The bike got a nice safe berth last night and the hotel staff insisted I put it there….I was happy to leave it on the street but no, it had to block the disabled ramp and one of the fire doors for good measure. Feeling nice and relaxed after my massage, I set off in to the dusty streets and tried to find my way out of this city. The dust gets everywhere so most of the shopkeepers are out with hoses to dampen the areas in in front of their premises. Just down the road I saw signs for Iran….it was just 40K away….next trip ;-)
Lake Van didn't really show itself very well. It was hot and hazy and I couldn't even see the other side. As usual, the roadworks began about 20K outside town and continued on and off for about 160K and it took 3 hours to cover it.The temperature at the start was about 28C and quite pleasant but by the time I stopped for lunch at 1300 it was 38C and I needed to get myself soaked in cold water. I like the food in this part of the world and it is a bit different to the usual shish/donor grills you get everywhere. I had some tasty spicy lamb stew and not one but two salads to go with it. This part of the country is predominantly Kurdish so I guess that has something to do with it.
After lunch the terrain changed and became more liked what I imagine the cornfields the midwest might look like if they had rolling hills. If I ever suggest riding across that part of the US or canada, please shoot me….dull, dull dull. At least this place has hills and a few corners to negotiate. The temp got up to 41.5C at 2pm according to the bike and hovered between 39/40 until 6pm. The road surface was often just molten tar where it was worn out or just plain badly laid. I adopted a strategy of riding for about 100K until I couldn't take the heat any longer, then stopping for a hot sweet tea and a shirt soaking and that did the trick nicely.
About 7pm, a small but powerful storm/squall blew up. I was looking at he sky and admiring the cloud shapes and then I realised I was going to go through it. There were terrific side winds and the trucks were having a tough time staying in lane as was I. There was all sorts of crap in the air, bushes being blown onto the road....I even saw hat I thought was a tubmleweed....do they grow outside the US? I suppose if they just packed a little less on the trucks, they might stand a better chance. I don't think this would be legal anywhere in the EU?
I stink. I was blaming the local agriculture for the past few days, but tonight after all that sweating, I believe I am a significant contributor to the problem. I threw the bike suit in the bath with some shampoo and the bath turned a nice muddy brown. Hopefully it will be dry enough to wear in the morning but if not, at least it will keep me cool. It is 32C outside at the moment at midnight, thank God for Air conditioning.
The bike got a nice safe berth last night and the hotel staff insisted I put it there….I was happy to leave it on the street but no, it had to block the disabled ramp and one of the fire doors for good measure. Feeling nice and relaxed after my massage, I set off in to the dusty streets and tried to find my way out of this city. The dust gets everywhere so most of the shopkeepers are out with hoses to dampen the areas in in front of their premises. Just down the road I saw signs for Iran….it was just 40K away….next trip ;-)
Lake Van didn't really show itself very well. It was hot and hazy and I couldn't even see the other side. As usual, the roadworks began about 20K outside town and continued on and off for about 160K and it took 3 hours to cover it.The temperature at the start was about 28C and quite pleasant but by the time I stopped for lunch at 1300 it was 38C and I needed to get myself soaked in cold water. I like the food in this part of the world and it is a bit different to the usual shish/donor grills you get everywhere. I had some tasty spicy lamb stew and not one but two salads to go with it. This part of the country is predominantly Kurdish so I guess that has something to do with it.
After lunch the terrain changed and became more liked what I imagine the cornfields the midwest might look like if they had rolling hills. If I ever suggest riding across that part of the US or canada, please shoot me….dull, dull dull. At least this place has hills and a few corners to negotiate. The temp got up to 41.5C at 2pm according to the bike and hovered between 39/40 until 6pm. The road surface was often just molten tar where it was worn out or just plain badly laid. I adopted a strategy of riding for about 100K until I couldn't take the heat any longer, then stopping for a hot sweet tea and a shirt soaking and that did the trick nicely.
About 7pm, a small but powerful storm/squall blew up. I was looking at he sky and admiring the cloud shapes and then I realised I was going to go through it. There were terrific side winds and the trucks were having a tough time staying in lane as was I. There was all sorts of crap in the air, bushes being blown onto the road....I even saw hat I thought was a tubmleweed....do they grow outside the US? I suppose if they just packed a little less on the trucks, they might stand a better chance. I don't think this would be legal anywhere in the EU? 
I stink. I was blaming the local agriculture for the past few days, but tonight after all that sweating, I believe I am a significant contributor to the problem. I threw the bike suit in the bath with some shampoo and the bath turned a nice muddy brown. Hopefully it will be dry enough to wear in the morning but if not, at least it will keep me cool. It is 32C outside at the moment at midnight, thank God for Air conditioning.
Agh, 41C that must be horrible...kind of glad not to be enjoying that with you (and the smell)! The last couple of days sound cool though, I esp like the sound of all the friendly people encounters :-) keep safe x
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