Road of Bones - When to go
 

So planning a 3 year round the world trip from Australia. Our departure date has forced us to either rush the US or do the road of bones later.

Has anyone done it recently.

How would it be in mid to late September. Still doable?

That is probably a bit on the edge, but there will be someone with experience responding I guess.

But are you going by bike or 4x4? Because that will probably make a difference.

Planning to make Road of Bones and BAM in 2019 or 20. On planning now.
It is said that best time is July-August until, mid Sep.

Later of mid Sep, after sunset and till noon weather is at freezing points, below zero.

Try to stick between June 15 - Sep 15

1st of July-31st of August best time. 15th of June and 15th of September possible, but high risks of cold weather, snow or high rivers in June

Did it early October 2017.

It was below freezing at all times, down to -23º C on the Tenkin Track but usually around -5 or -10 in the day. Snow on the ground for much of the way and heavy snowfall on the passes along the Tenkin Track and coming into Magadan.

The road is in such good condition these days that (aside from temperature) I don't think the season is much of an issue UNTIL the Aldan River starts to freeze in mid to late October. It's just down to what temperatures you are comfortable to travel in. I personally much prefer the cold to the infuriating mosquitoes which ruin every night camping in the warm months.

Next week I'm driving the road the other way. Last week it was -62 in Oymyakon but sadly it looks like it'll only be around -40 when I pass through (in a specially prepared, well heated 4WD vehicle).

Speaking of mosquitoes, when are they at their worst? I guess at the mid of summer.
But if we travel through the area to the East of Mongolia on to vladivostok in September, I guess we will still have plenty of mosquitos around?
Probably the same for the central Russia that we will pass through in June.

The mosquitoes really get going a month or two after the snow melts I think, so yes, in June they are probably at their worst in European Russia.

They stay around until the nights start to dip near freezing, so for the Amur / Khabarovsk / Vladivostok region you'll definitely still have them in early September, but fewer than in the height of summer.

I would recommend face nets and strong (DEET) repellent, which works until you sweat it off.

Thanks for the info. I guess that makes my think again about going through Kazakhstan, this would be an extra benefit.
Would love to go into these regions once in winter, but not now (with the kids)

Glad to be of help :)

The main Trans-Siberian route is really not very interesting until you get to Lake Baikal, so by deviating from it you won't miss much.

Much of northern and western Kazakhstan are also dull, but it's a nice kind of soothing emptiness which you can camp in without (many) mosquitoes. But the further south you go, the hotter it gets. I like the centre of Kazakhstan for this, though there isn't a clear road across.

There are some nice backroads in the South Urals, in the Miass - Orenburg - Magnitogorsk area. Western Siberia is pretty dull. The best bits are when you head south into Altai, Tuva, Khakassia and Kemerovo Regions. There are a few detours you could do here.

East of here things are slightly more interesting as the scenery after Baikal becomes nicer. Again, I can recommend back-roads if you are interested.

You are confirming my view on this, apart from the fact that I have no experience and don't know many nice backroads. I also heard from other travellers abuot this section, birch trees and mosquitoes.
Altai was already long time on our list, and have already been looking into what to visit there. This is because anything you want to visit (those detours) close to the borders (like Sailugem) you need to arrange a permit in advance. Not a big deal but you have to already do that in advance.

I rode through those areas in June/July. I Siberia towards east the moskitos started to be a plague, clouds of them follow you, I have a short clip of that phenomeanon. Although there is nothing much in mid Kaz. I loved it. I rested my eyes and my mind while riding through this land of nowhere. It´s amazing how much space I´ve experienced there. It was wonderful for me. Others find it boring, or not interesting...I love it.

There is much to see in the Altai region without touching special permit areas. And it´s easy to find backroads, in my case: they always found me, there was nothing more to wish for.

For Siberia: take local moskito repellent, this will cost you some days of your lifetime, but it works.:(
And take a moskito hat, to avoid strolling around with your helmet on. ;-)

For Kazakhstan: carry a camelback. It´s really hot in summer! If you like deserts, go there. Camping is easy, riding is smooth. Don´t speed if you see any shadow ahead (i.e. under a bridge), that´s where the cops are hiding from the heat and they will hassle you if you were speeding or crossing the line.

For Kirgistan:
always carry some 10$ bills on different places on you. you might need them for bribing.
For eastern Russia:
no more camping for us, first of all, we were warned abot criminals, and wildlife.
And I really liked the long roads, just like Kaz. but with trees.

To your 1. post: I would definetely rush through the states :-)

Accomodation in eastern Siberia
 

Hi
You mentioned you didnt camp in Eastern Siberia because of criminals and wildlife,
Did you manage to find cheap accomodation where ever you needed it?