Through the Cotton Fields

At 6.45am this morning, the group departed the lovely city of Buchoro. A short convoy meant that after 10km, the group were waved on and off they charged. The roads were lined with cotton fields, vegetable gardens, and orchards. Cafes dotted the roads. Cold drinks and shady rest stops were in abundance throughout the day. The roads were flat and bumpy. The big surprise of the day was the fried egg sandwiches that Errol cooked at the lunch truck. I mean, fried eggs, pickles, red onions, juicy tomatoes and mayonnaise!? How much more luxury can one get? The heat picked up after lunch, the riders rode on and the campsite, a delightful shady place with a restaurant and day beds as well as an apple orchard, soon appeared. To top the day off there was a yummy curry, beet salad and, of course, beers! Tomorrow, just 130km down the road is Samarkand, our home two rest days. The only sad thing about the journey in to Samarkand is the goodbyes we must say to our sectional riders Victor, Hans and Jurgen. Tonight, with full stomachs, we enjoy an Uzbekistan night on the road and dodge a million mosquitoes!