We're in Mongolia!

We’re in Mongolia and only 1500km from the finish line! We entered the border last night, which was convenient as the staff wanted us the hell out of there so they could go home…they didn’t even look at our passports! Tip for all if you wish to smuggle anything into Mongolia do it as the border closes!

At the border (Russian side) we bumped into a Citroen 2 CV from England.The poor old Dolly and her passengers George and James and a Russian Swede, who is cycling around the world, had been at the border for 6 hours waiting to go through;we got through in less than an hour. The 2CV was knackered and needed towing to the knackers hand over yard in Oligy, working on the premise we would like someone to help us in our hour of need we willingly towed the poor fellows. However we did not anticipate the roads that lay before us. After 10km of dirt track, which took over an hour to cross Boggycould take no more and we had to stop and set up camp. Temperatures dropped to-5 degrees that night so we lay like spoons, George, James and the Russian Swede included, to conserve heat! Not one of us got any sleep shivering all night!

The next morning we rose to discover Boggy had towed the 2CV half way up a mountain, no wonder the old girl could go no further! We also realised we went the wrong way, so after pushing the 2CV (and her occupants) back down the mountain we tried again. The proper road was no better and we sadly and reluctantlyhad to leave George and James (The Russian Swede cycled off himself) on the side ofthe mountain; we still feel guilty but knew a truck would come along soon. We proceeded to Olgiy the capital city of the province we’re in, giving a local who had broken down a lift, we saw tarmac for the first time in over 100km, needless to say we were overjoyed (as was Boggy).

When we reached Olgiy we met up with two other teams andl eave now in convoy to continue to Ulaan Baatar! If that was our first night in Mongolia what does the next week hold for us?

David R