Am planning to ride from Magadan to Yakutsk (and further on) in July 2005 and would appreciate any information on the quality of the "all year" road between Magadan and Yakutsk, the one that goes north to Ust-Nera and back down to Kyubeme. I have read the Blue Dunes web site and seen Ewan McGreggor's show, but I think both tours took the short cut/original road from Kadykchan to Kyubeme (which is very very difficult in summer).

Any help appreciated.

Adrian

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Hi Adrain, I've been researching this area lately, have seen the same things you have, and must say I have not come across an 'all weather' road north of the RoB via Ust-Nera that is better than the regular route. On my maps a minor road ends at Ust coming up from the southeast (could not find Kyubeme on my maps - just west of Tomtor I suspect).
From the topopgraphy, I cant see a better road being available to the north - same drainage problems - so it could be RoB or nothing. As I'm sure you know, the later in the summer the shorter your snorkel need be.

You may have found this site: http://www.yakutiatravel.com/eng/main.htm

In fact I get the impression summer is the worst time to travel on roads in this part of Russia because of rivers, etc, but the only practical time that a bike can hack it. I was talking to a Russian bloke from Baikal region at a travel show on the weekend about riding this route and he recommended doing RoB in April: Yak to Mag in 2-3 days he reckoned because it is all nice and frozen. "only -30 at night and -10 in the day". (I'm not sure that would be sustainable on a bike but it would be an interesting experiment!). Interestingly his 4-litre magnum of vodka was nearly empty by Sunday pm.

Chris S



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Author of Sahara Overland II hardback edition and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

Thanks for your post Chris. This area is very hard to find out about. Thanks for the link to Yakutia information - very helpful.

Re: the RoB;

The 2004 Russian Auto Atlas shows an almost complete (i.e non-dotted red-line) from Ust Nera to Kyubeme and this road is labelled the "Kolyma Highway" (rather than the more direct road below it).

The BAM Siberian Rail guide, which I have found very helpful ==>

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...689634-1792852

also has a chapter on the Kolyma Highway and describes the section from Kyubeme to Ust Nera as follows:

"From Kyubeme a winter road, gradually being upgraded to an all weather road, runs direct to Ust-Nera on the upper reaches of the Indigirka river.....the road runs north crossing the creeks and shoulders of the Indigirka, climbing 2 passes at 1,362m and 1,380m. The winter road meets the existing road - which is in good condition - near Elginski. The road continues east towards Ust-Nera".

Interesting feedback on best time to travel. I do recall that winter is considered best, due to frozen rivers and hard surfaces. Many trucks travel at this time. My (limited) understanding is that the only feasible time for bikes is summer, but you need to get your timing right and try to get all rivers etc at lowest levels. My plan is for July (the warmest month here).

Any other info on this topic much appreciated.

Adrian

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Hi again Adrian,

We've corresponded by email about the route west from Magadan versus the more southerly road west from Vladivostok. I plan to ride the more southerly route during the latter half of July. Any chance you would change your mind and join me? I would welcome company!

Mike

Hi Adrian, as it happens I've just this moment received that BAM guide too - its published by the same guy who does my motorbiking handbook. More here: http://trailblazer-guides.com/books/...n.html/main/25

A nifty little book - p.123 has tips on camping out at minus 50C... Will check out that Russian Atlas in the shops tomorrow. I guess you just got to go there and find out.

Chris S

Later...
Just skimmed through the BAM book and see what you mean about 'new road' round the top. It seems Ust Nera is an active mine town supplied from Magadan and your new road from Ust south to Kyubeme makes sense, as they've stopped maintaining from there east to Kadykchan (the classic RoB section).
None the wiser whether people ride RoB for the crack (passing the coldest spot in the north hemi -71°C) - or dont know about the 'easier' way round the top, (assuming its finished). I guess the Yakutia travel guys would know. C



[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 20 January 2005).]

Hey Adrian, I just got back from Moscow and have picked up a new different road atlas to the ones mentioned on the the other thread. This one has Magadan region at a scale of 1 : 2,500,000 which sounds more detailed than some of the other atlases (doesnt mean its better).

Heading North and West from Magadan, and following the "northern mining road" for want of a better name, the road is marked as all weather as far as "Elginski", 86km beyond Ust Nera. The road from Elginski to Kyubeme on my map is marked as a winter road, and has no distance markings on it, but looks about 150 klms.

Hope that helps add to the confusion and conflicting reports mate. Drop me a line if you want me to scan the relevant section and pass it on.