November 19th, 2006 | categorizilation: all categories,Uzbekistan
Yeah, so I am still here in Samarkand.
It was raining the last couple of days.
Ok, I lie. It was beautiful weather yesterday, but I decided instead of heading out that I would take my bike to bits and clean it. My chain is soaking in kerosene, and my cogs are looking like new. I figure that since the visas I am currently waiting for (Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan) are the last visas that I will ever need to apply for on this trip, this is probably also the last time I will have such a long break where I can properly do mainentance on the bike.
In other news, you may recall that not too long ago, my speedometer stopped going. The owner of the B&B that I am staying at suggested that I go to the Sunday market here in Samarkand and look in the bicycle section for a replacement one. I didn’t hold much hope of finding one, but a quick ask around uncovered a cheap Chinese speedo that not only has all the functions of my old speedo plus present temerature, but cost only $5. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts…
An in other news, a Brazillian travel reporter I met on the Pamir Highway has written an article on her travels in Tajikistan, and I feature in it. Check it.
Good idea to service the bike and get it into top notch condition again. Does the owner of the B&B speka de English? Or do you converse in sign language? And another Speedo – I thought you'd decided it was good not to have one. The translation of the Brazilian article is almost as bad as the original although it was more understandable! You may become famous yet.
Mum, the owner of the B&B does indeed speak English. It is a great place. Lots of travellers. As for the speedo, I'm going to attach it under the seat, so that I can't see it. I need it more for the total distance I do in a day than anything else.
I don't know where your mother got the English translation of the Brazillian article, but it all sounds very dramatic in the original!
Well I couldn't read it at all. Where do you get the translation from? Hey Rob, how does the guy at the B&B feel about you pulling your bike to bits in your bedroom?!
Hi Rob
it looks as if the bike section of the market has more spare and handymen than here in Perth. Since wheelbuilding requires experience and time – labour intensive – people wouldn't do it but outsourced these days. I bet your bike is still in good condition but aluminium is a metal that does not show fatigue and then it snaps without warning. You may consider renewing rims as that's not field-repairable. You can still use the same hubs. Have you asked how much it would cost to renew the pair?
hello rob
i just discovered your website and adventure whilst googling for information on recumbent bikes. It's been a fantastic read so far and all the best for the rest of your journey! If i ever saw you in london i'd buy you a pint 
On the webpage translation –
there are plenty of websites that will translate both text and web pages, one that i have used – http://www.babelfish.altavista.com
oh, and i assume the language is porteguese…
and rob, as long as youve got your duck tape you should be fine!
Kiu, thanks for dropping by. If you have a recumbent bike, good on you. If you don't have one yet, get one. You'll never look back!
Satoshi, find me a replacement rim here in Samarkand (or all of Uzbekistan for that matter) that isn't either a 2 ton Russian rim from the 1920's or a crappy Chinese fodge, and I'll give you an award. I think I'll leave the replacing of rims till Turkey…good point about the aluminium though.
Matt, my duct tape got nicked in China…I now live in a state of nervousness…there is guaranteed to be a time when the lack of duct tape will be a disaster…
