Friend down in Tajikistan (update: now heading for Kyrgyzstan)
 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...91153741_n.jpg

Derek's solo cycle ride from the UK to Himalayas has been interrupted by a collision with a SUV. If anyone is in Khorog in Tajikistan, I'm sure he would welcome a visitor!

https://www.facebook.com/dereksbiketour

http://www.dereksbiketrip.com/

Tim

Derek is slowly on the mend and has taken stock of what he needs to repair the bike. From what I can make out he's heading for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with the remains of the bike to 'regroup'.

His friends and I need to get stuff out to him—replacement panniers and rack, front forks, rim, etc. Details on the website: http://www.dereksbiketrip.com/

Any suggestions welcome.

Here are my quick thoughts (while changing plans in SIN, so not very concise):

Memo's wife is pretty well connected with customs in Bishkek. He could probably at least tell you the dos and don'ts off shipping. See

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-bishkek-71485

Wesley (www.facebook.com/wesley.rush.5), who also posted in the thread above, offered to shuttle parts from the UK in the summer. Not sure if he still makes the regular run.

Muztoo.com in Osh use Ortlieb pannier on their motorbikes. You might be able to work something out with them.

To be honest, I think the least stressful, safest and cost effective way to get the parts might be a flight home. At least to continental Europe there are cheap Turkish Airlines flights from Osh and Bishkek. Not sure about the UK. Added advantage is some R&R for Derek.

All the best,
boarder

Wonderfully helpful, thanks.

Hi,
If he gets the Turkish flight to İstanbul, can meet him at the airport for connection flight or transfer to city center or whatever can be done here in İstanbul.
Please let me know by pm. Wish him a fast recovery and be back on the roads very soon.

All the best.

Link to Turkish Airlines...Cheap flights until 30. nov......
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...k/IST01AFECFRU

Just left Bishkek last week, I'm in Moscow now.

Well I have friends in Bishkek who can help with welding ect ect and also a friend who imports regular so knows all custom rules.

To be fair I'm sure in Bishkek you can get what you need there and if not they can fabricate it up

If you are on Facebook would be easier to message me there and we can open a group message with my friends there.

If you (your friend) are really stuck for panniers I have soft panniers from my drz (ortlieb) that are the same as push bikers use that are currently in Bishkek which could be borrowed until March/April or brought for the cost of a new set as I need them come May.

Cheers Wesley

I've befriended you on FB, and you could do the same with Derek, his FB link https://www.facebook.com/dereksbiketour

Many thanks for the offer of help.

Tim

Yer just messaged him, it's only a push bike so should be a easy fix I'm sure and he will be back on the road.

I don't expect a reply back very soon whilst he is in Khorog as internet signal is super slow in the whole of Tajikistan apart from Dushanbe

The fabrications shops in Bishkek can do anything that's needed, they straightened a GS1200 rear side subframe, cut it and re-welded and even sprayed it black to match the rest of the bike on just one of the days I was there :thumbup1:

I'm concerned about what I've read of winter weather. December through February sounds pretty bleak, especially at altitude. Derek's supposed to be heading for the Himalayas. Any thoughts?

R&R Fly south (Goa, Cambodia etc) and ride back?

Hi. Sorry to hear about the accident. Let me know if we can be of help. We are in the South of Kyrgyzstan, Osh.
Riding in winter is going to be very tough...