Barnaul – Rubtsovsk

14th July 2014      19’C        320km
Barnaul – Pospelikha – Rubtsovsk

I left Barnaul at 930am, stopping briefly for fuel before continuing down the Russian A349 towards Rubtsovsk.
The road was smooth, flat and generally pretty boring, although the fields of sunflowers were very nice to ride by.

After a cheap but disappointing lunch in Pospelikha, I rode the last 100km into Rubtsovsk. I did three circuits around the hotel before I was able to find the entrance, and even then, still had to get off and walk to be able to get close. Finally after finding reception I was shown a basic room and took my standard walk around town.

Rubtsovsk seems to have more going on that Barnual, despite it being a much smaller city. There were people out on the street, walking, friends catching up, etc. Where in Barnual the streets were quite (with the exception of the guys doing noisy laps of town in their hotted up cars)

Tonight I prepare for entering Kazakhstan tomorrow.

Russia has been a real surprise, and I’d have liked to stay longer and explore more of the country. The Russian people are amazingly hospitable and friendly, and I’ve been always been made welcome everywhere I’ve been.