The Most Remote Place on Earth? | Cycling the World 39

The Most Remote Place on Earth | Cycling the World
While cycling in one of the most remote places on our world tour we meet Tobias, a German bike packer with whom we decide to tackle the next desolate stretch on the Pamir Highway to the town of Murghab. We experience the beautiful moonlike landscape of the Pamir Plateau... and when we do hit life we share some unforgettable moments with the locals.
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a Special Thanks 🙏🏼

[@WheelstoWander]

What is the remotest place you have ever been?

[@zirndorfredleg7688]

Top of a mountain on the Austrian/German border.

[@peacefulwife5199]

I think the most remote place I've experienced was going through the Badlands in South Dakota. I was driving alone. I stopped to get out to walk around a little and my mind was playing tricks on me. Hearing people talking, seeing movement ahead on the road that wasn't there. I was perfectly sober wide awake and ready to leave quickly. 😊

[@WheelstoWander]

That is a wonderful region! So many great memories travelling there 😊 Thanks for sharing!

[@WheelstoWander]

The Badlands! The name is spooky. I heard people disappear there without a trace... Interesting place nonetheless! Can imagine you wanted to leave a.s.a.p. Thanks for sharing!

[@andreferreira6035]

I'm not a big traveler....But i feel the most remote place i ever go was in the top of Serra da Estrela,Portugal....Beautiful place. Safe journey to you!!

[@spektrumB]

Despite the remoteness, the beauty of the land and its people is beyond words.

[@WheelstoWander]

It is for sure!! We would love to go back one day and explore more of this incredible place 👌🏼

[@spektrumB]

@@WheelstoWander A girl I know she lives about 80km pass Khorog. She married this year in May, and expecting a baby next year June. I probably will go there and visit her in autumn.

[@marcmaclellan3503]

just loving the stories unfold and your music and vistas also more ,important your on going connection with everyone its such a blessed way to be.thanks love marc from wales uk

[@jackfarris7056]

Maudi and Eric, thank you again for such a beautiful chapter. I have it so easy in the "developed" world where I live and work but I often suspect there is an emotional price I pay daily for these luxuries. Thank you for the glimpse into a part of the world that even without "modern conveniences" remains hospitable and full of honest smiles.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Jack! Our pleasure, great you got something out of it. We think it is about balance. We have become to attached (us included) to our luxuries. For sure there are lots of things we would not want to live without and there are also many things that clutter our lives. We see many people during our travels struggle in different ways and they still remain incredibly hospitable. They are far less attached to their possessions and are more happy to share. Valuable lessons in our opinion to regain a better balance, yet still not easy to override years "development" programming 😉 Thanks for the fascinating comment!

[@DonRousselPhotography]

I absolutely love this series of videos. A few days ago this video came across my feed and I was so impressed I've binge watched every video you've made. I watch a lot of biking/hiking/adventure vlogs and I must say this is the best I've seen. You guys are interesting to watch, your stories are great and you're both such wonderful photographers. The editing is magnificent and your honesty is refreshing, I just can't say enough good things. I can't wait for the next video!

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Don, What a absolutely wonderful (and crazy ;.) thing to hear! It's the biggest compliment we can get. We hope to always keep on growing/evolving and learn so much from the amazing inspirators/creators around us. Thank you for taking the time, your words mean the world! All the best, E&M!

[@skarthi52]

Fantastic! As ever, those who seem to have the least, are the most kind and generous. Loving your ongoing story guys. Greetings from Brazil. 😎

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Chris! Thanks so much 😊 We have met incredible warm people out there. What a special place to be. We wouldn't hesitate to do it again! All the best, E&M

[@xergioka]

Probably this is the most soul touching episode .

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Xergiok 😊 All the Best, E&M

[@SDebreuil]

Nice to see you meeting up with other travelers on the road, it's one of the great pleasures of cycling!

