2^nd October Yazd, Iran to Bam, Iran

Having met up with Martin and Richi the previous day, today I rode the first 200 miles with other riders.  We parted company at Kerman because they wanted to camp the night in the desert. I travelled on alone to Bam. The last 50-60 miles of roads were tough… High side winds made for unpleasant riding. On single carriage way roads every oncoming truck smashes through the air creating a wall of turbulence that tries to topple a motorcycle. The last 50 miles were through a very remote region. Huge mountains, barren rocky desert….. No petrol stations. The temperatures peaked at only 26C and fell as low as 18C

Upon arriving in the city the Traffic Police pulled me over. They had a speed trap radar… however I felt that since cars were overtaking me when I hit the speed trap they were just curious. A few photos and some directions later I was on my way. Another pause for directions and a guy on a small scooter escorted me to the guest house.

I arrived at my desitination in Bam “Akhbar Guest House”  at exactly the same moment as a German guy, Gunther. He was 62 years old and riding a BMW 1000GS….. probably early 1990’s

He was a professional bike tour guide and it was fascinating to collect bits of information from him. He had travelled from the Himalayas and was heading to Oman. He had left Lahore on 25^th September and arrived in Bam on 2^nd October.

Akhbar is a simple guest house. The owner is a friendly guy who speaks excellent English. Akhbar spoke to one of his friends who escorted me and Gunther out for a meal. We ended up in lovely restaurant with really great food. A wide range of salads and of course grilled meat. The restaurant’s main feature was a courtyard with dining booths around the outside. Very Persian… sitting on carpets and bolster cushions. It was fascinating to see groups of girls dining out together without male company. Very relaxed .

Tomorrow I wait for the Austrian guys and explore Bam.

Bam mileometer 22074.                                       

 

 

 

Bam was devastated by n earthquake some years ago. More than 30,000 peopl died in the disaster. The city is now largely rebuilt using steel frame constructions.