time you get home. dont forget the photos and the odd video  its the only way this kid will see that part of the world.
enjoy and stay safe.


anto.

[Matt2matt2002]

Your going well Matt pity you didnt bring a box of energy gels along great for   energy  .you'll be as skinny as a rake by the time you get home. dont forget the photos and the odd video  its the only way this kid will see that part of the world.
enjoy and stay safe.


anto.

Thanks Anti.
I did back a few energy gels but just about as I'm about to take one I see an even bigger hill ahead, so hold off.
I really will take one soon!
As for being skinny, my belt is already 2 notches tighter.
Any more and I'll have to run around in the shower to get wet.

[jags]

  not a bad complaint Matt makes for getting up those hills easier


anto.

[Matt2matt2002]

All going well here folks.

Have the bike a good check over.

Mudguards may be a problems. Not much clearances with 2+ inch tires.
May have to dump them.

Gave the bike a check over.
Some oil leak, minimal, around the Axel. Not the bit where I top up the oil.

Any thoughts?
Matt