Hubbard Motorcycle Adventures

It is  time to say adios to Mongolia. Tomorrow we cross the border back into Russia. We have had 11 days in Mongolia. The people have been warm and friendly, the  history is fascinating and some of the scenery has been amazingly beautiful. On the other hand crossing Mongolia by motorbike (or with any vehicle) is a serious challenge and not for the faint hearted. That I think will change quickly and in 10 to 15 years time modern roads will replace the wild roads and no roads situation that you have today. Like it is not I also think Mongolia will become a major tourist destination But enough of soliloquys. What have we been doing in the last three days  Well firstly it was a rest day in Altai after coming of the tough cross country “ road”. I got the Redhead cleaned - she was filthy I did a tho right check for “ loose bits” and checked the wheels carefully. They seem to be holding up well  Then we set off for Khovd - a 430 km day. What a contrast The Road was smooth smooth tarmac - are

Well we have had two fall offs in the last two days - both in soft sand and dirt at negligible speed so it is only the ego that was damaged. In these circumstances you just pick the bike up, think of early English explorers and just carry on.  We did like the advice to  Diana  from our friend “Ken of Wellington”  fame. Time for the pearls now  I think -  Which pannier are they in ?  But let’s back the bus up for the last three days. We leave Tsetserleg and it is a nice 350 km trip on a sealed road (mostly) to Tosontsengel. We cross several mountain passes - one about 8000 ft we think. It was very cold and there were particles of ice in the rain. As we got close to Tosontsengel the heavy rain threatens but never arrives.  Another biker who arrived at the hotel just on dusk said it was snowing heavily on the pass and then heavy rains when he came thru.  Climbing , climbing towards the big sky. They call Mongolia the “big sky country”. We thought of Grahame Sydney the painter of Central

Well we have had two fall offs in the last two days - both in soft sand and dirt at negligible speed so it is only the ego that was damaged. In these circumstances you just pick the bike up, think of early English explorers and just carry on. We did like the advice to  Diana  from our friend “Ken of Wellington”  fame -  Time now  for the pearls now  I think -  Which pannier are they in ?  Bit let’s back the bus up for the last three days. We leave Tsetserleg and it is a nice 350 km trip on a sealed road ( mostly ) to Tosontsengel. We cross several mountain apaases - one about 8000 ft we think. It was very cold and there were particles of ice in the rain. As we got close to Tosontsengel the heavy rain threatens but never arrives.  Another biker who arrived at the hotel just on dusk said it was snowing heavily on the pass and then heavy rains when he came thru.  Climbing , climbing towards the big sky. They call Mongolia the “big sky country “. We thought Grahame Sydney the painter of C

‘‘ Twas a day of all three! Today is the day we start the westerly trek across the steppes of Mongolia. We leave Ulan Bataar at the early  hour of 6.45 am hoping to beat the traffic build up in central Ulan Bataar. The  strategy works !  We breeze thru an almost deserted city and hit  the road to the west. Then we hit the bit of the road we were warned about. There had been a wash out of a bridge and big section of the road during a flash flood last week. Yes, there it was. 10 km of sand filled temporary track. The bike started  swerving from left to right and back again quicker than a New Zealand political party! We paddled and slipped and slid thru’ myriad tracks and sometimes just on the grass itself. The choking dust was horrible - sometimes you could see only about 2 metres in front of the bike.    The pictures say all. To those of you that pick up detail that is not an oil patch on the left hand side of the bike.  Enough said!  And then we are thru’ - without a spill off.  I do