Mongolia X Journal 11 // Bones in the Earth // Long Haul Trucking north of Tuul River //

[Photo sequence north of Tuul River region, a long day tailgating the long-haul trucker and bones in the Earth]

There are always interesting Mongolian characters crossing paths in the tracks, these lonesome highways of the Nomadic ones. There are a few permanently-built establishments along empty plains and mountain lines that slip in and out of the horizons. Those few whom have chosen to remain in a single location have made it permanent outside handful of Mongolian urban collectives.Here I found a highway roadhouse, a wooden ship in the open sea, that caters to overland Nomads and some truckers carrying Ger accessories, non-perishable food supplies across one section of the Steppe to the next. The roadhouse is simple, open windows painted bright blue without window panes to stop the wind in summer, green grassland is not far from our wooden table built with wood planks that were milled directly outside a forest. They are serving meat, fat and handmade noodles. Relaxing here with the road truckers, we have been pacing about the same with slow climbs and sweeping descents which I can pass them on. No mechanical problems at all today, very happy about that. Visited a Mongolian Nomad herder and his wife and child, we sipped salted goat milk tea together, they were welcoming - I left them with some Tuna that I am carrying.

Weather has been good, heavy rain showers at night, high winds, then dew point in the mornings. I carry the rain tarp in a separate plastic bag, then around Noon, I open it either staked across the deserted Steppe, or in this case, I hung it on the wooden fence outside the Road house restaurant. The menu is mutton and noodles generally, there is no choice and the fat adds some extra calories. I started out 95kg and feel like 85kg right now only getting into the ride. Sun shine and clouds dense overhead float shadows and I ride in and out of their majesty. Maximum mountain biking=this is credit to Mongolia, the absolute place to be right now. I feel blessed and working hard to cross over it.

Thanks for visiting the X Journals! These posts are my private thoughts written during the summer mountain biking in Outer Mongolia. More adventures coming soon, so please enjoy the journey!