hi friends,

We are all finished riding bicycles and are happily eating ice cream in Ulaanbaatar.  The road here from Moron was seriously beautiful and empty of traffic, lots of lovely climbs up into the trees, herds of horses wandering through our camps at night, and easy rolling hills.  We even had 100 (!) km of pavement there at the end.  We also met a nice man riding his bicycle around the world.  His videos of riding a bike in -40 degree weather will make you shiver.  www.earthodyssey.net  brrrrrrrrr

Getting into UB was a little hairy this morning with all the traffic.  There were plenty of meeshees (sheep pelts) lining the road as we rode into town, and sometimes trucks passed very close.  Drivers in Mongolia like to basically try to run you down by passing within inches of your handlebars, then give you a big grin and a thumbs up while they kick dirt and dust in your face as they speed off.  Mixed signals, for sure.  Matt pumped himself up by shouting unwholesome catch phrases while entering jammed roundabouts, while Ben meditated on the possibility of bacon at Cafe Amsterdam.  Everybody won. 

The lack of enthusiasm that characterized Ben's general spirits in Moron was quickly alleviated by a trip to the pharmacy for giardia meds (it's so much easier to get medicine over here...why go to the doctor when you can just look your symptoms up online, then self=diagnose and medicate as you please?).  This last week riding may have been our favorite of the trip, and it's easy to see things to love about this country; big landscapes, friendly people, easy camping and empty roads.  However, it's not the easiest place to travel in (by bicycle or jeep), so plan on bringing a seat cushion and a couple pairs of earplugs if you make it out to these parts anytime soon. 

Here are some quick stats:
-28 days on the bike
-3 rest days
-2300 km of riding (2100 on dirt/gravel)
-30+ lbs of pasta eaten (total)
-6 other cyclists encountered (2 guys heading around the world on separate quests)
-100+ Snickers bars consumed (estimated)
-7 books read between us
-2 sweet beards

pictures below.  looking forward to seeing you back in America.

love,

ben and matt