Nayrn in mountains

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Drive up to Nayrn at 2000m was just another 150km south. But staying at high altitude does make doing anything just bit breathless.



First night is a CBT (community based tourism project), where local families provide a room or flat, mine was single room in flat with 3 bedrooms, on bottom floor of apartment block, but with little secure parking. To cut story short, some 5 youths disturbed bike at 11pm so moved to secure hotel parking 1km away. CBT price at 700som or £7 is cheap.



Next night in posh hotel £8, big double room & nice breakfast.



Jolly to Tourgart border, at 180km bit further than I thought, hope for spectaclar views of big mountains, some 60km roadworks = bumpy roads, otherwise perfect highway. China border is lonely spot, dozen big lorries, did meet some other bikers from Greece on an old GS - friendly. Wanted to run back round yellow road - is permit required?, just more gravel and hopefuly better views right along China border, but it rained so turned hard packed earth to slime - very slippery, it just took all day and another spill (2nd indicator stork broke). At final check point, "U can't be here!" Or U do need a permit - but let me pass as I was leaving area (did search bike for drugs!), Just 84km of gravel & 2 passes to Nayrn, home 7pm rather muddy.



Maybe try B&B in a Yurt, but locals I saw today just wanted me back to their hut for drinking & some cash.

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Photos

out of Nayrn
Road works up to one pass.

view from top.
U think I am nuts, watch lone girl ride her well loaded pushbike off down track, think down hills on wobbly steep gravel are nearly as bad as uphills bits.

30m trench for new road
Whole route from China to Europe has massive project to upgrade roads to tarmack, reduce time and cost for goods to travel along silk road. Funny most lorries are traveling east empty!

road to China
Yet another long straight.

road side hut & Mellon stalls.
Look like old train carriages, are popular dwellings for locals.

Torugart border
Met Monica & Papos on road, but never seam to get good photo. Not much else at border.
The guard here let me go back though permit area.

Chatyr Kul
Nice lake by border, but at 3400m possibly wrong place for a swim, no beach or life guard etc.

yellow road does exist
From Kyrgyz map, interesting circular route.
But if route out 180km of track & roadworks, track home will be same distance, just much more difficult.

towards Torugart
50km of gravel tracks, with rain immenent.

towards nowhere!
Track continues, am I going right way?
See fence for China border on right, not going to try Steve McQueen.

Yaks
Not too pleased to see me, ran off.

A muddy bike
Missed picture of me, just had roll around in slime.

river crossing & exit ramp
Empty river or extended area of gravel - maybe 500m across, some sand and channels with some water. Track expands into 5 possible routes.