Ancient Ruins

Wow! A campsite that is right next door to ancient ruins; a great feel, excellent exploring and a happy bunch of riders! The ride was flat, not too long and mighty fast (due to a delightfully lovely tailwind) and meant that the group were through lunch by 10.30am (even with a convoy out of Ashgabat) and in camp by 2pm (except those that stayed at the truckstop down the road sampling beers and vodka with the local truckdrivers!). The route was flat, the road bumpy, the traffic fast (as it always is) and the border to Iran on our right all day. Steep, rugged, rocky mountains rose into the sunny haze. A constant breeze and the shade of the trucks as well as some great music on the stereo has made for a fun and relaxing afternoon, not to mention the beer run at 3.30pm and the promise of a tasty meal cooked by the African Routes boys. It all adds up to bike heaven happiness in Turkmenistan!