Chernobyl, Ukraine
 

Hi,

I am wondering if it is possible to do a ride into Chernobyl? I saw a few websites belonging to people riding into Chernobyl which I thought was off limit to the public. Do you need a special permit to enter the area? If it is possible to ride into the area, which are the accessible roads?

Regards.

1. The famous story about girl riding bike in Chernobyl - total hoax. Total. I really know it, being a bit of part of Ukrainian biking scene. Perhaps she was there, but she is not rider and nobody ever saw her riding.
2. It is possible, but you will only be able to ride to particular part of area and never on your own and you will have to spend quite an effort to arrange that, and just get some assistance on arranging it with one of local agencies involved. And you need to have reason, real one to go ther. Some of my friends back in Ukraine did quick ride there, but they had connections in high enough levels to get in and they came back very much depressed.
You may use this:
Chernobyl tour from SAM travel company Ukraine
3. You realize, that even half-life period of radioactive elements is not over yet? Carrying counter helps to be sure, but you never know. In worst case scenario your bike might have to be torched and burried if after ride it is checked over and over limit even after wash.
4. It is plain scary. It is no interesting, not breathtaking, nothing like that. It is site of tragedy and horrorand decay. But it is up to you.