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Advice on places to avoid on Transiberia trip next year please? Advice on places to avoid on Transiberia trip next year please?
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Photo by Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



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  #1  
Old 19 Nov 2017
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Advice on places to avoid on Transiberia trip next year please?
Hi,

I was wondering whether anyone would be able to tell me of places which would be best avoided on my trip next year. The route will be from the UK, in to Norway, Finland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Pamir Highway, Mongolia, then back in to Russia with the intention of reaching Vladivostok. I know there have been a few documentaries on T.V lately which I've missed and people have been concerned about my route through Russia. My rough plan for this part of the trip would be to visit St Petersburg, then to Moscow, on to tour around the Golden Ring, then head towards Kazakhstan. After this I will be taking a fairly direct route back in Russia towards Vladivostok. I know it may seem a bit pessimistic asking for advice on the places 'not' to visit but it would put my friends and families minds at rest knowing that I've done a bit of research in to it. I know the BBC dramatises a lot so I'd like to get a true perspective from anyone who has had problems in 'rough' or 'unfriendly' places when touring on 2 wheels. I understand that every country has its good and bad parts, and I'm looking forward to visiting Russia and seeing a lot of amazing places next year. I just want to stay as safe as possible too.

Thanks
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Old 20 Nov 2017
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Russia is safe.


The main danger is that they drive like nutters. Keep you eyes on your mirrors at any time and expect stupid driving.

Apart from that, in big towns, like everywhere in the world, avoid dodgy areas after dark.

You are not going to Dagestan, this is the republic they like to dramatise on the BBC.

Russians are friendly and if you avoid the main highway (when possible - very booooring!) you will make wonderful encounters. AND the back roads and trails of Russia are a lot of fun!

See pictures and ride reports in my website if you want to have more info. We have been around Russia a bit in the last 3 years. I am sure you will have a great ride.

PS: If you cross Kazakhstan, try to take a week or two, to explore a bit of Kyrgyzstan as well, it is a stunning little country. Especially as you will probably end up few days in Almaty, like every body does.


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Old 20 Nov 2017
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Thanks Maria, your posts are always so helpful
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Old 24 Nov 2017
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Hi Kayne, I live in Russia and last few years we do motorcycle tours in Russia. Few advice for you:
1) from finland to western Siberia (Tumen and even slightly further up to Krasnoyarsk) you can ride totally avoiding highways. If you need tracks write me at alex.nikonov@rusmototravel.com. Main highway is boring, flat, plain, loaded with trucks and absolutely no fun. Dont make mistake most riders do, dont travel in Russia via Autoban/Interstate highway
2) average speed for cars 100-120 on main roads. So if you ride 120-130 km/h no problems, but if its 90-100 even trucks will overcome you. So be aware of that and ride a bit faster than traffic
3) after chita and to blagoveschensk its 2000 km rather wild section without police, hotels, touristic infrastructure. don't make much scouting in this area. There were many prisoners camps in the past and there are camps right now, so many locals have bad background
4) dont drink with poor local people in Buryatia, Tuva and Chita regions. Even if they are friendly

Would you need more info write me at email
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Old 26 Nov 2017
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Hi Alex,

You're mentioning the high speed on the main roads. Do you mean the highways? Or also the non-highway roads with 1 or 2 lanes per direction?

About point 3, that part of Russia. I think nobody is expecting hotels and campsites there, but you are also suggesting not to stay over at locals?
So just bushcamping every where?
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Old 26 Nov 2017
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There is almost no traffic at secondary roads. All cars use highways as the shortest and fastest way. And the speed is lower at secondary roads, 90-100 km/h usually.

From Chita to Blagoveschensk there are several motels on the road and its ok to stay there. We usually stay at Erofey Pavlovich Motel (located on the road right near Erofey Pavlovich village and train station), its exactly in the middle of this segment. There must be also a bikehouse/bikepost by one Russian motorcyclist who lives in that area, its safe to stay there as well.
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Old 26 Nov 2017
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Ok. We will travel around with a campervan, so we just need a safe place to stay. We also like to do bushcamping in nature. But you seem to suggest that the area might not be so safe.
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Old 26 Nov 2017
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Thanks Alex. I've googled those places. We may get the train from Irkutz to Vladivostok and we will be spending a lot of time in the Altai region, further South than the area you mentioned I believe. If you think of anything else please get in contact. Thank you.
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