Just arrived in Mongolia. First thing I saw: a cow. On the way out of Russia I: met and camped with two frenchmen (well, a man and a woman) who are also cycling to Ulan Bator. Was given two eggs and two slices of kalbasa (phonetic) by a beautiful young buryat woman (buryat-siberian indigenous in the Ulan Ude area). Got water out of a well, because a store ran out of bottled. The scenery is getting dryer and dryer the further south I travel, and water is becoming more of a commodity and a worry. I've started to carry about 5 liters for every 100 km of travel. Crossing the border into Mongolia was ten times easier than I thought it was going to be (see below).
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Ulan Ude - Sukhbataar, Mongolia
The road out of Ulan Ude is beautifully paved and very flat for 100 km. The first big town is Goozisonersk, where I mistakingly did not buy water, this is the last town with water for 80 km. After leaving this town, which sits on Goose Lake, the hills start. No climb lasted longer than 4 km. The riding was serene at most points along this road, just beautiful steppes, mostly good pavement, and low wind (for me). Got water 40 km, outside of Kyakhta.
Border crossing: As of 08.30.2011. Kyakhta, Russia - Mongolia.
Cyclists - No need to hitch a ride, you are considered an automobile. I did not register my Visa while in Russia and found no trouble at all exiting the country. No visas are required for American citizens, so you just get a tiny little stamp and you're in Mongolia. Simple.
Staying at a hotel in Sukbathaar to figure out how to say hello in Mongolian, and where I am going to fit the thousands of paper bills I got from the bank exchange (1$ = 1242 Togrogs). 320 km to Ulan Bataar, where I will check in again.
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