Monthly Archives: July 2014

Continuing east after a sick day

Friday July 25, 2014, 60 miles (97 km) – Total so far: 4,062 miles (6,537 km)

July 26, 2014 60 miles Yesterday Jocelyn was still sick so instead of just getting in a few miles we decided to stay in this comfortable and very inexpensive hotel. Some days it is just better to stay put. Jocelyn rested the entire day except for a quick trip to the market for another package of delicious ramen noodles. I spent the day watching biking videos with Rashad and working with him on his English. He also taught me several Russian words and phrases. It was a pleasure to meet him and he was so helpful as he carried our bikes and panniers up and down the stairs. Today we had an early start to beat the heat. It was a good riding day as the weather was partly cloudy. We had our first Azerbaijan restaurant experience which didn’t turn out very good. We used our “point it” book and did get some delicious fried eggs though. But the salad was dismal and the dumplings contained uncooked pork so we avoided that too. Oh, and the draft beer was very flat.

We did however score some great peaches and grapes from a few fruit stands. Very delicious and sweet. After 60 miles we were tired of the head wind and 8 hours on the bikes. We found a nice hotel with a pool! After dropping off our stuff in the room we dropped into the pool in our biking clothes. Jocelyn soon realized that there were no females in the pool or pool area. This is a Muslim area and maybe the females don’t swim. Interesting though.

Rashad - what a nice guy!
Rashad – what a nice guy!
We have seen a lot of this nice tin work on Azerbaijan homes.
We have seen a lot of this nice tin work on Azerbaijan homes.
Soviet Union art.
Soviet Union art.
The other side.
The other side.
Jocelyn's good deed for the day - dragging a dog off the road. Very sad.
Jocelyn’s good deed for the day – dragging a dog off the road. Very sad.
This guy is loaded for market day.
This guy is loaded for market day.
A fine Azerbaijan beer.
A fine Azerbaijan beer.
Fine taxis but I prefer our bikes. We created quite a scene as many people came to see the Americans sit on a wall and take a break.
Fine taxis but I prefer our bikes. We created quite a scene as many people came to see the Americans sit on a wall and take a break.
This cab driver wanted us to take his picture. He was a real hoot!
This cab driver wanted us to take his picture. He was a real hoot!
The former Soviet Union countries are full of these statues.
The former Soviet Union countries are full of these statues.
It is potato season so families camp out in the fields and family member sits roadside while trying to sell a bag.
It is potato season so families camp out in the fields and family member sits roadside while trying to sell a bag.
I'm sure this boy would rather be playing. What a trooper as he is supporting his family.
I’m sure this boy would rather be playing. What a trooper as he is supporting his family.
We stopped at a modern gas station for cold water. We looked around and there were no trash cans. We were directed to this spot to dispose of our plastic bottles. The sewer pipe is coming from the toilets near where we are standing and lets out in nature further down.
We stopped at a modern gas station for cold water. We looked around and there were no trash cans. We were directed to this spot to dispose of our plastic bottles. The sewer pipe is coming from the toilets near where we are standing and lets out in nature further down.
Too hot for even the sheep to graze.
Too hot for even the sheep to graze.
This is the first roadside rest stop with toilets and water we have seen since many countries ago.
This is the first roadside rest stop with toilets and water we have seen since many countries ago.
I guess if you go too fast you get hurt and then if even faster you die.
I guess if you go too fast you get hurt and then if even faster you die.
A huge beautiful park in the city of Genca, Azerbaijan. The only thing wrong on this Saturday afternoon was that absolutely nobody was there except us.
A huge beautiful park in the city of Genca, Azerbaijan. The only thing wrong on this Saturday afternoon was that absolutely nobody was there except us.
Jocelyn took a terrific picture of our bikes.
Jocelyn took a terrific picture of our bikes.
One day 60 miles. What a flat day!
One day 60 miles. What a flat day!