Ivan2332: Yes, I've seen there is no way to avoid China, so I'm taking the shortest route possible. China doesn't allow free transit in its country, they only let you go through if you hire a guide and a driver, which sucks. So I'm basicaly reducing the one-month I had originally dreamed from Mongolia to Tibet to around 5 days or so. The other possibility is soaring through Afganistan, I think I prefer China for obvious reasons :)

Zaplaje: Saludos, amigo. I'm including your thee highlights in my route. My trip must-sees is growing wildly. :) Please be sure to post your RTW map here so we can all learn from each other. If you need advice on Spain, please let me know.

MountainMan: I think I missunderstood your previous suggestions. Do you mind please to briefly describe the route you'll take to go from South Africa to Victoria Falls?.

Why are you going north just before Turkey?
If you would travel Turkey-Iran-Pakistan there would not be a China crossing....

Jopos: I really want to get a little bit of flavour of Ukraine/Russia/Kazajstan. Besides, something tells me that soon Iran won't be a safe place :(

hola!!!

I posted my RTW map and plans here, is in the 2nd page of route planning.

I have 2 big problems, I really like to cross Africa by the north coast but it's seems to be really dificult and expensive (algeria-libia), and I'm still searching the perfect route for that part. Also when I did the map I don't knew that you can enter China... but I read that some people did it on their own bikes, so may be we will try when we will there.

You can visit here in Chile Chaiten... a city who was destroyed by a volcano some time ago, Caleta Tortel (in the carretera austral)

if you go south throw Chile, do it by the coast, the Panamerican High Way is very boring and full of paytoll (o como se diga!!!)

saludos

ivan2332: Most likely Honduras situation will be temporary. The guy cannot be confined in the Brazilian embassy for a very long time period, and I'm sure US and Europe will force in the near future elections.
Darien Gap... is just a matter of money I guess.

Hi mate,

Very jealous!

A couple of tiny notes about your Australian plans from an expat-Aussie. Even if you don't go to the top of Cape York (top north-east corner) I'd plan to go north from Cairns as far as Cooktown through the Daintree (season permitting of course)

I'd also head a bit further south down the east coast before striking inland - it's lovely countryside, particularly the area around Byron Bay & Lismore, so I'd probably turn inland at Port Macquarie. (I was born in Moree so I can get away with saying you probably won't miss much :) )

Finally a few more must-sees on or near your rough route so you can make sure you don't miss them...

• The West MacDonnell ranges near Alice Springs - do the loop that heads west from Alice, around to Palm Valley, Kings Canyon and then to Uluru.
• Silverton near Broken Hill
• Wilpena Pound in South Australia

Very, very jealous. Very.

Rob

Hi, RobRoy, and thanks for your time!

I'm slightly scared about the rain during the summer, that's why I'm avoiding north. However, thanks for your advice, I'll be soon adding up your suggestions.

:)

For your planning (and others reading this thread) I put together a map with suggested route west and south from Alice Springs. Note I wouldn't recommend this in (southern hemisphere) summer - its for the middle of the year (local winter).

West MacDonnell Ranges - Google Maps

Once again, enjoy your trip.

Rob

Hello mate!

As for Australia there is also the Great Alpine Road (GAR) in Victoria. Best to ride from north to south, imo.

New Zealand is a must! No more to say. There is probably some kiwies on here that can tell you about some of the beautifully mountain roads in the farm country in south island.

I tried to open your google map with no success, so I dont know if your planing on going to Scandinavia.
Everybody is going to tell you that it is very expensive, and it is expensive, but you can choose what to buy an what to drink, and so do it cheaper!

I have done a few trips to the west of Norway and had some eye opening, jaw dropping and giggling moments in my helmet.

Cheers Tom

I admire your planning but once you get on the road you may find the adventure takes a road all itself. My advice is to quit planning and when March 1st comes along hop on your bike and let the adventure begin.

Here is a quote from a smarter man than both of us.

"Preparation is an art not a science, detailed planning necessarily fails due to the inevitable frictions it encounters: chance events, imperfections in execution, and the independent will of the opposition." Von Clausewitz, military strategist.

Hallo.
Are You will go to boring places like Chelyabinsk & Ekatirenburg and not will go to Moscow?

" Oh, #!!@!, I thought only China had that complication. ..."

Didn't realise you couldn't travel through China - I was planning on heading to S. Korea.

Good luck with trip!

d.

thanks everyone for your messages!!!!!
 

Tomlen: I'd surely love to go north, but my trip is planned to head east from Spain. However, I've been twice in the Scandinavian peninsula, and I agree it's wonderful. I'm afraid I have no time for New Zealand... however, I wonder.... what about leaving the bike in Indonesia and taking a small jump to NZ and doing a 5/10 day train/bus route over there?

Ilya: I did a wonderful trip this summer driving from St. Petersbourg (4 days, LOVED it) to Moscow (4 days) through Tihkvin, Cherepovets, Yaroslav'l and so on (6 days). That's why Moscow isn't in my route. However, people are trying to convince me to avoid the Stans and Russia, and head east directly from Turkey... I'm undecided. I find very appealing the ghostly landscapes that comunism left in the Soviet Union.

QuadsAcrossAfrica: I agree the route WILL change, simply because it gets affectted by the people yo meet on your way. But I surely need to make a planning, specifically for the visas. My original route had a huge 2-month gap in China, and now I know I can't do it, so I think planning is necessary. After closing up the route, I'll need to investigate on borders, countries, language, food, religion... There is soooo much to do! :)

RobRoy: Thanks for the map. I'm including it in my own road.

Thanks everyone for your messages!!!

Wow
 

Wow,

NICE plan - congrats my friend, and I thank you for the added inspiration for our endeavours kicking off in 2011.

As a "KIWI" - and I know you have a plan already - but I must recommend you reconsider not stopping in New Zealand. I've travelled a fair bit, ridden extensively in the USA and would say, we have some of the best roads/scenery available. Think of Colorado X 100 = South Island NZ.

We are so far from anywhere, you won't ever be closer!

Two weeks (3 or 4 would be better of course) would do the South Island, and 2 weeks would do the North Island.

If pushed for time, skip the North Island (Where I live) and do the South.

Our hospitality is huge - hop on Kiwi Biker - New Zealand motorcycle community and I'm sure you'll have numerous offers of guidance and accommodation. If I can help in any way - please holler.

Whatever you decide, I salute you and wish you safe travels,

Cheers

Pete :thumbup1: