Bikepacking Mongolia: An Epic Adventure

When the author and his friend set out to bike across Mongolia, a country known for its harsh climate and sparse population, they're up for the challenge-and more than prepared for the trek from the capital city of Ulaanbaatar to the rugged Altai Mountains in the west.

With no tour guide and unreliable cell phone service, they pedal across wide-open grazing lands, visit Buddhist monasteries, and enjoy delicious local foods. When they find themselves stranded with limited supplies, they're delighted by the kindness of strangers, who take them in and share what little they have.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking: the intrepid pair must reach the western mountains in time to attend the annual Golden Eagle Festival, where centuries-old Mongol and Kazakh traditions come alive in a modern-day celebration.

This travel adventure is a test of endurance and sheer will-and a firsthand account of daily life-in a land as generous as it is unforgiving.