Today we head off to Arslanbob through the gorge and Ferghana Valley.
The road condition varied over the whole route from good to goat track. The road skirted around Uch Terek and the blue water was amazing to see. A few tunnels kept our wits about us as we had tinted visors and sunglass on. We stopped for fuel and a coffee at a road side stop and watched paragliders making the most of the weather. The temperature started at 12 C and ended up in the low to mid 30s for most of the day.
A picnic lunch was planned at a secluded park on the side of the Naryn River. After lunch a few of us braved the icy water and had a dip. It was very refreshing after the hot ride. Ellis, one of our guides reenacted a swimming pool jump off the rocks for us.
After lunch we started out to our next fuel stop at Pravda. This ride took is past a lot of agriculture where watermelon and rockmelons were in abundance at roadside stalls. The smell of the rockmelons was tempting but we had to make up time to get to out homestay accomodation. The road was hectic and the traffic brought back memories of riding in Cambodia. Some drivers were friendly and courteous and others thought the roads belonged to them. It was a relief to turn off the main road and ride through the walnut grove.
The final destination was still 55 km away and once again the view of the snow covered peaks in front of us was awe inspiring. The last 5 km was difficult and seemed to take forever. The road was a steep climb with badly rutted roads and loose rocks the size of your fist. Traction was a problem for most and the host who was leading us to the homestay didn't help by stopping on a slope.
Once we arrived we were allocated our rooms and took a much needed shower. Our accomodation is very basic but clean and our hosts are very welcoming
The road condition varied over the whole route from good to goat track. The road skirted around Uch Terek and the blue water was amazing to see. A few tunnels kept our wits about us as we had tinted visors and sunglass on. We stopped for fuel and a coffee at a road side stop and watched paragliders making the most of the weather. The temperature started at 12 C and ended up in the low to mid 30s for most of the day.
A picnic lunch was planned at a secluded park on the side of the Naryn River. After lunch a few of us braved the icy water and had a dip. It was very refreshing after the hot ride. Ellis, one of our guides reenacted a swimming pool jump off the rocks for us.
After lunch we started out to our next fuel stop at Pravda. This ride took is past a lot of agriculture where watermelon and rockmelons were in abundance at roadside stalls. The smell of the rockmelons was tempting but we had to make up time to get to out homestay accomodation. The road was hectic and the traffic brought back memories of riding in Cambodia. Some drivers were friendly and courteous and others thought the roads belonged to them. It was a relief to turn off the main road and ride through the walnut grove.
The final destination was still 55 km away and once again the view of the snow covered peaks in front of us was awe inspiring. The last 5 km was difficult and seemed to take forever. The road was a steep climb with badly rutted roads and loose rocks the size of your fist. Traction was a problem for most and the host who was leading us to the homestay didn't help by stopping on a slope.
Once we arrived we were allocated our rooms and took a much needed shower. Our accomodation is very basic but clean and our hosts are very welcoming
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