Tsetserleg to the White Lake

Ok, we have internet again...its been in short supply where we have been. Today was a big day of riding for us. 200 km on terrible roads to a beautiful destination. Much of the main track is blocked off pending 'road' improvement, which is probably a good thing because the main roads are often the worst roads. We stuck to side tracks which snake here and there within a kilometre of the main track. Today was a little like riding a paint mixer and our sheepskin covers which we scored off a group of Australians driving through Mongolia did little to ease our sore bums. The surprising thing is watching small two wheel drive cars packed with up to 10 Mongols negotiate these tracks (and there are many cars, and tracks). Second hand, low kilometre Japanese cars come to Mongolia to be systematically destroyed by the terrible roads and countless occupants. This country has many contrasts however. As you drive through rundown towns and degraded tracks, you are passed by many brand new turbo diesel Land Cruisers and the like, most of which are owned by Mongols. We stopped at a spectacular gorge en route just before Teriat, but we are both so pulverised by the vibration we find it hard to enjoy the site. We get some good pics and sit apart for a while so we dont bite each others heads off. Shortly after we stop at a rise piled with large rocks to survey where we have come from. We feel extremely remote as you can see for up to 100km in all directions, but on closer inspection you can see familiar gers dotting the landscape, occupying the distant valleys. We finally arrive at Teriat, a western looking town with dusty streets and locals eyeing you as you ride through. We miss the bridge that crosses the river and heads for the lake so spend an hour riding in circles. Once we find camp though it is spectacular...a volcanic lake surrounded by rolling hills and trees! We make camp next to a couple of Mongol families and try to slow our brains after a day of intense concentration trying not to crash our bikes. >>Matt