1000 kilometers of South Siberian Mountains
N 52°45'27.9'' E 103°38'18.5''
Day: 42-44
Sunrise:
06:14 am
Sunset:
10:08 pm
As the crow flies:
85.67 Km
Daily kilometers:
99 Km
Total kilometers:
11902.11 Km
Soil condition:
Asphalt
Temperature – Day (maximum):
31 °C
Temperature – day (minimum):
18 °C
Temperature – Night:
12 °C
Latitude:
52°45’27.9”
Longitude:
103°38’18.5”
Maximum height:
668 m above sea level
Maximum depth:
510 m above sea level
Time of departure:
10.00 a.m.
Arrival time:
6.30 p.m.
Average speed:
15.38 Km/h
Tanja
The rising sun promises us a wonderful day’s cycling. After breakfast together, we say goodbye to our Buryat family. Nicolai takes us to the edge of the village on the main road. We take the easy hills in good spirits and make good progress. We are happy to be on the road again and that summer is back. The image of the strawberry vendors on the roadside is memorable. They took turns with the mushroom sellers. Today, the honking of the drivers and the congratulations are also extremely noticeable. Actually, we rather enjoyed the chirping of the crickets. The many honking horns of passing cars prompt us to write poetry: “Keep listening to the crickets chirping, hear the honking so shrill!” Denis calls out. “I can hear the crickets chirping, the horns are wearing me down!” I reply.
After almost 100 km, we reach the town of Usolje-Sibirskoje at 18:00. A special moment, as we have conquered over 1,000 kilometers of the South Siberian Mountains up to this point. Nicolai warned us about the drug addicts that are said to abound here. There is a park outside our window. A man rummages through the garbage for food. Finds something and stuffs it in his mouth. He staggers away and spits it out piece by piece. What a stark contrast to our expensive accommodation.
While Denis writes down our experiences, I visit the market halls. I buy fresh fruit and vegetables and am interested in the different things on offer. In the hotel lobby, the receptionist cuts the hair of her colleague at reception. I finally have the opportunity to wash our cycling clothes again and have enough time to dry them. We enjoy a few quiet days in which we let our souls recover.
