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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 19 Jun 2013
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tajikistan anzob tunnel or pass
At the time of writing I am in samarqand. Next week I plan to go to dushanbe via oybe and the anzob tunnel or pass. I heard bad things about the tunnel so wanted to check if someome has recently done the tunnel or pass.

I am on a bmw gsa 2up with luggage on heidenau k60 tyres coming from Belgium.

Thanks in advance.
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  #2  
Old 19 Jun 2013
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We did it last year, 2up on an 800gs. the tunnel is something else! 5km and it's flooded. Some of the pits are very deep. Cover your faces, the exhaust is thick. Follow a car (easy to make friends outside) so you can see where the dips are. Some of it is very dark but there are lights for the many workers inside. There are lots of trucks but the tunnel is fairly wide. Can't speak to the pass but if you skip it there are other passes on that road. It's a hoot!
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  #3  
Old 19 Jun 2013
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Instant black lung !
Potentially the worst thing I've ever done, voluntarily, to my health. Went thru in Sept 2011. It took 45 mins. Big trucks in both directions, the aforementioned holes and flooding.

The headache from the fumes lasted for well over a day.

"Unforgettable."
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  #4  
Old 19 Jun 2013
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I did both routes last year 2012, the tunnel is everything and more, not for the fainthearted.

On my return I went over the pass, the weather was kind to me and the views amazing. I wild camped close to the summit in a farmers field with freshly cut hay. The road over the pass is part unpaved on one side and in two seperate locations close to the summit I had to drive over small glaciers which had crossed over the road, thankfully not too slippery.
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Old 11 Jul 2013
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Lots of water but OK
Thanks for the replies! In the meantime I have ridden through it, 2up. It is certainly doable, you just need to take it easy. You can read more about it on The ride through the tunnel of death | Expedition East – Экспедиция Восток I have made a video about it as well. Will put the link here once it is online.
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Old 22 Nov 2013
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Hi desertdigger,

I will be going that way next year and expect to be at the tunnel mid or late may.
I checked you website ( very interesting!).

At what date were you there? I may decide to take the pass, as reports on that tunnel arose airing me and I will sure and certain drop the bike In a big pothole in the mud. My speciality!

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Old 22 Nov 2013
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I doubt you will get over the pass in late may. The road over the pass is abandoned and only passable with motorbikes, not cars. In May the road will usually still be blocked by old snow (avalanches).
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  #8  
Old 22 Nov 2013
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I went through it 4 times when i was bored to get out of Dushanbe.

Its not as bad as people say but i was on a DRZ 400, heading out from Dushanbe is the worst side than heading towards Dushanbe, pretty dark and i got me knees wet due to the spray from large puddles

I did see some video of another biker who keeped using his horn the whole way down, must of been hell for all others in the Tunnel and on both sides of the tunnel is a sign saying not to use horns.

Cars try to avoid the pot holes so go all over the show but nothing to use your horn about as if you have front & rear lights then they can cleary see you and i never had any issues on my 4 runs

I even stopped to take pictures half way down
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Thanks guys. So I guess I will take the "tunnel of death" and grind my teeth. Good story to tell when I come back home!
I have a trail bike so. Should do the trick! It's just a confidence thing I guess...

Wesley nice pictures on advriders. Will go through it.

Sorry bad typos on my previous post and automatic spellchecked changed words into nonsense. Did not realised.
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Old 23 Nov 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maria41 View Post
Thanks guys. So I guess I will take the "tunnel of death" and grind my teeth. Good story to tell when I come back home!
I have a trail bike so. Should do the trick! It's just a confidence thing I guess...

Wesley nice pictures on advriders. Will go through it.

Sorry bad typos on my previous post and automatic spellchecked changed words into nonsense. Did not realised.

Thanks for the photo comments

Have some from the tunnel when i get to that part

Yes it is not that bad but on my first run i was thinking to my self its abit long and was waiting and waiting to see the light at the end of the tunnel

Never knew how long it really was just some Oz guy in Dushanbe told me about it, to be fair never really knew about it before i met him

Maybe a good idea is to wait outside first until no trucks have been for awhile on your side but then you cant always tell what is coming the other side.

Also clean your front headlight its helps!!!

You dont have to take this route depending on where you are going or coming from however its nothing to worry about and i think calling it the tunnel of death is abit to much really.

Out of intrest what bike are you taking on your trip?
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Old 24 Nov 2013
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Wesley we are taking 2 honda Xr 125l. A drag in Western Europe but we want to be able to do any road or non-roads. They will come to life in Asia and Mongolia.

We Did the big trip with big bikes and alu boxes and all the trendy stuff.... And found myself very limited in term of what trails I was capable of doing.

I would love a DRZ400 but I cannot lower it by 4inches! They are way too tall for me!
The honda won't be the best bike for my husband but it makes sense to have the same one. And going minimalist in term of luggage! Again, a lesson learnt the very hard way!

I look forward for your pictures of Central Asia!
Cheers,
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Old 24 Nov 2013
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Not too late to change bike
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Originally Posted by maria41 View Post
The honda won't be the best bike for my husband but it makes sense to have the same one.
Personally, I think that argument is highly over-rated, and over-stated.
It is a nice-to-have and a long way from an essential requirement; accepting that you have already committed to a couple of 125ccs, your hubbie could well take a bigger engined bike, such as the DRZ400, which would "level the playing field" for him viz a viz you.
In other words, he could carry a bigger share of the overall luggage weight and bulk while still being capable of matching your capabilities, confidence and riding skills on the rough stuff.
Just a thought related to the eternal light Vs heavy bike discussions.
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Old 24 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Personally, I think that argument is highly over-rated, and over-stated.
It is a nice-to-have and a long way from an essential requirement; accepting that you have already committed to a couple of 125ccs, your hubbie could well take a bigger engined bike, such as the DRZ400, which would "level the playing field" for him viz a viz you.
In other words, he could carry a bigger share of the overall luggage weight and bulk while still being capable of matching your capabilities, confidence and riding skills on the rough stuff.
Just a thought related to the eternal light Vs heavy bike discussions.
Agreed
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Old 24 Nov 2013
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Cleaning and
Along with cleaning the headlight..

Clean the rear tail light, stop light and all the indicator lights .. and any reflectors ... helps others see you. Some garages (fuel stations) have things for cleaning windscreens - I use those to clean these surfaces.

--------------------
I generally try to avoid tunnels - no view to start with. If you know the tunnel is going to be dirty .. well I'd consider getting a disposable air filter for your face. Hardware stores should have them. And of course ware your ear plugs.

Horns should be reserved for emergencies only ... not signalling your friends nor venting anger about some road incident. Humm .. I do use them for waking someone up when traffic lights turn green ...
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Old 1 Jan 2020
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Question Anzob PASS
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Happy New Year 2020!


Do you know if the Anzob Pass Road is possible to do it with a motorbike ??? The Pass is closed/forbidden?

Or the only option i have is the Anzob Tunnel?

I love the "off-road" options , thank you so much for any information.
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