Has anyone seen or heard Ian Coates?

[Martynho]

Hi, I am writing on behalf of Ian's wife Judith, who is worried about him as he has not been heard of for 4 weeks. Ian has been on the road for about 11 years now so he knows what he is doing but it is unusual for him to be out of range for so long, although I know the area is vast and difficult to communicate from. He is travelling on a well used Africa Twin and had crossed over into Far Eastern Russia from Canada/USA in April 2010.

He was last heard of on 31st June in Novosibirsk where he was trying to sort a visa to get into Kazahkstan, so he was obviously on his way there and we believe on his way back home to the UK. We are unsure of the route he was going to take.

If anyone has any news or has any contacts on the most obvious routes that may be of help then it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Martyn

[mika]

Hi Martyn,

sorry, but I cant tell you where Ian is at the moment. The last time I had email contact with him is maybe two months ago when he stayed in Khabarovsk.

But he told me that he would be back in the UK for his 70th birthday, which is in three years. He also told me that he would take the southern route (thru the stans and into turkey) back to Europe.

Four weeks is not a long time for Ian not to use a computer.

Hope this info helps a little bit.

Greetings

Mika from Switzerland

[Tiffany]

I haven't heard from Ian since end of June. I've put the word out amongst the people I know in the area as well as friends in the Mongol Rally organisation as their hundreds of vehicles will soon be arriving in the region.
I've also asked David at Stantours as I had recommended to Ian to get visa advice from David and maybe he's been having problems with his Kazakh visa.
Hopefully we hear something soon.

[Tiffany]

Does anyone know if Ian has been spotted?
David at Stantours is ready to check with the Russian authorities whether Ian has left Russia but obviously would like to know if he needs to go ahead with this step or not.

Hopefully Ian has turned up, I sent an email last week and a PM to Martynho and haven't heard back.
Any info anybody?

[Martynho]

I only have sketchy details right now, bit I heard he was in touch with his family. I have been out of town for a few days so apologies for the radio silence. I'll drop in at his workshop in the morning and speak with his wife Judith and post back.

Thanks all for your thoughts and concern.

Cheers - Martyn

[chris]

I'm sure you're also aware of this thread: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-seen-him-3366

The last email contact I had with Ian was 17April when he was still staying at "the Box", the Vladivostok Iron Tigers biker house. If you need the email of Andrey the IT vice pres, drop me a PM or am email (via my website) and I'll give4 you it. Andrey is likely to know lots of other bike contacts in the region.

Other good friends are Rob and Dafne de Jong of Ride-on MotorTours, to discover the world on your own motorcycle who do lots of tours in the east of Russia. They will have contacts too.

Good luck in the search.
Chris

[Martynho]

I promised to report back to Ian's friends on his whereabouts.

I spoke with his wife Judith this morning. He was unable to get a visa for Kazakhstan so has gone round via Russia into the Ukraine and is now in Sevastopol, apparently in the good care of the chaps in black SUV's, who ensure no evil befalls him from officials etc.

Judith is flying out to meet him on tuesday next week, she will stay with him there for a month.

Looks like he really is on his way home, although I will believe it when I see it.

Again many thanks for all the concern and follow up from folks.

Kind regards - Martyn

[Tiffany]

HI Martyn
Thanks for the PM and for posting here. Good to hear that Ian is Ok and in Ukraine, no doubt he will be a bit annoyed to miss out on the 'Stans.
cheers

[coxy]

Good oh
All the best Coxy and Denise
coxmorganoverland.co.uk