Aktobe shortcut

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There is 600km shortcut, as opposed 1000km via Uralsk to north.

Roumour says Aktobe road in poor condition, but passable?

Well spent fair days ride 150km out to find out,
Past PNR! (point no return) ie left city with 150km fuel &1ltr water, did find fuel in Dosser which did take credit card, beware Kazak is tough country for man and machine, more planning not just Ur average ride out.



First 120km fair new tarmak and roadworks making more nice road, then the pothole started, not just one - but real scruffy road, with big lorries using tracks in backed mud sand 100m to either side of 'road' preferable. The bike is good for that, but keep speed below 30kph, with >> 400km. My offroad skills are fair, bean-it if front goes into sand etc, and do expect to drop it, for solo machine in such remote place far from support this could be really bad.

So shortcut would be a risky 4 days, vs two days (if U start early) on longer route with better roads.

All in long hot 300km ride out, but good to know.



Video of roads, have qty of video - from 6 different countries,
but need someone to do hosting on 'Youtube', which can be linked to blog. Send me email if can help with ftp site.

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Photos

Aktobe_distance
Without Arabic spelling bit more of a guess where U'r going.
Can see lots pipework, district heating systems I'm told.

Bactrian Camel.
Bacteria is two variant native to 'steppes' so I have arrived on the Steppe!, think these are domesticated as some have a collar, free to roam, look healthy enough given harsh place to live.

Actual oil wells
Just nod up down all day, 2rpm.
But black gold makes it worth it.

shortcut1
Big pot hole on right, was road once but such length, jerk on machine - U want stand on pegs. So British roads have fair way to go downhill.
Mud on left slightly smoother, OK when dry - not rained for weeks, but sandy areas can be skiddy.
Alright for odd 10km, but 400km in 36C,
Perhaps nothing else too see is significant, might see town from 15km away, to arrive & is just Mellon & dry fish stand, then nothing next 30km.