Silk road in zig-zag - 2018 - By car

[valik]

Hello everybody

First off all, please excuse my written english. My name is Valentin 37 years old, from Sibiu, Romania, I used to ride a Super Tenere, all across Europe, until i had an accident last year in Italy, and i remained with some leg problems and for another 2 years is dangerous for me to ride i bike. But my taste for expeditions and adrenaline, remains intact. That is why i decided, that next year, toghether with a friend to go on Silk Road, with the following itinerary: Romania-Turkey-Georgia-Armenia-Azerbaijan-Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan-Russia-Mongolia and detour straight from Russia-Ukrain-Romania, 22000 km. The car will be a Dacia Duster, modified for extra weight. The start will be in march or april 2018. The itinerary and the period are not fixed, changes can be applied, after further researches.
I wrote this post to ask users with informations, to advice me, regarding the itinerary, what to visit, when is the best period, advices on what we should or should not do.
If there are other guys willing to join us...please advice.
Best regards
Valentin
PS. i also offer my knowledge and time for those of you who want to visit Sibiu, Romania (for free of course ). I recomend to visit Romania-Transilvania-Sibiu with all my heart.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibiu

[Warin]

Sorry about the leg.

Rather than adrenaline you say above, which can be produced by fear, I'd rather say excitement, which can be produced by new things.

As you would know from your motorcycling, weight is a problem. Try to keep it down even in a car as it does effect the performance (fuel consumption) and reliability. So I would tend to still practice keeping the weight down even with a car.

Planing? Well there are a few ride reports here on HU to read through to start with! Everyone's trip is different - you get different people and weather to start with. I would start with what you like to see.. for me that is scenery... nothing like a good view to make me happy.

[valik]

Can someone tell me wich is the best time to cross the countries metioned above, not to be very cold or rainy.

[Rinat_kz]

Hi, Valentin.

Do you have a draft route of your trip ?
I could give you some advises regarding Central Asia countries.
I'm travel enthusiast, living in Almaty/Kazakhstan.
Same as you i'm owning Dacia Duster (here it named Renault ))), Toyota FJ cruiser for off road trips and r1200gs fro motorcycle travels.

Do not hesitate to contact me, i would glad to give you some advises and support in case if it will be needed.

Most familiar area for me is Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

[Rinat_kz]

Originally Posted by valik

Can someone tell me winch is the best time to cross the countries mentioned above, not to be very cold or rainy.

For sure for Central Asia countries most comfortable is Middle Spring. From the beginning of Summer, first days of June, it could be more than 40 of Celsius in Uzbekistan for example, in South of Kazakhstan it is near the same.
North Areas of your route like Russia, Mongolia is better to cross during summer. Kyrgyzstan is not so hot as Uzbekistan, you probably will enjoy it during summer period.

So, i wouldn't suggest you to go to hot areas in summer, but depend of your preparation/background it could be fine as well )

As for rain, it is not predictable. But mostly Central Asia countries are dry areas.

Caucasus is perfect in different seasons )

You didn't mentioned how long your trip will be...

[truecolors]

Hi Valentin,

I have been there a couple of times with the motorbike (Georgia and Silk Road).

You might run into some problems in Georgia if you arrive there too early: there will be too much snow in the most beautiful parts of the mountains. It might be better to consider arriving in Georgia second half June. It would be a shame to go to Georgia and not to see Ushguli, Omalo, etc. Many people just ride up the Military Highway to cross into Russia, but it would be a shame to miss some highlights of Georgia.

Also, you have the option of taking a ferry from Varna (Bulgarian ferry) to Batumi, or from Odessa. Takes about 2 days and is very pleasant experience (and cuts about 2,000km from the drive). These are nice options to avoid Istanbul - unless you want to see that city.

Alternatively, going via Ukraine (see the Ukraine Carpathian mountains) and then drive from Xharkiv, Voronesh, Volgograd and then to Astrakan via the small countryside roads is pretty nice adventure too; and keep Georgia for the return trip (when snow is gone).

Uzbekistan will be very hot, but being in a car is not a big issue I think.

I am going that way next year with the motorbike. If you are interested let me know.