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Sandy! Yes, meeting other cyclist/travelers is a lot of fun. We never met so many as in the Pamir. Really nice to share the road for some time 😊 Thanks & All the best, E&M

[@Bernhard20Zoll]

s Hello, thanks for this super nice video. Many greetings,

[@teleanudaniel6986]

Guys, you are crazy in a good way! I really admire you, greetings from Romania!!!

[@WheelstoWander]

Haha, we like the sound of that😎✌

[@briantyhy4880]

bravo to the both of you. Congrats to the both of you for fighting through the hard times so you really enjoy and appreciate the good times cheers

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Brian! Thanks, a little bit of hardship here and there for sure helps with that 😅

[@juliahill998]

Thank you for making us travel with you during the length of the video! I love your work. Good ride ! Julia, cycling Taiwan now :)

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Julia! Our pleasure, nice to hear from a fellow cyclist! How is Taiwan for cycling? Good roads and Tailwinds!! E&M

[@moksrosii3016]

Wow! very nice to learn few things about the places you visit through both of you. Ride safe!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Moks! 🙏

[@stephensheppard]

Thank you for showing the life and human interaction in Murghab. A fascinating glimpse of this remote but still very human place.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Stephen! Murghab was founded in 1893 by the Russians as a military outpost. Wonderful to see how this small town is clinging on in such a remote corner. The people we stayed with spoke some english which made it all the more interesting.

[@oscarejdonovan]

Amazingly filmed! Super cinematic!

[@WheelstoWander]

Hey Oscar and Nadja! Thanks 😊

[@WyeExplorer]

What a spread they laid on in the end. It kind of summed up this whole section. Fantastic both. Mark

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Mark! It was a wonderful place to rest up a bit! And the food... simple, delicious and generous 😊 All the best, E&M

[@WyeExplorer]

@@WheelstoWander Aaah, that's nice.

[@dvm7632]

Very nice video images of the landscape, on bicycle, and human habitation.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi D vM! Thanks, we are happy you like it!!

[@pierrrejette9023]

You are such a cool couple. I have just started my own journey.2 months in and loving the adventure. Thanks for the video.my most remote place has to be outside Spatzisi park British Colombia.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thank you Pierre! Wonderful to hear you falling in love with the adventure. Spatzisi park looks incredible, one for the bucket list ;.) All the best, E&M

[@inwardjobs7359]

how is it that only 4000 people have watched this video - its incredible!!! Really great content.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks 😃 Maybe it will catch on a bit more... We are really happy that there is so much positive feedback!!

[@neiloliva1222]

You inspire me alot guys greetings from the Philippines 🇵🇭 🇵🇭 🇵🇭...

[@WheelstoWander]

Thank you Neil! That is great to hear 🙏🏼

[@MurielZaccuri]

I love your videos and the places in this one were stunning. And I have to content myself with a week along the Maas

[@WheelstoWander]

Hey Muriel, thanks! When are you going to the Maas?

[@MurielZaccuri]

@@WheelstoWander I've been cycling already 2 days. We are going toward Gorinchem today

[@waddo]

Another nice video and such delicious food. Makes you wonder how they can produce it in that barren looking landscape.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Waddo, Thanks 😊 There are trucks hurling by here and there with some basics. Also some crops grow but they really have to be creative. These people certainly did, simple and delicious every meal!

[@peacefulwife5199]

@@WheelstoWander , simple meals are always the best. For me, beans and cornbread.

[@Leadershipstories44]

Great video and love the culture you show of different people

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks, we love those parts too :-)

[@richardseeberger5970]

I have seen so many nice movies of you already, I admire you , fantastic. What kind of video equipment to you use ? Wish the best from Bavaria

[@angiemaasbach]

Awesome!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Angie 😃

[@MrJaree]

Stunningly beautiful

[@WheelstoWander]

We completely agree!

