Tajikistan

A beautiful sunrise greeted the riders as they rode towards the border and Tajikstan. It was a crisp and cold morning which added to their speed, bundled up against the cold. After a long and drawn out border crossing into Uzbekistan last week, this one could almost be described as a laid back and fun! The guards were riding the tour bikes and wanting their photos taken as well. Even the trucks made it through in less than an hour. It was a great start to the day for everyone. The ride in Tajikistan began with silk smooth black pavement which had them all the riders grinning from ear to ear but it was fairly short-lived as the road construction began, in the shape of rough, mean, gravel roads that ate tires for morning tea. There was some delay as the troupe moved along the 60 odd km to Kojan and the ‘Hotel Paradise’. The mountains were close and we gradually climbed along a river. Today was a short distance, allowing the riders to rest and relax before tackling a couple of days of long distances. This will include a couple more border crossings before our rest day in Osh. The next few days should prove to be very scenic as we travel up into the very fertile Fergana Valley. Today it was sliding madly on the gravel, dodging traffic and enjoying the glacial showers at the hotel!