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the right side of the S5 and took our time , stopping for fresh fruit and a head count before turning right and making our way to Singhnagi . Perched on the hill from a distance , you could be mistaken for thinking it ’ s an Italian village . Popular with tourist coaches we meandered the cobble stone streets to our guesthouse .
A walk before dinner around the old town and across the old stone fortress walls that encumbers the city before a feast of delicious Georgian food . Day one vibes and spirits were high , and a few well-deserved glasses of home-made wine were very much appreciated by the group .
We started from our guesthouse in Singhnagi in the southeast and found ourselves in Shatili to the northeast . It was a very big day as we crossed the Datvijvari Pass in the snow , it was sloppy , slippery and spectacular . A few popped the dropping the bike cherry in the difficult riding conditions , for me I was reluctant to hang shit on anyone too soon , as I had no doubt my day would come .
Lunch was on the way to Shatili . Khinkali ; it was delicious , the weather however not so . It rained all morning and with the rain , landslides , torrential rivers and that was just the ones crossing the road . The Arghuni river was angry and the destruction evident , it was so loud and ferocious . An active mud slide caused some delays for us , getting the bikes through the knee-deep soupy mud and rock was a challenge that the less experienced riders including myself left to the pro ’ s . Even the more experienced riders found it challenging as the rain caused more rock and mud to come down .
After climbing Datvijvari Pass in the most horrible , unfavourable motorcycle riding conditions , we came to the most remote toilet I ' ve ever seen and , on the hillside , looking through the valley stood Lebaiskari Tower , used to spot intruders back in the day . Here we were , very fortunate to reach some sunshine . It ’ s incredible how one side of the mountain can be atrocious and the other absolutely bloody stunning !
Revelling in the sunshine , we followed the Arghuni River right up to Shatili , only one mountain range from the border of Russia . The Shatili fortress high in the Caucasus Mountains was in in good repair and was impressive to look at , the landscape surrounding it was insane .
The following morning , we were to back track , hoping the road had been cleared , the snow melt not too severe and everyone made it back down without incident .
After descending from the high pass , travelling down from the north of Georgia the roads were awesome . All the roads in the mountains were the best motorcycling roads .
It was a good feeling to arrive in Gori where a very comfortable hotel awaited us . Exploring the city
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