Best Riding Weather in Russia?
 

Anyone have any advice concerning the best time of the year to ride across the Russian Far East and Siberia? Obviously the winter months are out of the question, but when does it warm up enough, when is the driest (least muddy) season, when is the scenery the best, etc?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike
Idaho

For Northern-Siberia the midsummer months sound a bit better - july and august.

I left London on my London-Vladivostok trip on July 1. Weather was excellent all the way. In Siberia you can expect rain at regular intervals during the summer, and the roads turn accordingly. At least there is no cold. Nights are pleasant, but take bug-spray. Russian bugs can be man-eating terrorists.

Mike: I wouldn't recommend Siberia later than August, or earlier than June. July and and August are your best bets. The first part of September might be OK, but also could be cold (below freezing at night) and snowy.

It snowed here (Ulaanbaatar) yesterday (September 16), and we're about 500 km south of those Siberian roads, so it's probably even colder up there. The temperature here last night was -2 C.

Hope this helps.

-Scott

I went in in August and the weather was good, but those crossing in June reported rain almost everyday. The mountain climbing season in Kazakstan ends on the 1st of sept, the weather did change the next week dramatically. It would have been colder up north.

so basically I am saying the same things as the previous replies.

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

It is worth the effort and very big, and the mosquitoes are ferocious.

alec

Thanks to all of you for your advice, I greatly appreciate it. Sounds like mid-summer is the time to go.

Mike
Idaho

I can vouch for what Scott said. I got delayed by various crap and ended up doing Irkutsk to Novosibirsk in early October. It was fu@king freezing. At best it got to +2 or 3 in the day (about 2pm), and each morning when you woke up it was about -10 celcius. I ended up riding with one handor the other resting on the engine block the whole way to keep warm (no heated grips) and despite heating the boots up by the fire every morning, withing 45 mins they were ice cold again and you ride the day with frozen feet.

Hello Let also to me to insert the word into your conversation. In Siberia the summer is much shorter than at us in Vladivostok. Practically it lasts only one month - July. In August quickly becomes cold, very cold nights and without a warm jacket even it is impossible to go on city, and by a motorcycle to go completely not comfortably. If you go from Europe that plan all so to cross Siberia in July. By August you will be in Vladivostok, and at us and in September even the real summer http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

And still some remarks: I cannot understand for what reason ALL foreigners go the same route through Mongolia?
I understand that it very interestingly, the eyes to see the Middle Ages and will get acquainted to this proud and independent country (independent Mongolia because from it in the world for a long time that does not depend http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif), but you lose much. In Siberia the remarkable nature, and fine cities. Practically all who goes through Mongolia do not see Siberia. They pass through this broken unfinished line Chita - Khabarovsk and then think that Siberia is one continuous road in a dirty and hummocks and absence of a civilization http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

And a line Chita - Khabarovsk still Not soon will complete. Her 10 years build and as much again will be likely http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

The recommendation - change a route! And who through Siberia to pass in the winter wants, those can look here this cartoon film

http://flash.udaff.com/flashka.php?id=14

4,5 mb

look, whether and then already think it is necessary to go on such feat!? Also excuse for my English


[This message has been edited by Daana Rafalasko (edited 21 November 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Daana Rafalasko (edited 21 November 2004).]

Thanks for posting the above informationa and advice. I'm quite surprised that you say August is so cold in Siberia. If I understand you correctly, that contradicts other information I've received on the Siberian climate. My plan is to arrive in Vladivostok in early August, hopefully attend the "Facing the Sea" internaional motorcyclists gathering sponsored by the Vladivostok motorcycle club in mid August, then continue on a direct as possible route across Siberia, eventually exiting Russia via Latvia. Is this plan unreasonable because of the weather (comments by anyone would be appreciated)?

I don't plan to go to Mongolia, and appreciate your advice on that.

Thanks again.

Mike
Idaho

Mike, its do-able, like I said above I left Irkutsk in early October and was in Latvia by November 13. The question is more "will it be fun"

If you took less than 6 weeks to get from Vladivostok to Irkutsk, you will be ahead of my schedule, so its clearly possible, but it will start getting shilly from early September onwards. I crossed from Mongolia to Siberia on September 10 and it was not warm then, with snow on the mountain tops around Lake Baikal (looked pretty though :-)

www.TokyotoLondon.com


[This message has been edited by colebatch (edited 23 November 2004).]

In August trip through Siberia is quite possible, though it not such pleasant time for travel, as July. Cool in Siberia in August. In any case if you plan to arrive to us on festival - that welcome, here I shall not dissuade you, differently Sinus me will kill http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif Will pass past past do not pass. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

p/s Also do not overlook to teach a phrase ß íå ìîãó áîëüøå ïèòü! (I cannot drink more!) before going through Russia. It is useful! As the knowing person I speak!

[This message has been edited by Daana Rafalasko (edited 23 November 2004).]

Daana, thanks for the tip on declining more vodka - I'll need that phrase! Actually, I've been worried about being offered vodka frequently in Russia, as I understand it is a custom. I don't drink distilled liquor of any kind since it makes me ill. Is it possible to decline the offer of vodka altogether without offending the persons offering? If so, what does one say?

I realize this is now off-topic, but since the subject came up and it's been worrying me, I thought I would ask; hope no one minds.

Thanks.

Mike
Idaho

[This message has been edited by liketoride2 (edited 25 November 2004).]

Dont worry about the vodka...you will soon learn how much you can handle and well the more often you drink the better at handling it you get..giggle giggle...if you drink too much you get sick! But thats normal. Just make sure you have lots of apple juice as chasers...and stay away from carrots.

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 25 November 2004).]

The ridiculous theme has gone. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif Actually who will not be offended if you will not drink in the company of vodka. But without alcohol here there is no conversation, a campaign on a visit, a casual meeting in the street and so on If you do not want to drink vodka simply refuse - people will start to laugh and joke but it will be not a malicious sneer. Neither who nor whom does not force.

If there is a desire to not drink vodka but to be with everything, buy beer or port during the next wine party and drink it is a little. Everyone will understand, though different people are, but basically understand....
p\s And if you have gathered on " the Person to ocean " that there to drink it will be necessary necessarily http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif Without it as

[This message has been edited by Daana Rafalasko (edited 25 November 2004).]

hello there,

but how does it looks like in the spring? when does he start or better is it possible to start riding in vladivostock haeding west (Khabarovsk-Chita) in midd april. Im more interessted in the roadconditions then in the tempreture. still snow?
Because we are riding a 3-wheel motorbike and its not really a kind of off-road bike, (f.e. the engine is located very low). whats about crossing rivers, how many of them and at this time of the year still a lot of water in?

i heared that common cars pass this stretch without problems. are this car 4x4?

o.k., guys... thank for informations

DAN