Silk Route Bike Shops

No matter how many times we all poured over the equipment list before leaving home, sooner or later nearly everyone on the Silk Route needs to pick up something for their bike. (Who knew it was possible to puncture seven tubes in two weeks?) So far, it has been relatively easy to work out the kinks through pointing and pantomiming at the main street cycling shops. And while these pale in comparison to our favorite shops back home, it's been relatively easy. Still, it's the hole-in-the-wall, local shops and carts which have been most inspiring: cluttered with utilitarian essentials that look like they were manufactured in another age, ready to be cobbled together to get the locals rolling. All in all, they're good reminders that tricked out titanium frames and fancy gizmos are nice, but all you really need to get moving is two wheels and a little determination.

–Nate Cavalieri