2017/08/20

Day 22: Ulaanbataar - Dschingis Khan Statue

The day today began curiously. I woke up early. Probably because a motorcyclist has already started. And right, Reed, the young American, who bought the motorcycle from an Italian, went off-and after a few seconds I heard some noise. He had fallen down. It turns out that Reed is too small for the bike. In the stand he has no ground contact at all. He can not ride it. I was very sorry for him in his youthful swing coupled with a huge dose of naivity. 

The electricity once again failed. At night it has rained heavily - too much water, short circuits, a burning power strip ...

My morning is pretty messed up with some talks. Later I join Orvar and Trevor for a shopping tour to the center - they need new raincoats. The taxi ride is fast and first we are visiting to a KTM shop, which has some spare parts, but doesn't really look like they are doing repairs. So regarding the shock absorber the shop is no help.

At noon we go to a hotpot shop. This works the way that you select the ingredients - i.e. noodles, fish balls, etc.. Everything frozen or dried. You collect them in a basket, then you pay at the cash desk and you will be asked whether you like it to be spicy or not so spicy. And after a while you get your soup. Tastes great and feds up! Super soup!

Actually, we wanted to go on a trip to the big Genghis Khan statue, but it rains again and my friends don't wanna go for a ride. So, after we returned to the Oasis again, I'm riding alone. This way I can test, how's the rear shock working now. It seems to me, the shock absorber is usable.

Insertion: Yesterday I wrote on Adventure-Rider.com about my problem and got feedback very fast. I was able to narrow down the problem and am now quite certain that the preload is no longer adjustable. The oil loss probably caused by its loosened attachment. So the shock absorber can be used but it will be not proper adjusted to the weight, I'm taking with me. It's adjusted to the rider without load.

I'm relieved and hope that I can make it Ulaan Ude tomoorow. And I hope it will not continuing to rain.

The Genghis Khan statue is impressive and well-attended and many people make selfies. Nice here. I meet Dominik again, the Canadian guy from British Columbia.

Back at the Oasis, I sort out my gear, collect my tools, check the bike, counting my cash. Overall, I did not spend much money in Mongolia, about 400 euros for 12 days including refueling, but here in the Oasis it will be a bit more expensive - and therefore I have to get some cash from the ATM and I also have to buy some provisions. The supermarket is open until 10pm here.

Very late, Dominik surprisingly returns. His ride today was bit frustrating. He wanted to follow a track, which had been described by another rider. However, it turns out that the path is very steep and is now muddy due to the rain during the last few days. So Dominik has slipped and fall down very soon and he didn't get up his bike alone again, because of the slippery ground. He had to wake up a truck driver, who parked nearby, and asked him for help. And so he turned around after about 200 m on that track and returned to the Oasis. Mud is no fun!