Mongolia, Day 2 - Ulaan Bataar to Buren

The day started cold and wet as is typical at this time of year on Mongolia, but we were soon warmed up as we tried to kick start our bikes; mostly unsuccessfully and for the remainder the day support team helpfully did it for us.  I'm sure we'll become competent in time, but at the moment it's easier to stop on a slope and do a rolling bump start.

Regular stops to gather the troops and recuperate

The rain had made parts of the muddy trails feel like ice especially given that my rear tyre was low on tread, but once the day progressed the trails dried surprisingly quickly and became dusty in places. The tour is unlike any we've done so far in so much as the leader is in a jeep. This is a little frustrating at times as bikes can often zoom over terrain that even jeeps have to slow for, but at other times it's not so bad, and even helpful as when the jeep slows for a dip we know to take it a bit easier. Sometimes we let the leader get ahead and then speed up to catch him. Other times we ride parallel to the main track on the grass where the terrain is more challenging and keeping to the pace of the lead vehicle is not such a chore. It's actually safer to ride at your own faster pace as you get into a rhythm and the wheels have more momentum to carry you through ruts. 

Lunch was quite surreal as we stopped on the grassy plane and waited for the support truck to catch up; this carries our luggage but also a well equipped kitchen. After some time, perhaps too much, we were treated to a three course lunch at tables and chairs, and with proper cutlery and serviettes. Too much for us as we're used to simple snacks or noodles for lunch. Tomorrow we've asked for a simpler, quicker lunch.

Typical lunch stop

The landscape is unending low rolling hills with sharper peaks in the distance but nothing on the scale of the Andes or the mighty Himalayas. The roads we've travelled are just dirt tracks and I think we've only passed another vehicle twice the entire day; Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth and it's not hard believe.

We turn off the track and pitch our tents in flats areas on the grassy slope. We're treated again to a three course meal, some witty banter, then it's time for bed. The sky is crystal clear and I can see many more stars than are visible from the light polluted skies seen from most of Europe. It's seriously cold and I need a double skin of sleeping bags to keep me warm and I still have my clothes on. And a woolly hat. 

Camp for tonight

We covered 160 km today and it's more of the same tomorrow, but more, 190 km. As we head south we will eventually reach the Gobi where the terrain is very different.