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A362 (Karkara to Bishkek), Krygistan conditions ? A362 (Karkara to Bishkek), Krygistan conditions ?
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  #1  
Old 20 Jul 2017
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A362 (Karkara to Bishkek), Krygistan conditions ?
Any one have a recent update on road conditions on the north route around Isdyk kul?

Our bikes (and us) are still shook up from Mongolia and the road to Almaty.

Is this route asphalt, or gravel ? If asphalt what condition compared to Oskamen to Almaty.

If gravel, what condition ? And how much ? (KMs).

I can't afford to lose anymore bolts, it snap another frame bolt.

Failing the above route, is Bishkek to Taraz worth the detour ?

TIA



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Old 20 Jul 2017
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Don't remember it as bad, two years ago. North of the lake is busy asphalt, east may be some gravel but wasn't bad.

One of the worst roads I've ever encountered was Atyrau to Aktobe. About 400 miles of relentless and pretty boring washboard, sand, and general rough going. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it's smooth asphalt by now?
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Old 21 Jul 2017
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Originally Posted by IanC View Post
Don't remember it as bad, two years ago. North of the lake is busy asphalt, east may be some gravel but wasn't bad.

One of the worst roads I've ever encountered was Atyrau to Aktobe. About 400 miles of relentless and pretty boring washboard, sand, and general rough going. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it's smooth asphalt by now?
Thanks Ian.

So, you would say no worse than the road North of Almaty towards Oskamen an Semey ? (I did it 4 years ago and it is much worse now. Apparently they will start resurfacing it in 2018).

We have already decided best to go to Ural then down to Atrayu as the other road from Aktobe still appears to be bad.


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Old 21 Jul 2017
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I can't honestly remember Bruce. My main memory is of about 100 miles off road construction north of Almaty, it went on forever, and very busy!
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Old 28 Jul 2017
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Originally Posted by BruceP View Post
Any one have a recent update on road conditions on the north route around Isdyk kul?

Our bikes (and us) are still shook up from Mongolia and the road to Almaty.

Is this route asphalt, or gravel ? If asphalt what condition compared to Oskamen to Almaty.

If gravel, what condition ? And how much ? (KMs).

I can't afford to lose anymore bolts, it snap another frame bolt.

Failing the above route, is Bishkek to Taraz worth the detour ?

TIA



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Road was fine. The Kyrg roads are generally paved. Not too potholed.

We went to Kocknor and took a route over to Kara Bara that went through a gorge to the M41. Gravel for 70k, but we were committed by then.

There does seem to be a new road linking to the M41 further south, but as it did not exist on any maps (not even maps.me), we opted for the gorge, it was worth it.

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Old 1 Aug 2017
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Hi Bruce looks like i just missed you , left \Bishkek yesterday , my bike lives in Osh , i will be back there in 6 weeks but i suppose you will be long gone
regards zebb
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Old 3 Aug 2017
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Hi Bruce looks like i just missed you , left \Bishkek yesterday , my bike lives in Osh , i will be back there in 6 weeks but i suppose you will be long gone
regards zebb
Yes, long gone. Back in Russia now (Saratov). I should have thought on and checked if you were around.

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Old 7 Sep 2017
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Originally Posted by IanC View Post
Don't remember it as bad, two years ago. North of the lake is busy asphalt, east may be some gravel but wasn't bad.

One of the worst roads I've ever encountered was Atyrau to Aktobe. About 400 miles of relentless and pretty boring washboard, sand, and general rough going. Though I wouldn't be surprised if it's smooth asphalt by now?
This is a Shortcut )) The better way (a bit longer, but faster) through Uralsk. Google maps wrongly make a route directly, but the road is nightmare...
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Old 7 Sep 2017
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Originally Posted by BruceP View Post
Any one have a recent update on road conditions on the north route around Isdyk kul?

Our bikes (and us) are still shook up from Mongolia and the road to Almaty.

Is this route asphalt, or gravel ? If asphalt what condition compared to Oskamen to Almaty.

If gravel, what condition ? And how much ? (KMs).

I can't afford to lose anymore bolts, it snap another frame bolt.

Failing the above route, is Bishkek to Taraz worth the detour ?

TIA



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As you already wrote in overall the roads in good conditions. Nothing to worry about if you driving some kind of adventure bike. There are some gravel in this area before Kazakhstan border near Kegen (Kaz side). All over way aroud the lake is good. Oskemen to ALmaty is most worst road in Kazakhstan (part near Sarkand and Ucharal). Near the same condition is the part to Astana from Almaty (near Balkhash lake).
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