Way to Russia Talk Lounge

mev · Frequent Guest Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 28

I saw news reports at end of February 2004 about a new road opened from Chita to Khabarovsk, making it possible to travel entirely by road from Moscow to Vladivostok. The road is not yet entirely sealed and further work scheduled through 2008.

Does anyone have additional information about this road, or pointers on where to find additional information? In particular, I am in early stages of exploring a possible bicycle trip across Asia and looking at feasability of various routes.

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

WayToRussia · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 12:51 am Post subject:

What we heard here in Russia (and saw on TV) is that the route is completed, so it is useable by anything that has wheels, but some parts of it are not asphalted yet. I think it would be possible to bike along this route, although I don't know about the infrastructure there (hotels, places to eat, etc.) -- I would expect it's not well developed yet and the distances between cafes, for example, would be quite long, so you would need to take care of your food supply and camping equipment. Also, during winter the climate is very harsh, so it's better to attempt such trip only between mid June - mid August, when it is relatetively warm.

mev · Frequent Guest Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 28

I recently bicycled from Chita to Khabarovsk, and hence will help answer a question I asked here three and a half years ago.

The road from Chita to Khabarovsk is open. The distance is 2165km and at least 1500km of this is unsealed gravel roads. The worst parts of this gravel road are from 350km from Chita until 1250km from Chita. After Skovordino the road starts to get better and after Shimanovsk the gravel roads are better and there is periodically asphalt roads. There are cafes along the route. Perhaps the largest gaps between cafes are 150km or so. There are also stops to buy things. There are many places for tire repairs, so bringing extra tires is also recommended.

Much of the traffic on this road are automobiles that have been imported from Japan to Vladivostok and with "transit" tags on the windshields. Some of these cars travel quickly, raising much dust or after rains, much mud. We had several days of rains, and some of the roads were much more muddy and slippery. Many of these cars have tape applied to them to protect the finish. We did not see signs of "bandits" or burned up automobiles that have occasionally been told in second hand reports. The drivers we met were generally friendly and curious about us on the bicycles (except for the few driving much too fast and too close on the gravel).

In 2004 it was reported that this road will be asphalt by 2008. From what I've seen it will be quite a bit later. However, there is still a lot of impressive road works that have been done. A lot of grades cut out of hills or spread across the low spots. Many new bridges and still others under construction. This is a massive road works project with much done but also still much to be completed before the entire road is asphalt.

Thank you to those in WayToRussia forum for helping answer my questions about the road and similar questions.

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXYagU_SnmI

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=700N0FDkcHE

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt8Ky7TH1rg

DITTRICH · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:56 pm Post subject:

Those roads ain't THAT bad!
Anyway the trick is to go so fast you just "fly" over the holes Razz

Les