[@alexmorgan3435]

Cinematic quality video. A+++

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks so much Alex!! 😊

[@michaeledwards7967]

Hi Guys from Michael in Ireland. I really like your videos. They are really well put together. Editing is very good. You have clearly done this for a while. I am preparing for a through hike of the PCT in the US next year and am currently building a touring bike to head out on the bikepacking adventure when I get home in 2022. i hope to cycle from Ireland to China so I am particularly interested in your videos from the 'stans'. I know you have had lovely experiences (and hard ones too) but I really feel that what is great about your videos is that you both have lovely hearts. Go n-eiri an bothar libh (as we say in Ireland)

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Micheal! Thanks 🙏🏼 Great plans, the PCT is on our bucket list! The Stans are simply fantastic and our tip would be to learn some Russian. A lot of people and even children speak it and we missed out on some extra layers in conversation. Bon Voyage to you too, send us a picture sometime? E&M

[@abusabiya9956]

i still wait your journey because very interesting :)

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Anggani Sapria! We are happy you like it 😊

[@ascot1049]

Nice.

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks!

[@atmrtwbike]

I love the 'cinemascope' effect in parts of this video!

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks :-)

[@GrandKingdomofBristangolia]

We were in Murghab a few weeks after you! Incredible place

[@WheelstoWander]

It is isn't it! 😀 Did you have good weather? We were spared from severe weather conditions, only headwinds!

[@GrandKingdomofBristangolia]

@@WheelstoWander we had great weather! Couldn't complain

[@itsreallyrona]

Beautiful hospitable people.

[@WheelstoWander]

😊

[@fareedali7823]

Interesting to see Snicker bars being sold in a remote shop!

[@WheelstoWander]

You can buy them everywhere it seems like... We had a craving for those on the huge altitude climbs over here ;)

[@fareedali7823]

@@WheelstoWander so much for being remote 😅.

[@WheelstoWander]

Haha, well, it might be one of the remotest snicker bars one could find 😉

[@ridho.tithalul10]

Good Luck brother... still watching you video...

[@WheelstoWander]

Thank you Asrul! Nice to hear from you. Good to hear your still dialed in 😄

[@mll6300]

Hey guys, really enjoying your videos, what an adventure! What size wheel+tires did you have fitted for the Pamir highway?

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks! We had 26" wheels by 2,00" tires (Schwalbe Marathon / Mondial )

[@gkamphuis61]

Wat een geweldige gastvrijheid! Wat ik mij afvraag is hoe jullie deze mensen bedanken....geef je dan geld? Of verwachten ze dat ook?

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Gert! Ja absoluut... Nee meestal geven we geen geld (tenzij we zelf bvb. om eten of een slaapplek vragen). Niet omdat we dat er niet voor over zouden hebben maar omdat in onze ervaring mensen graag willen delen, gastvrijheid is in veel van deze landen erg belangrijk... En om daar geld tegenover te zetten kan ook als een belediging worden ervaren. Ons idee hierbij is 'pay it forward'...

[@BikeTall]

Such a great video as usual. What a remote & beautiful place. I am curious, what camera do you use & how do you charge your devices in such remote locations? I would imagine lighter equipment is better. Do you use gopro & smartphones as your main camera? I would imagine thats easier than lugging around a dslr & lenses. And do you have flexible solar panels to charge your batteries when out in the middle of nowhere?

[@WheelstoWander]

Thanks Bike Tall! We use the Sony A6000 with a 18-105mm lens and also a Sony FDR3000X Action cam. The main camera's are small mirrorless and give a good picture, we use them also for still photography. Our charging we do with 3 large powerbanks. That provides us with enough power to last us a week off-grid... and even longer if we are frugal with consumption. No need to worry about getting a panel out all the time! That said we would love to test solar in the future for a more self reliant scenario. We hope this is helpful? All the best!

[@zirndorfredleg7688]

Your journey is incredible, but most of all thank you for allowing the viewers to journey with you both.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Zimdorf Redleg! Thanks for the compliment, that is really cool to hear!!

[@murat_oguz]

Have a nice trip Happy New Year Hi brothers and sisters 

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Murat! Thanks and the same for you! Tailwinds

[@amidpoof]

It was interesting that they use those short dinning tables and sit on the ground like in old japanese movies.

