Hello!

I am planning a trip starting August 2014 Finland-Russia-Kazakstan-Mongolia-Russia-Finland.
Anybody have the same plans,maybe join and drive together?
I am starting probably alone with my bike,but ofcourse its nice to ride in a small group.

And all important tips is also wery welcome!

-Marko-

Hi Marko,

The best time for this trip is June-July. I think starting in August will be a bit late. In Mongolia (and Siberia) august and sept not so dry season as midsummer. Nights will be cold (especially in the mountains), roads will be wet, muddy and slippery, and snow can fall.

Hi Marko,

another thread on this here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-2014-a-70639

Noel is circulating a spreadsheet and collecting data for us so we can get to know each emails and itinerary.
I agree with BIKE-R, august may be bit late.

We plan to leave late april /Early May from London and make it to Irkutsk by mid August to get bikes and us on the train to Moscow. Although we could get that done form Ulaanbaatar as well, depending on timing and weather....

Cheers,

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Hello!

Ok,thanks for the tips so far,maybe i have to leave then earlier in the midsummer perhaps.

Marko

Hi ,although i started a threat re Vladivostok to Europe (from Australia) it seems that starting from Aus is very expensive. I am now thinking of teaming up with some person(s) to start in Europe- go to Mongolia via the "Stans" and either ride back via Moscow or do part of the trip by train. August is too late for sure- To do this trip there is but a short window if any part in the north is used. i was in UB (mong) on June 8- the temp was ok but a hailstorm at night. All temps throughout Russia (Irkutsk-NovosiBirsk-Moscow and St P/burg were ok during june.) keep me posted cheers Richard

__________________
Richard Wolters
Brisbane, Australia

Olin Mongoliassa 2007 kesäkuun alussa ja ajoimme Gobin läpi.
Vajaa kuukausi myöhemmin ei parilta briteiltä onnistunut kun sadekausi alkoi.
Eli joet tulvii ja sit odotetaan......
T: polarwing

Marko, I'm also planning to go towards Central Asia, but starting from the 1st of September. I want to avoid the +40C super temperatures which plague the region during the summer months. September is still +25 - +30C in the most parts of Kz, Tz and Uz during September. I'm planning to visit those countries + Russia if no war erupts before September.

About Mongolia: There is actually less rain in September, fall, winter and spring are drier than summer over there.

Southern route (Gob) becomes problematic most likely because that route has river crossings without bridges and the path becomes and stays muddy for longer times when it rains even a little.

Central route should be driveable, no big rivers without bridges. However lower temperatures + moisture = muddy conditions stay longer.

Northern route is colder and wetter, watch Long Way Around and see what kind of hell it is.

You should definitely have a light weight bike without much luggage. Heavy street enduros are a bit difficult to drive there, when I went there 2010 with my V-strom 1000 we had a good weather and not much mud (central route).

For example: a fully loaded BMW 1.2 GS is 60-70kg heavier than the V-Strom, gravity is unforgiving thing. Two guys with Adv. 1.2GS's whom we met in Altai mountains said that they were so badly stuck in sand on southern route that they thought they would die there. I'd say that a 600-700cc bike with a ~150kg dry weight could be the best for covering the distance to get there and make a successful journey through Mongolia.

I was going to send all this as a PM but since I have been a gutless lurker here this system does not let me do that. Must post five messages first.