A Mini East Kazakhstan Loop from Oskamen

I had quite some time to go before crossing over to Russia. A week to be exact and thus decided to do a mini loop around East Kazakhstan. 

I now try to avoid going to crazy off-roads for I feel I need to conserve some energy for Mongolia and also preserve Bragge better until I could get into China where the Drive-China Guide could help me order parts and workshop to do some long overdue maintenance on the bike.

Oskamen

Oskamen

I would need a tyre change, sprocket & chain set, maybe a new rear brake pad and a fork oil seal replacement. It was still another 5000km and another month before I would reach China, so I really hope everything holds on together.

In Oskemen I finally decided to upgrade a few gears in my list. For once I bought the expensive Ultra-light self-inflated sleeping pad from Sea to Summit at Limpopo Outdoor shop which cost me a good 34900 tenge. 

My hesitation to purchase was gone since I found out that although nearly SGD 100 for a sleeping pad, the same pad in Malaysia or Singapore would easily cost SGD 150.

Limpopo Outdoor Gear Store in Oskamen - Kazakhstan

The old sleeping pad bought online from China was leaking somewhere and after so many campsites having to wake up every two hours to re-inflate the pad, I was almost done with the cheap stuff. 

It was not dirt cheap anyway costing nearly SGD 30 so a X3 price seams fair for some quality sleep. The old sleeping pad also could not keep the ground chill out, always seeping in and making cold weather camping torture.

From Oskemen I headed east towards Kazakh Altai. The roads were single lane, lovely asphalt, winding and going up and down rolling hills of sunflower plantation. It was beautiful and one of the leisure rides where I did not need to constantly fear for bad roads ahead. At the Altay Viewpoint was a piano and I had to play at least a tune before moving on.

Sunflower Fields along Kazakh Altai

Altay Viewpoint

A Piano at the Altay Viewpoint

I rode all the good roads to Altai town, not bothering to do any side tracks which may make a turn to be horrible roads. Beautiful View with horrible roads means no enjoyment at all since all focus is on the road and not the ride. Altai for a short lunch and then I rode on to the camping spot scouted from I-Overlander app.

Again, just as I reach and picked the camp spot, dark clouds were rolling in and I could smell the rain coming very soon. I quickly pitch tent first and just a quick turn, a sudden rainbow appeared causing me to pause everything and just enjoy the moment. That rainbow came and gone very fast within minutes, and I quickly rush to pitch tent.

Altai Town

Art Sculpture at Altai Viewpoint

A rainbow to mark my Camping Spot

Tent Pitch and food partially cooked, the rain started to pour. That night the rain was heavy and I was really worried inside my tent wondering if it would hold or if the water would cause a pond where choose my camp spot. 

The fly tarp was leaking water, but fortunately it somehow flow with the tarp on the inside to the ground. Sometimes it would touch the inner netting layer and then water would start to drip into the tent. Looks like I may even need to source a new tent but that would be a budget killer.

Morning View of the Campsite 

Lovely Ride to Kurshim

Next morning I took my time to pack camp. East Kazakh Altai region is simply beautiful and today destination was only Kurshim which was about 150km away. The view of Irtysh River along the ride to Kurshim was beautiful but with the weather still cloudy, I decided not to camp the second night.

Halfway to Kurshim, I could feel something was not right with the Top-box. My top bag which I usually lean on was somehow loose and not firm. Stopping and checking straps a few times, and I found the source of the problem. Another broken bracket.

Bragge left auxiliary bracket supporting the top box was broken near the foot peg. The metal broken in two and dangling there no longer supporting the box. Luckily it was a double bracket system but with the primary one already in bad shape since Tajikistan, one weaken side means the whole bracket would now creak and move with each crazy bump on the road.

I reach Kurshim and checked into the Hotel cum cafe. Took my lunch at the cafe where I met the restaurant one man army Doulet. Doulet could speak a little English, and he was a friendly chap that quickly whip me up some food. I asked him if he knew where I could find a welder in Kurshim and it turn out he was also a welder.

A little Green Steppe and a Little Amnesia Vodka

Late lunch and a shot of Vodka snaps courtesy of Doulet, he then brought me next door to find the workshop where he borrowed their welding machine and help me weld back the broken part of the bracket on Bragge. A quick job done and no money was accepted for the work.

Doulet brought me for a walk to the supermarket to get more Vodka for the night and I quickly offered to pay for the bottle. 4000 tenge for Vodka which Doulet and me drank maybe half before I surrendered and went to bed.

Doulet Helping to Weld back the Bracket

A quick Fix that Last all the back back to Malaysia

Next morning, I bid farewell to Doulet and headed to Targyn. The original plan was to camp somewhere near Sibiny Lake but the day was so gloomy that by the time I reach Targyn, it was obvious that it was going to be a wet and cold night. 

I decided to give camping for the night a pass and continue on towards Oskemen checking back into the same hotel and completing the mini loop journey.

Travelled on: Sep 2024