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| All cheers at the end of the ride...nobody fell! |
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| Sue and Dima outside Suuslodge |
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| Packing up, with Ivan at the rear |
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| We found a way to secure the helmets! |
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| Beautiful grassland |
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| In summer, the sun melts the snow on the mountains resulting in choked rivers |
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| A little hamlet |
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| A little hamlet |
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| Grave of a past warrior |
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| Kokemeren River |
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| The Mighty Kokemeren |
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| Striking a pose! |
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| Lunch hosted by a local family |
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| Suspension bridge less than 200m from our local host at Kyzyl Oi |
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| It was moving with the rapids |
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| Kyzyl Oi |
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| Kyzyl Oi |
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| Ride along the Kokemeren River Canyon |
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| Ride along the Kokemeren River Canyon |
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| Bursting waterfalls |
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| Ride along the Kokemeren River Canyon |
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| Camping |
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| The final few |
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| Years from now, how many can remember where we are pointing to? |
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| The junction where the ride ended |
Day 4 : There's Rainbow after the Rain!
We woke up to a cold
and wet morning. Taking advantage of the lodge’s free WiFi, everyone bowed
their heads over the breakfast table, not to thank the Lord for the food before
them but to catch up on social media!
There was a unique
breakfast culture observed at the lodge. The caretakers will cook the food
provided by the guests. As there appear to be 2 distinctive groups which
co-existed together, we were indirectly bumped to second seating.
It was almost 11 am
and still drizzling when our vehicles rolled out on route A367. Other than the
occasional yurt and single storied, stand alone convenience store, the whole
land was vacant. Even trees grew few and far between.
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| The ultimate rain gear by York Fuan! |
We were thrilled when
we spotted a couple on tandem touring bike, riding on the other side of the
road. In the warm comforts of our vehicles, we were grateful we did not have to
face the harsh elements outside.
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| While many peed around this archway... |
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| ...Claudine peed behind this picnic spot... |
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| ...and enjoyed the view of a stream behind it! |
The
original plan was to drive 30 km to Suusamyr Village to begin our ride. As Zeus
was in no mood to oblige us, we had no choice but to endure a long drive down
the bumpy gravel road of A367. Along the way, we tried a detour on dirt tracks
which almost grounded us, made a potty break in light drizzle before coming
face to face with the mighty Kokemeren River. As early settlements tend to
congregate near rivers, we passed a little hamlet and even came upon the grave
of a past warrior.
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| The local family house |
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| The "local outhouse toilet" and view of the river. |
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| Foyer with Dan welcoming us |
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| Another view of the foyer |
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| Rooms to let |
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| Rooms to let |
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| Rooms to let |
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| Fireplace |
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| Stove |
Stopping in the
village of Kyzyl Oi at 3 pm, we were hosted by a local family to tea. At the
same time, Dima dished out his lunch supplies of leftover roast chicken from
last night and lentil soup which he must have pre-ordered from Suuslodge’s
kitchen. Let out as a guesthouse as well, we were allowed a free viewing of the
accommodation which comes with a comfortable modern bathroom, located outside.
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| Rockslides are common sights |
It was past 4 pm before our ride finally began. Plagued by
wet weather throughout the day, the winds continue to blow in the rain clouds.
Not exactly drenched to the skin as the rain comes and go, we enjoyed a cooling
ride on gravel roads that conveniently came with a gradual downhill terrain.
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| Double Rainbow at Gate to Kyzart |
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| Alex doing a Superman stunt, at the junction to Aral! |
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| Friendly village boys in Aral. When 2 sweets was offered to 3 of them, the eldest gave it to the younger 2!!! |
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| Fresh snow on the mountain |
Ending our ride at the
junction to Aral, we transferred to our stay with a local family at Jany Aryk
village, arriving just as dusk was approaching. Boy, were we alarmed to find
out there was only one ensuite bathroom in an otherwise cosy, 2 bedded house! No
issues to the locals as there were 2 showers and a toilet outside, but a
different ball game for us who are not used to freezing our butts out while
taking a dump!
Over
dinner, we went through a long discussion for the next day’s ride finally
coming to a conclusion to split the group into one that will attempt Chilbel Pass with Alex as lead rider and one that will be introduced to an easier route
on the other side of the mountain. However, before we could even end the
discussion, one by one, asylum seekers Gerard and York Fuan were forcibly
repatriated back to Team Chilbel upon realization that the minibus could
carry many passengers but not bikes!!!
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| Ending the ride in unity; Joyce not pictured here as she went to the bushes to answer a serious call of nature...next victim after York Fuan! |
That night only 4 and half persons had a decent shower. While
hygiene was a big priority for Sue who had to clean her wound, Kok Teng feigned
an urgent call of nature which included a bath as everyone were convening over
the next day’s plan. Meanwhile, between VT and Zoe who went into the bathroom
just before Claudine, they collectively used up the last bit of hot water,
leaving Claudine to a cryotherapy bath midway!
In the wee hours of the morning, while VT, Christoph and Mr Lim
guarded over the harem, a repeated queer gurgle was heard in the house.
Beginning with the voice of a woman, the noise turned into a man’s snarl at the
fourth audible. While Claudine swore it came from Anna, VT and Joyce were
convinced it was Mr Lim! Had Albastry lurked amongst us that night, he must
have released his grip midway, turned off by our odor, a lethal concoction of
sweaty armpits and grimy toes, marinated to perfection in the warmth of our
village home!
Total distance travelled : 170 km
Total ride distance : 80 km
Total ride achieved : 27 km
Ride Route : 100% dirt
road and gravel
Elevation : + 350 m,
- 600 m
Places of interest :
Kokemeren River Canyon (2050 m)
Photo courtesy :
All the fabulous
participants of Tian Shan, Realising Dreams Team - Alan, Anna, Angkana,
Christoph, Joyce, Lim, John, Kok Teng, Sue, York Fuan, VT, Gerard, Zoe, Dima
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Local Family Home at Jany
Aryk Village
Good story .... The more I read the more I want to read.....
ReplyDeleteAmazing journey. Beautiful scenery.
ReplyDelete