Late start as Sohbet had to go at 9m to some official office and register my passport, after which we had breakfast (Sohbet & Murat have Coca Cola with every meal). Set off just before 11am in the rain and, as we turned West out of Balkanabat, into a strong head-wind. Not a fun day's riding.  Rain and headwind for first 40km – then overcast, cross-wind and occasional squalls for rest of day.  Pretty much flat – through featureless desert and desert scrub.  Telegraph poles and pylons marching parallel to the highway.  Little traffic.  Again – no sign of agriculture.  Nearing Bereket – a few lagoons by the roadside. Dusk falling, so at Bereket, we packed the bike in the car and drove 70km on to Serdar.