In the end of July we landed in Bishkek, which, despite the dust, the heat and the mad traffic proved to be a very pleasant city. We put the bikes and by the morning train we get to Balykchy at the west end of the huge lake Issyk-Kul. The train journey was interesting, cheap and strongly accelerating the integration of the Kyrgyz folklore.

In Balykchy we had our first contact with kumys, or fermented horse milk, sour drink very popular in each yurt. From there, we start cycling route: south side of Lake Issyk-Kul, and then in the top of the switch. Barskoon (3819 m) and Arabel (3844), followed a long, green river valleys Burkan and Balgart to Narynu. It will take us 8 days.

Moving in the heat and see the lake farther than we dreamed, we try as far as possible to leave the main road, where the quality of the surface and so is annoying. As a result, we discover Slane Ozero, with water so salty that it is impossible to drown there, and even more salty puddle of black mud, which the health-lubricating locals. The area of ​​the lake spend the night in a yurt. The next day is a full day, almost desert crossing the desolate, dry steppes. Bikes often bury themselves in the sand. The path leads right next to the lake, which significantly improves driving comfort.

Written by: Wojtek Gajek