Mongolia... Cycling tours

The biggest problem in Mongolia for cycling would be a strong and constant headwind...

I've not cycled in Mongolia but I used to cycle a lot and know what difference the wind can make. While driving in Mongolia I've seen poor souls heading on a road with 100km or more to go to the next attraction, zero shelter, and a 30 kmph headwind that will last for days. Absolutly exhausting work.

Remember that the wind in Mongolia mainly blows from the north or the north-west. Take a look at some of those dune-fields on google earth in the west and south of the country to get the general idea... Rarely wind will blow from the south (in my experience, if this happens for a day or two in the Gobi with warmer humid air then you will be in for a big sandstorm on day 3).

The majority of cycle tourists I have seen are riding from UB to Kharkhorin (heading west) or from UB to Moron or Terkiin Tsagan Nuur (north and north west). These guys are definitly doing it the hard way. If you must do a long-leg of just 'getting somewhere' then fly or get a jeep out and ride BACK to UB with the wind behing you. Another wind-assisted ride would be from Bayan Olgii to Altai as winds normally blow down the valley of the lakes.

One thing to be aware of (ignoring the fact that even the Mongolian Government accepts that MIAT's internal flights are not up to par on safety) is that internal flights only let you take 20kg of baggage on-board. I be very surprised if they gave you an extra allowance for a bike as 'sporting equipment'...