[@WheelstoWander]

Ha, yeah! Very cosy sitting together like this. It was nice talking with people that way. More like a picknick 😉

[@jamessteam2051]

Hi Maudi and Eric. Just discovered your vlogs some days ago and almost watched all of them. You have a very funny style of vlogging and I like your humor and comments. Also the personal thoughts of how you feel when not everything is running well are touching. Very impressive travel route. Don‘t know if you answered this before somewhere, but how do you plan and navigate your route? The streets are always looking really way of, how do you find them? I also never see any maps somewhere..... you do everything with gps? Which app and maps you use? Ok, I wish you all the best for your journey stay safe and rock and roll......

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Hans! Thank you for wonderful comment! We use Maps.me with offline maps to navigate (GPS) on our phones (attached with a Quadlock system). We make a basic route on Bikemap.net and deviate all the time when we are in the moment. The basic route keeps us on a general course and helps with time management. Maps.me allows us to plot smaller and larger sections off and back on to our main course, or sometimes to completely somewhere else ;.) Everything can be used for free!! Hope this help!? All the best, E&M - rock & roll we will ;.)

[@jamessteam2051]

Wheels to Wander Great! Thanks for your answer. This navigations style leaves room for adventure like the one in Albania( Vlog 13), hahaha. Meanwhile Iˋm done with all your videos and waiting for a new one😉. Sees I got addicted to your Vlogs.......

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Hans! That sounds great, hopefully a healthy addiction 😉 It's a very simple navigation style and works like a charm. A battery bank in the backup and we hear some people even bring an old extra smartphone just in case! Merry Christmas 🎄 E&M

[@brendanwhite3731]

Hi love your bike venture in Lous and Thailland fabouls my Q would a bike trailer be of any good on your cycles Brendan IRL.

[@spektrumB]

Shall we see you two reaching the Akbaital Pass in the next video? Well, you can say Karakul is even more remote. As least in Murghab you still have cellular connection and a formal marketplace(and a Lenin statue), but not in Karakul. Lorries will head east to China after Murghab. Most of them won't go pass Karakul.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Spektrum B! You are right, Karakul looks even more remote in that huge valley with the beautiful lake and lack of facilities. In my experience though this was kind of the first step onto the plateau. After the Koitezek pass the feeling of remoteness really set in! Also the landscape was more moonlike which gave it that special atmosphere 😉 Ak Baital... next!!

[@kurmachanneltravel]

may I ask? how many inches are the tires?

[@ianmatlock1]

when you were in really isolated places like this, what did you do for drinking water?

[@WheelstoWander]

Good question! We source the cleanest looking water we can find from rivers/streams/lakes... or somebodies tap. Then we have 3 waterfilter options. First is a dedicated waterfilter (we are in the proces of upgrading our old one to probably a Sawyer Squeeze), second is boiling if the filter for some reason doesn't work and lastly water purification tablets if everything else fails (never needed them so far 🤞🏼). Hope this is insightful?

[@erikl.1860]

weer een mooi verslag! wat is de naam van je guesthouse in Murghab? Ik zie dat er verschillende guesthouses en hotelletjes zijn in Murghab, maar als jullie tevreden waren met jullie verblijf, dan moet ik niet verder zoeken. Ik ben mijn fietsreis naar China (2021) aan het voorbereiden op BaseCamp. Hoe valt het weer ginder mee deze tijd van het jaar? Ik zie op Windy dat het nu (8 december) 18 graden onder nul is????

[@WheelstoWander]

Dank je Erik! De naam is Home Stay Suhrob. Aan de prijzige kant maar erg leuk. We wilde eerst bij een budget aanbieder gaan zitten, helaas zatten die allemaal vol. Welk BaseCamp zit je of bedoel je gewoon thuis 😉 Wij zitten nu in Laos waar het net koud begint te worden in de avond. De Pamir is een grote vrieskist nu! Er zijn mensen die dat fietsen in deze tijd van het jaar... Bikkels!!

