Bishkek to Bangkok 2023: So it begins......

It was a typically miserable, overcast, drizzly summer day as I headed to Heathrow in typically miserable M25 traffic to deliver my bike to the cargo company.

The bike at James Cargo waiting to be put in a crate.

This was a couple of weeks before I was due to fly myself. BUT, the day before my bike was due to be delivered to the airline, I got a message from James Cargo telling me the battery was dead and wouldn't hold a charge. Bugger!! Too late to do anything about it before the bike departed. So, a fraught day or so researching options for a new battery. Contacting various potential leads in Bishkek lead to frustrating dead ends. I contacted the airline I am flying with (Air Astana) to see if I could carry a new battery as check in baggage. To my surprise, they said "yes", providing it wasn't a lithium-ion battery.

Then the trip to Heathrow to catch my flight. More stress as the Piccadilly Line ground to a halt as soon as I boarded the tube. Bugger. I bailed on London transport and sought an Uber (£62!!) from Piccadilly. Then I approached check in with my newly bought battery: much consternation ensued as phone calls were made and rule books checked and double checked. Finally, I got the OK and the battery disappeared down the check in conveyor...... hopefully to reappear in Bishkek, insha'Allah!

No, No, No! Before I even boarded the plane, the check in staff chased after me to be told the battery had been off-loaded as a "dangerous" item (despite them being routinely transported as "cargo"). So a fraught day or so chasing up leads in Bishkek (and beyond) for a suitable replacement. Needle in a haystack, hen's teeth, honest politicians time. Eventually, I was put on to a guy working out of a dusty backstreet shop who had batteries that were "nearly" a match. Hobson's choice, but a choice nonetheless. So, a quick check on the internet motorbike forums (how did we survive pre-internet??) to see what would be the best of the available options and a new battery was purchased (double the UK price!! Ouch!). During the process, I purchased some temporary motorbike insurance for £4.50, swings and roundabouts innit??

Magazin Moto: a proper "big bike" supplier and good guy.

Hobson's choice

One interesting thing (to me at least) about Bishkek is the absence of dogs. While I like our four legged friends, they are not so partial to me. It is a refreshing change to amble back from a late night drink and not have to worry about aggressive canines wanting to take lumps out of me.

Bishkek itself is a good place. I was here 11 years ago with only fragmentary memories. Now, lots of people whizzing about on E-Scooters and deliveroo type delivery drones. Very modern. Quite a strong Russian presence; but I don't know if it is any more than during more sane times. Also, there is a surprising lack of a Chinese presence; I have yet to see any signage in Chinese or any Chinese speakers.

Feels very safe as a city (my biggest adversaries has always been the feral dogs!). Beer is freely available, cheap and very good. Also very hot at the moment, low 30s every day.