30 days X 30 years

1

This is happening

After months of daydreaming, planning and preparing I’m finally riding the M41, a.k.a. the legendary Pamir Highway.

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Bike – 89KM

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1

The good Samaritan

As night sets in I get desperate while shaking from the low blood sugar. As a last resort I decide to bang on some random family's gate...

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Bike – 60KM

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1

Disaster (almost) strikes

An accident on a steep climb almost leads to the end of the whole adventure, after just 1,5 days on the road...

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Bike – 61KM

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1

Pure joy

The young brother is so excited he cannot stop jumping around and making funny faces, even after his older sister slaps him in the head.

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Bike – 52KM

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1

Community

I have already anticipated crossing Khaburabot pass will be one of the toughest days of the trip. It’s the first real test.

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Bike – 23KM

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1

Gates of Argonath

This area is a main trafficking route for Afghan opium, explaining the number of brand new 4x4’s, large Aviators and moustaches in town

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Bike – 73KM

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1

The feeling of Afghanistan

It feels slightly surrealistic to be so close you can literately throw a stone at it. A bit less black smoke and gunshots than expected...

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Bike – 64KM

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1

Connections

Finally the canyon walls give way and we are treated to a beautiful valley featuring massive rocky peaks all around.

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Bike – 85KM

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1

Best of both worlds

During rest day a.k.a. ‘showering/shaving/grocery shopping/laundry/bike maintenance day’ Andy finds his steed’s back rim is splitting...

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Bike – 107KM

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1

Wakhan Solo

It was cool cycling with a group for a bit, but nothing beats the freedom of being on your own.

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Bike – 73KM

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1

Reaching my limits

My condition keeps worsening despite the local kill or cure remedies, and I can hear my host family worriedly whispering outside my room.

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Bike – 39KM

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1

Fresh air and new eyes

After a morning of cycling I make it to the pharmacy, that appears to be closed! But no way am I leaving without my medicine.

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Bike – 36KM

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1

Dead end street

This connection to the country’s main road easily has the worst roads, and not a single sign of civilisation for days. Just pure wilderness.

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Bike – 53KM

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1

Pragmatism

Not a living soul in sight. Just the rustling wind, a dusty track and sunrays beating down through the thin air. Pure desolation.

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Bike – 37KM

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1

Mirage

I’m now almost out of water and not making as much progress as I should. This could prove a costly mistake…

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Bike – 104KM

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1

Mars Rover

The route continues through beautiful canyons making me feel as if cycling through the Mars rover’s photo roll.

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Bike – 63KM

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1

High as a kite

Murghab is the highest town of the entire former Sovjet union at 3650m (11,975ft), but still I’ll have to cycle up over a kilometre.

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Bike – 69KM

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1

Pinnacle

4655m (15,272ft) above sea level. That’s about the height of Mont Blanc…on a bloody bicycle!

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Bike – 61KM

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1

The descent

With constantly engaged brakes riding down goes almost as slow as cycling up; the road is relentless.

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Bike – 38KM

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1

Modeling

Being on the road by oneself for an extended period of time, is where this fundamental human desire to connect in some way, flourishes.

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Bike – 68KM

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1

The light and the dark

One of those mornings where you can’t believe how lucky you are to be alive and cycling the open road…

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Bike – 53KM

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1

The final boss

With my last strength I make it to the homestay, drop my bike against the wall and hobble through the door to crash on a bunch of pillows.

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Bike – 69KM

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2

Slim victory

It’s early afternoon when I finally roll into town under Osh’s giant victory arch, which seems fitting, especially after the last three days