[@spektrumB]

Even small villages there usually will have more than one guesthouses/homestays. In Murghab the biggest "hotel" the Pamir Hotel will close in October and afterwards. There was a meter of snow already in November and temperature drops to -20C after sunset high up in the mountain. You will need a lot of guts to do Pamir Highway in the winter. Even if you don't mind to push your bike 100km to the next village in deep snow. I plan to do the reverse from Kyrgyzstan/Pamir Highway back home to Holland in 2022. Basecamp? Everest basecamp?

[@erikl.1860]

@@spektrumB I certainly don't want to end up somewhere during such cold temperatures, that's why I need to figure out when would be the best time of the year to start my trip (out of Belgium). I plan to leave in 2021. Basecamp is from Garmin: www.garmin.com/nl-BE/software/basecamp/

[@erikl.1860]

@@WheelstoWander bedankt. Ik heb het gevonden en al genoteerd (POI)! Nu ben ik inderdaad gewoon thuis. Ik bereid me voor voor mijn volgende reizen. In 2020 doe ik de klassieker 'Compostella', maar dan rij ik wel door naar Portugal, en dan langs de oostkant terug naar het noorden terug naar huis (België). Bedoeling is vooral om te kijken of ik de bergen aankan. Ik ben niet meer zo jong als jullie... In 2021 wil ik dan naar China rijden, waar ik 6 jaar gewoond heb. Basecamp is van Garmin: www.garmin.com/nl-BE/software/basecamp/ Veel plezier in Laos, en de rest van je reis!

[@WheelstoWander]

Hoi Erik! Wellicht is onze nieuwe aflevering een mooie inspiratie. Zeker voor ons... Het leeuwendeel van de Pamir gereden met Karl een Aussie/German van 70 lentes jong! Ongelofelijk inspirerende man 😊 En ook een eerdere episode met Raymond uit Frankrijk van 68 met meer dan 300.000km in de benen. Wauw!! Basecamp, we snappen hem nu ;.) Dank! Das een mooi doel naar China daar je er gewoond hebt!! Alvast veel plezier met alle voorbereidingen!

[@Hootyhoo-jq9vq]

I’m becoming culturally enriched. Thank you.

[@WheelstoWander]

That sounds great Hootyhoo 2018!

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

Hi guys its to me kinda interesting to wonder how many cyclists have been there ?, probably not a lot, do you ever think , o my god we are really out here , i think i would, but to keep a lid on my emotions i probably wouldn't want to think hard about it, so so exciting when you come to Scotland you need to come stay with me .

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi David! It is a pretty popular place for cyclists. We never encountered so many other cyclist on our tour than there. Really nice to meet up and travel a while with like minded folks! I (Eric) had a sense of being out there but not to the extent that it was overwhelming. Perhaps survival training helps 😉 Yes, for sure we would love to stay and chat the night away 👍🏼

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

@@WheelstoWander cool be safe.

[@danahsutton101]

What country is this? Thanks

[@georgemckinnon7134]

they are on the moon. please pay attention

[@HoytFergus]

Is this the most remote you two have been? Ty

[@WheelstoWander]

I think so yes!

[@HoytFergus]

@@WheelstoWander THANK YOU!!! 😁🙏

[@samuelklassen9685]

Do you know the instagram site from Tobias?

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Samuel! his account is: to_ho_1 Enjoy!

[@samuelklassen9685]

@@WheelstoWander Thanks! :)

[@alexmorgan3435]

Tobias' bike looks too small for him. He's a tall chap. Bakery woman was fantastic. Also the family you stayed with. Poor people compared to the west, who are a lot more generous. Poor in pocket, rich in heart and spirit.

[@WheelstoWander]

Hi Alex! He was really specific about his bike and I am not sure what exactly informed his choice of frame size. The people were in general really hospitable and warm. We loved it so much one day we would like to go back and cycle other parts as well! Thanks!