Originally Posted by Wildman

I'm in the very early stages of planning a major trip. There's a proposal that the 2011 Russian Sidecar Motocross Grand Prix will be held in Kamensk-Uralskiy, 2,000 kms east of Moscow. If this event gets the go ahead then I intend to ride there and having ridden that far, it seems if I'm ever going to do it, Mongolia beckons.

Thinking of leaving UK mid to late-July - Rostock to Helsinki ferry - St. Petersburg - Moscow - Penza (home of the 2009 & 2010 GPs) - Ekaterinburg - Kamensk-Uralshiy to arrive for the Friday or Saturday of the GP (the date has yet to be announced but the Russian GP is usually on the second or third Sunday in August). After the GP, travel to Omsk - Novosibirsk - Irkutsk - Ulan-Ude - cross the Russian/Mongolian border arriving in Ulaanbaatar.

Rather than retrace steps, I'm then hoping to set out west through Mongolia, cross the Mongolia/Russian border at Tsagaannuur then, Barnaul - cross Russian/Kazahkstan border and head down to the 'stans aiming for Issyk Kul and Samarqand before heading back via Azerbaijan and Turkey.

About 16,000 miles in all. I'm a 'plodder' so am not anticipating being back in the UK before the early or mid-October 2011; 12-14 weeks in all. Mix of camping and hotels. Options that might exist based on time, money and political climate include a brief detour to Kashgar in China, riding the Pamir Highway through Tajikistan and dipping down into Syria, maybe even to Petra in Jordan.

The decision for the venue of the GP will take place at the end of October 2010, just over one year from now so this is very early planning. That date should allow plenty of time for visas and carnets etc. if it's a "green light". I'm novice at this type of trip but with the amount of time to plan, save and prepare, I think it should be possible.

I've been keeping a track on some of the reports from the area; inspiring stuff! All advice or benefit of experience gratefully accepted. Anyone interested in joining me for part or all of the trip, would be most welcome.

Originally Posted by Wildman

Hi Bjorg

It would be excellent to have a small group to travel with for either all or part of the way.

Three months away, including August, is about the maximum I can justify and the second quarter, April, May and June, is traditionally the busiest period for my business so leaving in mid-May might be a challenge but not impossible. The only date I was working around is the likely date of the Russian GP but that's just kind of a catalyst, not a 'must do'.