“We met at the bikes and left the hotel in Magnitogorsk at 8 AM today. Today we needed to cover 410 km (256miles), plus a border crossing into Kazakhstan…”

Read the full story of crossing the border between Russia and Kazakhstan by Lee-Ann and David here.

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

By Randy McClanahan:
“Welcome to Kazakhstan! More specifically, “Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.” Even over here they talk about Borat. Of course, Sacha Baron Cohen is from Cambridge, not Astana.
The Kazakh Steppe is much like America’s mid-west. Vast, flat grasslands as far as you can see. Hot summers, cold winters.
I have been here before. In 2011 I crossed Asia (by motorcycle, of course) on The Silk Road, which is south of here. I noted, however, the the morphing of facial features from European to Chinese begins in Kazakhstan. You can see it in the faces of the people literally at the border. It will increase as we travel east, until everyone looks Chinese. For me, that is good, because I love the Chinese people very much!
Travel by motorcycle is a very good way to meet the locals. Because we are exposed, people are eager to approach us to find out who we are, where we are from, where we are going, and the inevitable first question– “How much does it cost?” Thumbs up, high fives and honking horns are our constant companions.
It is, for me, the very best way to travel!”

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

Riding 450 km/ 280 miles from Magnitogorsk to Kostanay along the steppes

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

Crossing the border and entering Kazakhstan. The whole process was quick enough.

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

We were not supposed to take pictures but we did anyway.

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

We had to buy insurance for Kazakhstan – it cost about $2 at one place where half of us went, and $6 at the place where the others went.

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

Waiting for the paperwork to be done.

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

First monument in the country dedicated to the 550th Anniversary of Kazakh Khaganate.

Magnitogorsk to Kostanay

“We had been warned about speeding in Kazakhstan. It is very expensive. And just yesterday our support van was pulled over for doing 41 kph in a 40!

Today was a hard, frequently frustrating riding day. More than 300 miles, high winds and huge ruts. Some deep enough to fall into, and others extended completely across the road so that we had to leave the pavement to go around them. So, at times we might have celebrated finishing a rough part by exceeding the speed limit a bit. (But never more than twice the posted limit, officer, I promise!)

Anyway, as we entered a small town, I noticed that our two lead riders were stopped on the side of the road by a police officer. Each of us was, in turn, also signaled off the road by his harsh looking white and black baton. I feared the worst. We were caught, and were guilty! It would be a bankrupting fine, jail time or at best, impounded motorcycles in the middle of nowhere.

We were told to wait, as a big shot had been summoned to decide our fate. The big shot arrived, much animated discussion was had, and we were told to follow the officer into town. But instead of being imprisoned, we were being honored. The powers that be had been told by radio that we were coming, and our lunch reservation (made long ago) had been cancelled because of a 170 person wedding.

Apparently fearing an international incident, we were escorted to the restaurant and the restauranteur was told in no uncertain terms that we WOULD be fed– and fed well! We were not part of a parade, we WERE the parade! High fives and photos were had with the policeman. As usual, thumbs up and big waves by the locals.

The lunch was excellent, and we were efficiently on our way again. What's not to love about this place?”

Mike Bozarth wrote: “This whole drama ends up in police escort of our entire group into town… Lights & sirens blazing. I am so Ewan McGregor right now!”

Astana to Pavlodar