30 May
- 2014 -
We are 1700m above sea level. From our camp to mountain crossing is a 10 km long road, which as locals say, is manageable only with old Russian Vaz or vehicles equipped with tracks. We decide to try, because true off-roads like this we have not had a pleasure to enjoy. Climb is steep, at the top altitude is 2200 and probably still is covered with snow. We dispatch unneeded cargo and leave all our luggage in base camp. We bring along only the most necessary things and our filming equipment.
We were not wrong with our planned route, because the hard road up is perfect for our motorcycles. After an hour long ride we get to the top of the crossing. The northern slope is blocked by the snow. On the other side of the mountain 20 km further there is an old-believers village, where people keep living aside from modern world. If there would be no snow and we had more days to spare, we would continue to village, but now we enjoy spectacular mountain view and blooming fields of rhododendron all around us.
From this moment on our road leads towards home. We did not get to Georgia, but we don’t regret it one bit, because with full assurance we can say that this region is one more destination for travelers with motorbikes. Especially for enduro bikes. Few kilometers past Bziba gorge there is a camping place “11th kilometer USSR”, which is our resting place for the night. 70 km today.