Day 42. Sunday. July 3.

  Taldykorgan  to Sary-Ozek  Bush Camp 26.

Distance:  113 km

Cumulative Distance: 4638 km

Time: 6 hrs 04 min

Speed:  18.5 km/hr

Feet Climbed today: 4125

Cumulative Climb: 93,024  ft 

AHR (Average Heart Rate) 111 bpm

Punctures so far: 2.     

Altitude tonight:  3168 ft.

Cycling through the weekend, we haven't done that since we entered Mongolia at the end of May. Always had a Rest Day on Saturday or Sunday. Nice handy short day in favourable conditions.

Started this morning (had a great sleep last night) back on the super tar-mac road  from the Air Force base into Taldykorgan, right to a major roundabout which featured a sculpture that reminded me of Bru Boru in Cashel. Looks as if it has only been constructed. Wonder will it be maintained. In all the countries so far, many fine parks, public areas, monuments constructed but seems that maintenance isn't factored into the budget. So many are overgrown, tiles broken, unkempt etc.

 Taldykorgan  (pop 123 thousand) also displayed an amount of industry. In Soviet times it was granted third-level institutions, public health and sporting facilities but these have not been developed.

At this roundabout we swung left onto the town bypass and all was very quiet. At 22 km swung left (south west) again onto a brand new surface. Brilliant.

We had been told that roads improved as we approached Almaty. But this only lasted 2 km and then back to alternating good bits and rough gravel (construction). Wind was not a factor today (nor rain), just slight breeze but when trees lined the left hand side it did make a noticeable difference.

 Even at this early hour (6 am) on Sunday morning and traffic was heavy in both directions between 22 and 36 km. At this point we swung left and no more traffic (just 1 car) till after lunch at 75 km. In fact we had turned onto the old main road but it meant we faced into the first major climb of two. The profile shows two climbs of 350m, one before and one after lunch.

That first climb was the steeper of the two and the surface was very acceptable. Again three long steps with gradient hitting 10% for long stretches. I cycled all along here on my own so could dictate my own pace. It was down to the lowest gear and plough on. Met a few wandering dogs on this lonesome road but they offered no threat. I was surprised that on arriving at the various crests I was far from breathless and just faced into the next step. This first climb lasted from 42 km to 65 km where the lunch stop was located. And nobody came in collapsing.

Then a speedy airy descent to meet that new road we had left earlier. From here (75 km) till the end it was smooth recently laid tar-mac. It got even better than that.

For a full 20 km I had the road to myself. All traffic was on the left carriageway; right carriageway still had small sections unfinished  and closed to vehicular traffic. I jumped onto the right-lane expecting to be removed at some stage but workmen along the way kept beckoning me to stay on the right. Fair play to them. Work was continuing in spots and the pair hosing down the new tar-mac roguishly sprayed each of us as we passed.

The second after-lunch climb was along here but gradient was or seemed much more gradual. On this climb I caught up with some of the ’elite’ riders and stayed respectably with them till camp. Grant and I actually went on ahead (when he caught up!) right to the crest looking down on Sary Ozek. Felt good about about spinning along with these and feeling relaxed. Legs must be coming into peak condition at this point!!

All road signs are now for Almaty with the distances falling rapidly from 226 km. Two more short days will get us there, the former capital of Kazakhstan. 

The last few kilometres into camp involved off ramps and flyovers and we're camped here just on the Almaty side of Sary Ozek on rather rough ground and ready for a quick getaway in the morning. Hope weather stays as it is.

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