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dhaynes
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Feb 2005
Posts: 6
Location: Montana
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 Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:52 pm Post subject: Any dual-sport/adventure riders out there? |
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Anyone who wants to (or has already) ride in or across Russia?
I'm an advanced/expert rider (http://dphaynes.smugmug.com). I've got an '04 GS Adventure and would like to know if anyone is planning such a trip for '06.
I have no clue what the road situation is. I've read a few ride reports and I know it's possible to cross even in winter (and on Harley junk no less!)
Any thoughts/experiences on shipping/licensing a bike there vs. buying one and reselling it would be helpful.
Last time I traveled there I visited Baikal. This time I'd like to see Vladivostok and Sakhalin. I can speak a very tiny bit of Russian, and I can read it with a dictionary. I'm not big on camping, prefer to stay in good hotels. I'm a non-smoker and I do not mix drinking and riding.
Anyone else out there crazy enough to think about such a ride? |
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vorteks
VIP
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 571
Location: European Union
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:31 pm Post subject: |
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| How did it go with the contacts i gave you last summer dhaynes? |
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dhaynes
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Feb 2005
Posts: 6
Location: Montana
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:11 am Post subject: If I recall properly... |
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...(I am growing old and forgetful though  ) the contacts you mentioned were not in the specific areas I would like to visit. I did appreciate the suggestions though. (I can't remember exactly as I can't locate the post/e-mail)
I've found are some fascinating websites on the railroads (both Circumbaikal and Sakhalin Island) and trying to find out if the railroad right-of-ways might be passable on a motorcycle.
I'm really hoping to run into someone who has ridden in Russia, since attitudes, security and highway conditions are much more critical than if I were flying or driving a car. I was planning to ride to Alaska this summer and perhaps take a quick jaunt up to Kamchatka to get a taste for what it's like but a good friend of mine is ill and I spent most of my vacation time visiting with her. |
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vorteks
VIP
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 571
Location: European Union
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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| I know UsualSuspect (oz) is willing to do such a trip in 2006. I did the trip on a dual sport motorcycle from the mongolian border south of Ulan Ude (I started in Honk Kong) to Moscow. If you have specific questions, just PM me. You can get the travel log of the trip there : http://www.biketours.com.au/cgi-bin/cal/calendar.pl?view=Event&event_id=310 |
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UsualSuspect
WayToRussified
Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 324
Location: The Land of Oz
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| Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject: Have you tried.... |
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Vorteks,
It'll have to be in a Jeep now  ....
However, from my AMCN's (Oz bike rag) a couple who traversed Russia had help from The Iron Tigers MC in Vladivostok. Remarkably enough, one of the main men (SINUS - say SIN-OOS) was recently a guest here at chez brothel blokie in Oz as he is winding his way around the country.
On his web-site are his contact details and global mobile etc etc etc....
www.sinus.vl.ru and go from there.......
Be aware he may not answer straight away, and theoretically he'll be back in Russia in 2 1/2 months.......
Regards
Usualsuspect |
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dhaynes
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Feb 2005
Posts: 6
Location: Montana
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:30 am Post subject: |
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Wow! The pictures are amazing! I envy you, such an adventure! I see you also took pictures of the great broken bell and the ceremonial cannon there in Moskva, and the pictures of the fish vendor's tables along the lake made my mouth water... I would love to have some smoked omul! Unfortunately my knowledge of German is limited to what I could learn from "Hogan's Heros" so I can't quite read the comments. In particular the entry that goes: "16. Juni 04 Die Taiga
Entry: Ab Tajschet zeigt sich die Taiga von ihrer schoensten Seite. Sie ist in vollster Bluete. Immer wieder liegen einsame, idyllische kleine Orte an der Strasse. Wir geniessen jeden Kilometer."
I think I understand "idyllic" and I see it's in the taiga... but where is this place? It looks like heaven!
I notice that it is all small bikes except the one BMW GS. Was the size of the GS an advantage or a disadvantage? I also have an '04 KLR-650 Kawasaki - I just assumed the GSA would be a better bike for the long distances. Did you have a chase vehicle, or were petrol stations close enough that the bikes could make it on their own?
Thank you for the info - and for sharing the beautiful pictures! |
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dhaynes
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Feb 2005
Posts: 6
Location: Montana
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 5:07 am Post subject: Re: Have you tried.... |
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| UsualSuspect wrote: | On his web-site are his contact details and global mobile etc etc etc....
www.sinus.vl.ru and go from there....... |
Thank you for this info! I can only read his site slowly but it what little I have read sounds very interesting.
Thanks!
I also discovered this: http://www.whitenightsride.org.uk/ - this is a ride I would have wanted to go on! The reason I can't go on a long vacation this year is because a good friend has cancer - on that ride I could have helped people in a similar situation _and_ had a great adventure. What could be better? |
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vorteks
VIP
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
Posts: 571
Location: European Union
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="dhaynes"] | vorteks wrote: |
Entry: Ab Tajschet zeigt sich die Taiga von ihrer schoensten Seite. Sie ist in vollster Bluete. Immer wieder liegen einsame, idyllische kleine Orte an der Strasse. Wir geniessen jeden Kilometer." |
From Tasjschet, the taiga shows up its most beautiful side. It s blooming everywhere. Isolated, wonderful small areas all along the road. We enjoy every moment (kilometer).
That day we rode about 400 km to Krasnojarsk. Tajschet is 650 km north west of Irkutsk : http://encarta.msn.com/map_701516529/Siberia.html
You can use an automatic translator like babelfish to get an unnatural but understandable translation of comments.
The GS wasnt such a problem is Russia, much more in mongolia for crossing the Gobi. The 600 XT Yamaha, that the germans called "mopeds", is the best bike for traveling : reliable, simple, easy to repair, light...I used it for travelling around USA and Australia and it allowed me to concentrate on the landscape and people rather than mechanical problems. We did have a chase vehicule for luggage and spare parts, but we saw some few guys traveling alone or in pairs.
Regarding petrol stations, dont worry, they are everywhere along the main road. Unlike western countries, you ll have to pay upfront and find out how many liters you need before your fill up. |
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wisdumb
Just Starting
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 2
Location: east london,south africa
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:57 pm Post subject: Wow! I'd love to join you, maybe see you out there |
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I have an Aprila Pegaso 650 - I'm sure it was never designed for where I've taken it, but thus far its only done southern africa...
you take me in spirit. ride well, I envy you!
nah this aint shock - this is what my eyes look like after a dusty glorious day in the saddle! just like yesterday... |
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