Mongolian roads are pretty good when they decide to make them. As good as anywhere else. Unfortunately there are no routes across the country where it’s all tarmac. When the road runs out there is generally a track running across the steppe.

I say a track, but it’s more like 8 or 10 tracks running roughly parallel. They’re ranging from hard packed and smooth to soft sand with corrugations or just heavily rutted. Occasionally you can sit down on the bike for a rest, but beware! Be ready to stand up at any time. The best track is of course the one next to the one you’re on!

The weather is warm and sunny for the most part at this time of year, but it does rain and I did get caught out before lunch. The storms are impressive as they’re very localised, almost like a series of micro climates. It’ll be bright sunshine where you are, but you can see lightning in 3 or 4 different corners of the sky.