Waiting for USPS to delivery crankshaft in Ulan Ude
 

An eBay crankshaft was shipped Tuesday from Oregon to Ulan Ude, Russia. It was shipped to my mechanics friend. He has received bike parts from America before. Everybody laugh as I'm getting worried after only 4 days. I've read the horror stories too.

Are there any plan B's ? My wife is having some medical issues that may end my trip if I don't get moving soon.

Ah.. Domestic service... Via Moscow... Ouch.

One chap Jose had his tyres sent to Tajikistan from Spain on the national parcel carrier and they have been stuck in Moscow since August 2012

You're just trying to lift my spirits, aren't you?

can you leave the bike there, go home and see your wife.. and then pick up the trip later?

I don't know how permanent her situation is going to be.I may not be able to leave again.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The only plan b is probably to find someone to hand carry the part to Russia and then express mail it to you there. Even that would probably take several days.

I called USPS.last night. They say it was sorted in San Francisco on 6/20.Hope it's in Russia by now. I don't know if there is a central customs clearance or if each city does their own.If it is here, I'll go put a bug in their ear.

For places like Ulan Ude, I'm pretty sure that everything goes through Moscow, but it can't hurt to try.

I don't want to be a downer - but stuff we sent home from Russia took, on occasion over 2 months to get to Australia. Was the address written in Latin or Cyrillic? I imagine if was in Latin that is only going to increase your waiting time.

My mechanic has a friend that seems to work in the post office. Yesterday he said it is in Russia. I don't know where in Russia though. It left San Francisco on 6/20. Hold on a minute. Let me go see if it's in the porch.

No, not yet.

again, not to be a downer, but it is not getting the part to Russia which is the problem, but getting it out of customs.

please keep us posted!

waiting
 

Hello Doug,

yes pls keep us up to date about your crankshaft arrival and the repair.

Maybe you can go (on another bike or rent a car) for a few days up to Lake Baikal ... I enjoyed camping at the shore.

Greetings from Switzerland
mika

Crap. I was in Ullan Ude yesterday. I would have bought you a beer had I seen this. Hope it works out man.

Noah

I think my trip my be ending. My wife has been to several doctors since I left home. Yesterday the doctor said she may have multiple sclerosis. If I don't have the crankshaft by Monday, I'll probably abandon the bike.Looking into how to legally do that. Then I'd take a bus to Ulanbaatar. $1400 cheaper flying home from there.My trip pales in comparison to her getting that news and being alone.

I am looking into renting a car or taking a bus to Lake Baikal tomorrow or Sunday.

Can't comment on leaving a bike legally in Russia. I don't think you can. It was discussed previously at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tomorrow-65190 If you're not intending to re-visit Russia, you can just leave it.

If the part actually arrives in Ulan Ude, maybe a buddy can fix/ride the bike to Europe. Or a buddy can fly in with the part, fix the bike, and ride it?

I'll be passing Ulan Ude en route from Ulaan Bataar to Irkutsk on about 10th July and will be at the Oasis Guest house in UB on 7th/8th/possibly 9th July. I fly into UB on 7th July. Will drink some beer with you if we're in the same place at the same time.

I hope everything goes well with your wife. You know what you have to do.

All the Vest Best