38. Stage 'Khorug '

After we repaired the tire this morning, we were able to cover the last kilometers to Khorug. However, on the way, I noticed that the tire is still leaking. After all, we did arrive in Khorug. We wanted to take care of the motorcycles anyway. I took advantage of the time until my shower to empty the right pannier and dry everything inside. Since the pannier was wobbling due to a severe collision with a rock, I fixed that as well. Jeroen arrived in Khorug in the early afternoon, and we went out to eat together. Afterwards, I went with Gerrit to the city center to look for oil and spare parts for myself. Unfortunately, there was no oil available, so Gerrit later had to use mine. In the late afternoon, I then took care of the defective tire.

31.07.2024: Today was another day for motorcycle maintenance. I couldn't repair the defective tire the day before, so I had to work on it again today. After some initial difficulties and with Jeroen's help, I managed to fix it. Then I had to deal with the broken side stand. While riding through the Bartang Valley, I had torn off a holding bracket for the springs and could only hold the side stand with an expander. Gerrit had obtained two springs for me, which helped me solve the problem. The issue with the expander was quite annoying. Now everything seems to be okay again. Unfortunately, I lost part of my tools during a repair action. I need to replenish that in Osch. Jeroen had already set off for the Wakhan Valley in the late morning. Gerrit and I plan to follow him tomorrow. On the last kilometers to Khorug, the oil light on Gerrit's motorcycle had repeatedly turned on. After he topped up the oil, the problem seemed resolved at first. However, later it turned out that the cause was still not eliminated. Ultimately, it seems that oil sludge has formed in the engine, blocking the oil pump. The likely cause is coolant that has entered the engine. This makes further travel impossible. Gerrit will have his motorcycle transported to the Kyrgyzstan border and from there to Osch tomorrow. I will continue my journey alone through the Wakhan Valley and follow Gerrit to Osch