Portsmouth to Ulaanbataar via the 'Stans' 2012 on a C90 (or similar)
 

After getting through a few trips on four wheels (all clapped out motors!): UK to Casablanca, UK to Prague and most recently UK to Timbuktu. I have finally accepted that there is no real challenge unless you are fully exposed to the elements.After the Timbuktu trip I realised that the slower you travel and the more open you are to interaction the more rewarding the experience. As a result I have opted for a trip to Mongolia, will try to raise money for charity in the process, on the ultimate means to move slowly and iteract; a Honda C90 (or something very close to it).Hoping that there's someone out there who has done similar and can give some advice, in particular the Caspian Sea crossing and border crossings through Turkmenistan, Uzbek and Kazak.I will be a small team of three but always room for one more!!John Badger

Sounds like a good plan!

I've done that route before but didn't make it to Mongolia because of a Mercedes in Kazakhstan (long story).

Caspian sea crossing was easy, but take some food with you! Easy to find th eright place in Baku, no need to book in advance. TM was a bit bureaucratic but well worth it - the big cheese out there died after I left so this might have changed. From what I remember all the border crossings were fine - usual bike advice i.e. ride straight to the front, big grin, helmet off and sail through (after completeing a bunch of forms!)

I'm off in a race across the Sahara on a modified Innova 125 Dominos pizza bike in January/February (Bamako or Bust - Home) but if I've found a way to get cash without working would defininately be up for tagging along!

Best of luck with the Bamako run. Watch the road from Tiznit to the Mauritanian border for sand storms and drifting sand dunes.John Badger