Sunday 11th August Trains, Dogs, Prayers and the first tough climb. After camping in some rough ground behind a petrol station, we were woken around 5ish with freight trains rattling along, incisive dog barking and morning prayers. So it was an early start, with a bowl of museli and yogurt. Then on the road just after 6,heading for Kokand around 105 miles away, though this may have to be amended as there was a lot of climbing today. First part was just a steady climb, going through little villages and towns. We stopped at a small town Angren for a coffee and water, once again we were short of Uzbekistan SOMS, located a bank but it was closed (Sunday), though this time we did have US dollars. As we went further the road ramped up a little, nothing to serious, stopped for a photo shoot with some Chinese students, by the dam on the lake, exchanged contact details,, as they may come in handy when we enter China next week. As we got closer to the major climb, we stopped a tiny shop sat in the shade, chatted with the owner, we managed to exchange some us dollars for SOM, least we could eat! The owner wanted to take us fishing in the river below, no time so we said are thanks, done the selfie and moved on, to the infamous switch backs. As we started climbing the signs just repeated themselves 12% for the next 2km, then again and again. We just got into the rhythm and rode, we stopped for water and ice cream what was about third of the way up. After the normal photo shoot on we went, up and up through some terrific scenery and horrendous switchbacks, every one waving and tooting there horns, cars and lorries breaking down as we carried on climbing. On we went Keith leading the them myself, Linney at the back, only due to all the pictures he was taking and the selfies he was in. As we waited at the top (hopefully) there was a tunnel with an army patrol guy who made a cross with his arms, keith went over to see the guy, while I was taking photographs, Keith thinking we was not allowed through the tunnel,it transpired we were not allowed to take photographs in the tunnel, no problem. We went through the tunnel and the nest one then started the decent,stopped for lunch before the descent got going and discussed our options. Decided to go for Kokand and book a hotel, I said no problem we will be there before 7, this was at 4 :30 with over 40 miles to go! We started the descent and it was worth all the climbing, wide roads pretty good surface, though Linney hit a pot hole which made his handle bars drop a little. After less than 3/4 we had covered half the distance to Kokland, the shout went up do we want to stop, carry on was the replay. Though the road flattened out we still kept up the pace, riding hard. As we enter the busy city, Linney switched into overdrive trying to skip lights and jump the queues as normal I tend to hang back then, which nearly caused a pile up between Keith & I, but with good skills he managed to avert the danger. As we pulled up to the Silk Road Hotel, it was 6:59, done it easily, I went thorough the booking in process, they assured us we could pay by MasterCard in the morning, they also gave us a complementary beer. Really nice hotel, so after a nice shower it was down to the restaurant for another well earned beer and some good food.