Feasible plan?
 

Hello, I have the beginnings of a plan formulating, although I'm sure that it'll not be as easy as I imagine.

Here's the thing..

I was travelling by motorbike last summer, no plan, a rough idea to head East, maybe find work in Australia. Things didn't work out quite like that, cut a long story short, I traveled Europe and Turkey for three and a half months, met the right(?!) people and now I'm volunteering in Poland. My project ends in two and a half months, and I'm eyeing up Mongolia as the next destination. I've found somewhere I can work, for food and accommodation, and I'd love to take the bike there, or as much of the way as I can, across Russia.

Ok, the details.. My bike is a fifteen year old suzuki bandit 600, still alive and kicking, although not 100%. I have £2500 of my savings left, and I need to get visas (I'm British, need visas for Russia and Mongolia) and new tyres before even leaving Poland. My bike can only manage around 150miles per tank of fuel - how frequent are fuel stations in Russia? I was planning on taking the trans siberian highway as far as lake baikal, and then heading to ulanbaataar, and, if possible to the town of "Moron"(?), although I understand there aren't so many tarmac roads in Mongolia. I can ride on dirt tracks, just wondering about fuel again!

It's a hash of a plan, well, I don't like plans so much anyway, but maybe it could work, I'd love to give it a go. However, if it's completely unattainable I can leave the bike in Poland and jump of the trans siberian railway, which would also be a good laugh I think!

Basically, can somebody with a bit of experience let me know how realistic this idea is, with the budget I have. I have no fear about the bike, it can handle anything ;)

Thanks a lot!

Andy

Go for it. If you need any info on Mongolia, I can help
Goodluck

150 miles tank range will get you to Moron ... just make sure you go by Darhan and Erdenet and grab fuel wherever you can

Aha, awesome, thanks for the replies, much appreciated!
So, even with my budget and my old road bike, this is possible, if I'm camping a lot? Definitely encouraging!

Gunnermon, I'll be in touch with any Mongolia related queries I have, cheers! Although, perhaps you know what the roads are like if I follow the route suggested by colebatch.

I'm thinking I can reach Moron from Poland in three weeks, not riding too hard, maybe a month, is this more or less an accurate guess? Cheers!

Hi Drew,
From the border town of Altanbulag to Khuvsgul Lake, it's little over 800 km, more or less the first half is paved road & remaining half is dirt track over which more new roads are being built. Yes, as Colebatch suggested, you'll be going to Darkhan - 120 km from the border - Erdenet - 180 km - Bulgan - 60 km - Murun - 360 km - Khatgal - 105 km etc.

hi Andy
sounds interesting...
It means you are going to start at the beginning of June right? Im going to do Japan, but will start in July. Anyway Andy are you in Warsaw? Let me invite you for a coffee. I know nice place for Russian visa. 5 days, no problem. Regards - Romek sq5rk (at) o2.pl

Unless you have a written Residency permission for 90 days+ in Poland you will have to apply for your RUS visas in UK

Tony, Im afraid you are wrong. Ask last summer for visa for my Swedich friend. No problem for EU citizen, without ANY additional conditions. Funny was because tourist office in Malmo or Stockholm told him that he has to book at least first night in hotel. Sure hotel from their list. Short list, and expensive :)

Different terms apply to different nationalities.
The EU is not a nationality.
That may have worked for a Swedish citizen or maybe even all Schengen zone citizens (Britain is not a Schengen member).

British citizens applying for Visas in EU member countries other than Britain have been asked to produce proof, (registration or permit) of 90+ days Residency in that country. (I know of recent examples of this happening in Spain and several Baltic countries).

This Residency Right must be more specific documentation for a British applicant, than just the EU 'rule' that some EU citizens have a general right to live in other parts of the EU.

Andy needs to check this out for himself, in good time, with the Russian Embassy Visa people in Poland where he hopes to obtain his visa.

Very true, despite the best efforts of the Brussels beaureaucracy.

In diplomatic terms the UK does not have the best of relationships with Russia, (outstanding extradition requests and expat Russian oligarchs based in the UK for example) - I agree, checking the visa requirements for any country with regard to your own nationality and the rules as of today is sound advice.

Tony P is correct - Uk resident has to apply for visa in UK - ONLY exception is as per Tony's post (or you have diplomatic immunity :biggrin3: )

This comes about from strained relations (diplomatically, not on the street) resulting in "tit for tat" regulation retaliation.

I believe this one followed the British stopping postal applications for UK visas and demanding every applicant attend an Interview Centre in person. Fine?
Well think of a family of 4 in Vladivostock thinking of visiting UK. They all have to fly to the nearest Centre. It is in Novosibirsk, half way across Russia - a total of nearly 46,000 kilometers to travel just to get the visa. Visiting UK is on top of that.
No wonder Russia gets pissed off and adds more restrictions for Brits.
Alastair Campbell's Government's attempts at rock gardens in Moscow parks didn't help either!

hello gentelman.
Just phoned a minute ago and ask what they think about Russian visa for UK citizen. Hmm, there is one difference. You have to wait up to 10 days. For me 5 days only :) Talked to Russian lady in Embassy, and with well known in Warsaw Russian tourist office. Thats it.

Interesting indeed.


Not doubting you, but did she understand the possibility of the applicant only being a 'transit' visitor to Poland ? What documentation would a UK citizen have to produce?

A number of UK ex-pats living here (Russia) continuously for years on back to back visas have been refused visas in their regular visa-run destinations of Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius because they could not produce residency in the country of application.
The "EU right' to go to live there was not sufficient - it had to be demonstrated to be happening.
It would be useful if these people know they can go to Warsaw as being a nearer option than London.

Also I know of a UK applicant in France having to produce his Carte de Sejour (required residency permit for people living there) - similarly in Spain.

Tony, only way to check it is try to do it. Ooops, was it understable ? :) Yes, asked few times, and told them he is as a visitor here in Poland, UK is in EU but not in Shengen. Answer was, ok no problem. Paperwork: simple form to fill and photo.