Turkey to Nepal: Typical Cruising Speed? - Horizons Unlimited

**davidmc** · #1 12 Oct 2004

I am trying to plan a rough schedule on how long it will take to travel across Asia. The big question is how much time it takes to travel on the main roads. I plan on taking the traditional overland route from Turkey to Nepal and ultimately to SE Asia with some side trips up the KKH and the Northern India mountain areas.

So I am wondering, what is a typical cruising speed and how fast can I ride on the main highways in the following countries:

-Turkey
-Iran
-Pakistan (including the KKH)
-North India
-Nepal

I don't care about the urban areas, I expect slow going in these spots. But knowing if I can cruise at 30mph or 70mph outside the cities makes a big difference in how much progress I can expect to make each day.

I will be fully loaded two-up on a Transalp if that is a factor.

Thanks for the help...

**beddhist** · #2 13 Oct 2004

I did the reverse in '88-89. I'm sure traffic has increased since then, but a few better roads have also been built, so these times may or may not be relevant any more:

TR: lots of long, straight roads in the interior with good surfaces (mostly). The speed limit for bikes is ridiculously low, however. The coast road is very nice and winding, so youwuld probably cruise easily at 50 - 100 km/h.

IR: I only had a transit visa, so did the 2500 km in about a week. In the Southern desert I cruised at 100 - 140 km/h with trailer.

Pak: I chickened out on the South because of the heat, took the train from Rawalpindi to the border. Apparently you can do Koh-i-Taftan - Quetta easily in two days. We spent about a week on the KKH, 40 - 70 km/h.

In: 30 - 60 km/h on most roads. We generally covered 70 - 250 km per day (when travelling). Stear clear of the main highways where possible.

Nepal: 50 - 80 km/h. Wicked potholes in the best surfaced highway in the South.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

**John Roberts** · #3 13 Oct 2004

Anybody mind if I have a quick word with beddhist?

Hi, Peter
Many thanks for your reply to a thread of mine re European weather, I hope your swimming pool isn't too cold by now!

I've just looked at your profile again, I hadn't noticed your homepage before: www.freetibet.org The thing is, the page doesn't seem to be available, I tried a few times.

So, you went to Nepal, then- did you get as far as Tibet, perhaps? Any threads on the HUBB about it? Then how about a thread on the HUBB about it? Some day I'd like to spin a prayer wheel for Mabs, a good person, she would have liked that.

Cheers,

John

------------------
Johnefyn

**davidmc** · #4 13 Oct 2004

Thanks Peter, this is exactly what I was looking for!

Dave

**beddhist** · #5 19 Oct 2004

Hi John,

Nope, temperatures have plummeted in the last few days, so no more pool until May at least.

If the URL doesn't work then you must be located in China! The govt. there censors the Internet. Works fine here. Can't say any more about it, otherwise I'll get into trouble with the BOSS.

I didn't get into Tibet, so I can't write about that, either.

Who was Mabs?

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[This message has been edited by beddhist (edited 18 October 2004).]

**John Roberts** · #6 6 Nov 2004

Hi Peter,
Mabs: Mabel Till, neighbour, ceramic artist originally from the Potteries. Took early retirement & moved to Wales. Deep interest in all things Tibetan & Oriental, widely read. Wore herself out looking after her husband John when he fell ill. Said she's coming back as a pampered cat next time around. Had half-page obituary in the Guardian.

J

------------------
Johnefyn