Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
The stans in a rush How long from uk? The stans in a rush How long from uk?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Oct 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sheffield uk
Posts: 16
The stans in a rush How long from uk?
My lad and myself are both in jobs where we can only get 2 weeks off.
our plan is to get a couple of mates to ride out to east turkey for us and fly back so we can fly out and ride back ...via Iran ,the pamir highway, kazak russia and ukraine etc. Back to Sheffield UK in 2 weeks? Are we dreaming or is it do able?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bassett, Nebraska
Posts: 276
You are dreaming in my opinion. 1000's of kilometers? Expensive visas for such a rush trip? Pamir Highway? Your proposed route would take you through borders at Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. That's a lot of borders to cross just to get back to the EU. And the logistics of getting those visas lined up in advance for a two week trip makes my head spin. A country a day? Wow! I don't think so.

I understand the allure of ride reports like:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=407209

It is a hauntingly beautiful part of the world.

Kindest regards,
John Downs
__________________
South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 296
Hi, i am afraid that i must agree. The only trips that riders complain about is when they are on very tight time shedules.
You could have an enjoyable ride back from Eastern Turkey; see some of Eastern Turkey, maybe visit Georgia, ferry from Trazbon to Sochi, Russia, Ukraine (Crimea), Moldova, Romania, etc to home. Only visa for Russia needed. Andy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Oct 2011
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Cracow, Poland
Posts: 202
Quote:
Originally Posted by spot View Post
My lad and myself are both in jobs where we can only get 2 weeks off.
our plan is to get a couple of mates to ride out to east turkey for us and fly back so we can fly out and ride back ...via Iran ,the pamir highway, kazak russia and ukraine etc. Back to Sheffield UK in 2 weeks? Are we dreaming or is it do able?
Let me guess. Are you Nick Sanders? If yes - it is possible. If not - forget about it. From Pamir to England it is about 8000 km. In my opinion you need at least 4 weeks for such a trip.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Well, people are different, and I cannot tell, if doing things in a rush would be your thing...

But for me, this would be too much of a hurry. Not a good idea to have to have to ride tired,try to keep up a good speed, and possibly end up riding the last daily bits in the dark in very different traffic, either. Risky, and just would not feel like a holiday I think!

Some more time, or a shorter travel plan - "less is more" - would definitely be in order for me. Or if for some reason I´d absolutely HAVE to go that far in such a short time, then I´d try to make it one-way (so I´d ship the bike back & fly home from the other end).
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Oct 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 36
I think you would find yourself really feeling the pressure. We had 11days from the Kazakh - Russian border to get back to the UK including a rest day in Volgograd (our first in two weeks because the roads in kazakh were far worse than expected). Simple things like the volume of traffic going from the ukraine to poland lost us 7hours, meaning we had to drive to catch up the time. I ride a motorbike as well and think catching up time in a 4x4 is easier, but it still wasnt nice feeling tired and under pressure. Keep it simple for those two weeks, pick the least number of miles and enjoy it - save the stans for another time.
__________________
If today was perfect there would be no need for tomorow
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Oct 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sheffield uk
Posts: 16
Thanks for the replies guys. They are of course perfectly sensible.Unfortunately my lad has set his heart on the Pamir highway. He was there a couple of years ago when there was trouble and had to detour around so to "just" go to Iran or somewhere is not on his agenda. I am currently looking at organizing a one way trip with someone else meeting up with us in Almaty and either riding out or back. I have started a thread under Trip Transport, so far without any interest. That puzzles me as it seems logical to share bikes on long trips. with judicial use of bank holidays and cough... an unavoidable delay, we can stretch time of work to 3 weeks.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Oct 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Seville (E)
Posts: 554
3 years ago I met in Bukhara one Dutch guy riding a diesel Enfield Sommer -not exactly a rocket- with (both) front forks leaking oil all over who had to be working in a week. I don't know if he made it, but he said he was riding 12-14 hours a day starting at 6am or so. If he survived and is around, he could definitely team up quite well with your mate or at least provide good advice...

As the others, I think it is going to cost you a too much for the time you are going to enjoy it in such a rush. But if it is the plan and you have the determination, then wish you the best luck and fun. Have a safe trip and do not risk too much.

BTW, the first day back at work won't be very productive, that we're all sure, aren't we? (I hope you aren't both surgeons!).

Esteban
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11 Sep 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sheffield uk
Posts: 16
An update. The stans in a rush is possible. My lad ended up going without me, in a £ 300 people carrier from a scrap yard. Sheffield to dushanbe in Tajikistan in just over a week. The van was sold( at a profit) in krgystan.Unfortunately once again he did not manage to drive across the" roof of the world" because of insurgent action in Khorog but he got through to Almaty in well under 2 weeks. Obviously a couple of months would have been nice but lack of time does not have to stop adventure travelling!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NFA
Posts: 222
Ha! Good on yer........love it when the seemingly impossible becomes reality. Excellent result.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
4x4 through the 'stans danielsprague Northern and Central Asia 18 17 Feb 2014 00:14
to see in stans PeterClark Northern and Central Asia 2 26 May 2011 23:17
Stans Mart456 Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 2 Oct 2010 18:33
Into the Stans Bossit Northern and Central Asia 0 22 Aug 2010 15:17
Anyone in the stans?? kw_bike Northern and Central Asia 1 16 Aug 2008 13:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:52.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top