The Great Game Expedition - Overland Across Central Asia 2013
 

Hello Everybody

I'm an adventurous chap 20,000 miles into 25,000 plus mile solo overland expedition through Central Asia in 2013. Join Boris (my car), Kiwi Ted (my mascot) & I on our adventures.

I'm in the middle of a unique overland 4x4 trip from London to China and back, through Central Asia. I've travelled from London to Russia where I joined the Silk Road and headed east to China though the "Stans". I have since travelled south via Laos to Malaysia in South East Asia.

After shipping the vehicle to India I've headed west via India, Nepal, Pakistan, to Iran. Turkey and finally Europe to London is the last part.

This is a unique expedition that combines one of the great overland journeys with a fantastic historical narrative. I will be taking on the challenge to share this amazing adventure as the expedition unfolds.

Expedition Vision

To explore present day Central Asia along the former Silk Road routes, retracing the steps of the players and the historical events of The Great Game. Through the interaction with the local people, cultures and landscape, the aim is to compare and contrast the historical version with modern day Central Asia.

It's been one hell of a journey so far. Crazy ferry rides across the Caspian, cricket matches in northern Afghanistan, China's worst storms in 30 years and a failed gearbox in Iran to name just a few of the stories adventures.

You can follow the journey via my:
Website: Big O's Adventures
Facebook: Big O's Adventures
Twitter: @BigOAdventures
Youtube: BigOAdventures

Cheers

Jonny / Big O

p.s Apologies for the late update to the HUBB. I've been posting but didn't get around to set up the trip report etc. Better late than never.

Hi All,

Here is the link to my recent post on my woes in Iran. Disaster Strikes in Iran, The Nightmare before Xmas (in Zahedan) & The 6 Disciples of Boris | Big O's Adventures

I'm getting close to the end of my visa and hopefully close to fixing the problem here in Tehran. I'll post the update from my website when it goes live.

Jonny

Hello All,

A Happy New Year from Dogubayazit in Turkey.

Looks like I'm out of the Iranian fire and into the 'Dog'ubayazit box. Haha. Sorry poor joke but it made me laugh.

Well I've finally made it out of Iran. It wasn't quite the way I'd planned it.

With a 3rd gearbox failure in 5 weeks it was time try and find another solution. So after sleeping in the car again I was picked up by my trusty recovery truck driver Amir and we headed northwest 300kms to the border with Turkey. At 5pm today in a first for the expedition I pushed Boris over the border into Turkey near Dogubayazit. Not exactly a triumphant entry / exit but successful nonetheless.

Now the word is out and I'm trying to source a new gearbox system, a new mechanics and a truck transporter (to wherever the mechanic is) Erzurum, Anakara and Istanbul are the likely options, with Istanbul being the favourite.

How long will I be in Turkey is difficult to predict. My lonely planet says its not so straightforward for me to leave without Boris, even temporally.

It looks like all those fans that were getting worried their daily fix of expedition drama was going to end have had a reprieve. I think its safe to say I will not be making it back for the 11th of January anymore. I suggest you all put January 18th in your diary for the time being. And perhaps the 25th the way things have been going.

I will updated you all as the adventure continues...

Big O, Boris and Kiwi Ted

Meanwhile here is the latest blog from Iran.

Merry Flippin Xmas - A Letter From Boris

And a picture of the crew taken at 2am the morning the gearbox failed for the 3rd time!!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n..._8476169_n.jpg

Here is a further update on my woes in Iran.

A Motivational Speech from Kiwi Ted – Fire It Up Big O!!

I've been in Turkey for 10 days. Tomorrow I head for Greece to meet a mechanic and parts that are coming from the UK.

Hi All,

Well, I was a few weeks later than planned but I managed to make in back to London in one piece. After 9.5 months driving to China and back I've now parked up and taken a well deserved break from driving. 24,000 miles will do that to you.

Here is the blog of my arrival back at the gates of the RGS. Great Game Over – Leg 5 & Expedition Complete!! | Big O's Adventures

Jon

Glad you and the truck made it back eventually!

What was the fault in the transmission after?

The gearbox failed which damaged the central shaft and the torque converter. We tried to rebuild it twice in Tehran and it failed twice more.

To be honest I'm not sure we'll ever know the exact cause.

What did you replace in the end to get it to stay working?