Our cycling adventure begins with a striking contrast: from the bustle of the capital, we escape into the silence of Kyzyl-Oy village via the Chon-Ashuu Pass. Those seeking an immediate thrill can make their first descent on bikes directly from the pass, breathing in the crisp, thin mountain air. The main route winds along the turbulent Kokomeren River, where the gravel road snakes between majestic red cliffs and deep canyons. This is an ideal warm-up: 25 kilometres through Martian landscapes, ending at the foot of a high-altitude plateau. We spend the evening in a guesthouse, recovering before our first serious encounter with the heights.