Bicycle Touring The World: Kazakhstan, in Aktobe
My latest bicycle touring update, cycling around the world in Aktobe, Kazakhstan. I’ve decided to stay another night in Aktobe as I didn’t get everything done I wanted to yesterday. I had done most of it, but I still needed to give the bike a clean after all the dust of the past week. I was probably carrying an extra twenty pounds in weight. I’m not even sure how the chain was still going around. It was so caked up with muck!
After breakfast, I went down to reception to get my bike out, saying I was off to get it cleaned, to which the very helpful girl from yesterday said, it’s been done! Sorry, I said. She said she’d mentioned to the bell boy that my bike needed cleaning. And he’d sorted it out and got it cleaned! Okay, the chain still needed cleaning properly, but the rest of the bike was sparkling.
Off In Search
With my note from the girl on reception and a map she’d also given me, I set off in search of a garage, which was relatively easy to find. I tried to explain what I wanted to the man in the garage, but he didn’t understand. So I handed over the note and immediately got a response, with somebody cleaning my chain. When they’d finished, I asked how much, and they said nothing and wouldn’t take anything at all!
That was it then. There was nothing else I needed to do. I did a bit of sightseeing, but it’s quite chilly today with a cold wind. I then returned to the hotel and retired to the bar, where I stayed for the rest of the day. Getting reacquainted with my friend Stella! I might not see her again for a long time! I also met my mate Gordon and his friend Tonic later on.
Tour Information
It’s been years since I took this ride, but the memories (and the data) are all archived:
- Photos: See my photos on Flickr
- The route: View my journey around the world
- Videos: Check out my YouTube videos
- Tour page: Ride overview
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If you want to find out if I’m away touring at the moment and check my location, visit the Where’s Garry page. And for an insight into the gear and logistics that keep me on the road, see my Life at 10mph Guide.