925km in nearly 2 weeks. It took too long. It was not only because of short daytime, or cold weather. The condition of the bike was terrible. The front wheel has been strange ever since I left Tajikistan, but now it's apparently broken. The ride was getting more and more strange and heavy. I hoped of finding a good bicycle shop in Tehran all the way. 
Besides, I had so many opportunities of invitation by Iranians on the way, for tea, for a party, for staying in their houses. They invited me so casually, treated me so well, and didn't expect any return from me. Their hospitality was amazing. It sometimes made me feel rather embarrassed, as I thought I should pay or do something for return, but they never let me.
Iranians are really kind, friendly, and sincere. I'm not saying so only because I got so much food from them or got invitation. I feel so in their attitude. Not all of them, of course. There were some ass holes too. But majority of them were like that.
Policemen gave me welcome honks from their cars and waved at me on the route. A truck driver let me get in the assistant driver's seat to warm up while it was snowing and I was wet and dirty. A student took me for a drive around the city, treated me ice-cream and pizza, let me stay in his apartment, and his aunts cooked me such nice meals for lunch, while I was just a stranger. An old man let me stay in his hut when I was looking for a place to camp, and treated me tea and food which I didn't know where he got from outside. I experienced all those in these two weeks. And more.
I liked mosques along the route. They were resting places for drivers, not only for praying. You can find a toilet, buy food or eat meals, or even sleep at night. I was always happy to see the signboards of mosques. There were some interesting ruins along the route. I enjoyed the scenery of desert as usual. However, it was Iranians who were the most impressive to me on the way.
15-28 2008 Dec, Mashhad-Tehran, Iran, 11377km-12302km (925km)
