Kazakhstan – Everything Has Changed

Since arriving in Kazakhstan we’ve cycled 350 miles (560kms) through predominately desert roads.⁣
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The first 10 miles were quite an eye-opener. Everything has changed.⁣
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It took us a day to get used to this new country.

I am usually full of wonder and joy as soon as I cross a border but I didn’t have this same feeling with Kazakhstan, it was too different. ⁣
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As we cycled along a fully flat, straight road for 10 miles Stew said he felt the vast open-ness was more daunting to him than a mountain. ⁣
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By the second day our feelings were totally changed and Stew said the second day in Kazakhstan was the best on the road and I agree.⁣
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Although the desert is vast and open with little to see the flat, smooth roads are a real treat. ⁣
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We stayed off the road in the headwinds that reached 23mph and ventured out when the forecast was better. The headwinds are strong. We had a headwind one day for about 40 miles and I was struggling. Stew manages well with them and I hide myself in his slip stream and if there’s a sidewind the roads are quiet enough for us to cycle side by side.

The temperatures have been incredibly cool with the mornings and evenings dropping to 7-10c. After a night of camping we wake up and get into jackets and beanie hats – we were not expecting that!

With a tail wind behind us or a gentle, welcome headwind we were able to cycle long distances of 93 & 97 miles (150kms) in a day. ⁣The desert provides a perfect opportunity to lose yourself in the openness and routine of the cranks gently turning. We listened to podcasts and music to pass the hours and found the experience blissful.
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I loved some of the views as you can see pictured and I had the added joy of hearing Stew laughing away at his podcasts.⁣
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Camping in the desert is a special experience and I’m looking forward to more of it. We set up the inner tent of our inner tent to let the breeze in whilst keeping the flies out. We had the most beautiful sunset the night of our first camp. ⁣
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In the morning we were joined by 3 curious camels, which I loved! ⁣
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I’m still not bored of cycling next to the camels.⁣