Comfort in Cement

Just made it out of the Gobi desert, at least to the Chinese border. The roads were pretty terrible, and I am stoked to hit the Chinese superhighways. Walked through 5km of sand after mistakingly following the wrong set of power lines. Had my fullfillment of salty tea, sour cheese curds, and defrosted beef. Said goodbye to my awkward camel friends. And saying goodbye to Mongolia; Bayarlaa, Bayartai! Ni hao, CHINA!

Details: Sainshand to Zamyn Uud

220 KM


I left Sainshand past the Telecom office, southwards, on the paved road. In about 2 km this road arrived at a three way stop, in which I took a right. There is a sign marking KM's to Selenge and Erdene (Ulan Uul). The road is paved for about 60-70 KM. I was able to bypass some Chinese workers who were paving the road as I was riding it. By the end of the year I imagine at least 40 KM more of the road will be paved. When the pavement ends it transitions into a well marked gravel road for the next 80 KM or so. This road DOES NOT lead to Selenge or Ulan Uul. The railway is NOT in sight from the road. At the top of a small pass, some 60 KM from Zamyn Uud, the gravel road stopped, and the classic Mongolian dirt roads began.

These last 60 KM are quite difficult, sandy and corrugated. After reaching the end of the gravel road, I passed under a small set of powerlines, and saw the train line visible to my left, to the east of me. I came to an intersection in which the most beaten track turned westerly, but a small track continued SE (the predominant, correct direction) under the small set of powerlines. I mistakingly followed the small set of powerlines and in 20 KM or so the track deteriorated completely (very sandy). These small powerlines also follows the railway. I then pushed my bike off-track, directly west to meet up again with the main track, which is adjacent to a larger set of powerlines. I followed this all the way into Z.U. which is visible from about 20 KM away.

I am told that you cannot use blogger in China, so I guess this will be the last post, but I've also heard that there are ways around the whole deal so we will see. So until next time..