I woke up at 7:30 a.m., eager to join the planned ride for the day. The meeting point was set at a parking lot at 9:00 a.m., but since the first group wouldn’t depart until 10:20 a.m., I had some extra time to prepare. My first task was to withdraw money to pay for Kirill’s oil change and my hotel stay.

After filling up with gas at a station near the parking lot, I parked my bike alongside the others and watched as more participants arrived. The shopping center next door provided a convenient ATM, and soon, I was back to mingle with the riders.

Riding through the Kazakh mountains

I joined the first group as we set off on the route. However, as the ride progressed, I fell behind. The pace felt more like a race than a group ride, with participants ignoring speed limits and traffic signs. Given my recent encounter with Kazakh police, I wasn’t willing to take risks.

Our first stop was at ‘Tole Bi Park’ near Novostroyevka, where we took photos and soaked in the surroundings. From there, we moved on to a small car park, called Stoyanka Smotrovoy Ploshchadki, before continuing to Donyztau. Our journey took us close to Kaskasu Ski Resort, where we stopped for a snack near the mountain road’s end.

The organizers set up a large tent, offering pastries to satisfy our hunger and coffee to warm our spirits. The mountain views were stunning, and a few bikers ventured further up the road in search of snow. We took a long break, snapped photos, and soaked in the beauty of the breathtaking scenery.

Leaving no trace

What struck me most during this stop was the group’s commitment to cleanliness. After our snack, everyone packed up and took time to clean the area, even the garbage left by others. Each person filled a large bag with trash to ensure the spot remained pristine for future visitors. It was inspiring to see this level of respect for the environment.

Returning to Shymkent

We rode back to Shymkent in a single stretch, pausing at the city’s entrance to split into groups based on hotel destinations. Upon reaching our hotel, we found the entire street torn up for paving. Navigating through the chaos, we managed to maneuver our bikes onto the pavement.

Arriving at 4:00 p.m., I hoped to rest before the evening’s events, but the constant noise of construction and traffic outside my window made it impossible to sleep. By 6:00 p.m., I was preparing to leave again.

Meeting the riders of ‘Sherdor’

I got to know the Uzbek biker club, Sherdor, a bit better at the hotel. Johnny, who spoke English, acted as our interpreter, while Tim organized taxis to take us to the evening’s venue. The ongoing street construction made traffic chaotic, and finding our taxis proved difficult. Eventually, I shared a ride with Johnny and another club member, reaching the party hall at 7:30 p.m.

An evening of hospitality and celebration

The event ticket was 35,000 tenge (€65), and once I paid the entrance fee I settled into a lively banquet. The table was overflowing with food, and live music set the tone for the night. Midway through the celebration, I was called to the stage and thanked for attending. As a token of appreciation, they presented me with an association-signed thermos and a magnet.

Initially, we had live music, and then the DJ took over the party. Most of the songs were in Russian if not all, but quite a few were well-known English songs, which made it easier for me to sing along.

At the party, I had the chance to meet more bikers. Every now and then, someone would approach me for a chat or welcome me in their unique way. As I made new friends, I picked up a few new words along the way.

The highlight of the evening came when a traditional sheep dish was brought out. That was a spectacle in itself. I stayed until around 1:00 a.m. when only club members and a few guests remained.

A late return

I planned to cover 900 kilometers the following day, and I knew I needed to rest. It was already late and the evening’s drinks, which I hadn’t intended to indulge in, left me uncertain about how well I’d sleep. A couple from the party kindly offered to drive me back to the hotel, and I gratefully accepted, hoping to recharge for the long ride ahead.