Day 34. Thursday June. 23.

 Charysh River to Rubtsovsk Bush Camp 20.

Distance:  159 km

Cumulative Distance: 3509 km

Time: 7 hrs 16 min

Speed:  21.9 km/hr

Feet Climbed today: 3000

Cumulative Climb: 74,098  ft 

AHR (Average Heart Rate) 108 bpm

Punctures so far: 2.     

Altitude tonight: 750 ft

Last evening with the wind blowing, the mosquitoes weren't too aggressive, but this morning all was calmer and more dangerous. People took their breakfast and ate it walking about...on the go. They left as soon as possible and regrouped up on the road where all was more relaxed.

Today is our last full day in Russia and we’ve seen a variety of scenery since we entered two weeks ago. The first town of  Krasnaschiokovo at 3 km has adopted the Mongolian custom of a city gate.

Today was a rolling day with most of the work in the morning. The first crest was reached at 17 km and from the top a road stretched ahead for 9.8 km. Wind was almost non-existent at this point and it passed quickly.

Big point of interest today was the town of Kurya at 40 km which is the birthplace of Kalashnikov (1919 - 2013). We hoped to see some of his prototypes in the museum dedicated to his memory in the centre of town but shortly after 7am was a little early to expect it open.

Here in Kurya I saved a group from going astray. A bit out the road I raised the possibility that we had missed a turn. Some insisted we had taken the turn. But, we returned to the centre of town (beside the museum) and then spotted the orange tape pointing in a different direction onto the K09. I had been right......naturally!

The road rose and fell but at 53 km a headwind rose up to punish us. It made it difficult to maintain even a speed of 14 km/hr. This remained so till lunch at 80 km. An interesting lake had been mentioned as a possible place to visit but due to the wind no one opted to go there.

I decided to take a break at 70 km and headed into a shop for a bit of refreshment and succeeded in picking up some Mosquito Spray as well. Good decision.

Approaching lunch stop on top of a plateau many unusual rock formations cropped up, some similiar to an eagle. The lunch stop marked a change of direction (from south east to west) and the formerly headwind now assisted progress. Before leaving lunch, Mike (NZ) had a plan in case he met any more climbs along the way.

From this 80 km mark all was plain sailing till the end except for the odd sharp rise. From 100 to 120 km we were on that part of the road used by mining trucks drawing from the mine to the production site and returning. Most pulled out a bit as they passed but some insisted on keeping their line and their swish (if unexpected) could blow one onto the gravel. With the mirror, I could see them coming but still it made things a bit uncomfortable.

Another item mentioned on today's directions was a Great Patriotic War Memorial. When I arrived there it looked somewhat unkempt and less than glorious.

Our campsite tonight is on the banks of the Alan river almost in the centre of Rubtsovsk and again those little fellows are here to annoy us. But, I’m prepared (the staff have also supplied amounts of spray for everyone for the first time). Had a refreshing swim in the river before dinner.

Early start in the morning at 5 am (due to the border crossing) so the alarm sounds at 4. Time to call it a day and hit the sack.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.