Russia and Mongolia in autumn
 

Hi 2 all, :smile2:

I wanna (try to) go on a around-the-world trip by my motobike next year and the first big goal is to cross Russia from west to east. I will start in July and would like to visit Mongolia in between, ending up in Vladivostok. I´d like to make this route in about three months i.e. July to October.

I´ve read different things concerning the weather conditions in Russia and Mongolia in this season. So my questions are in particular:

1. Is it possible to cross Russia and especially Sibera by bike in autumn (August to October)? I´ve read about an extremely muddy rain season (called the Rasputiza), other sources say that it´s not a big problem. Did anyone make personal experiences in this period and region?
2. Is it possible to cross the borders to Mongolia (respectively the Altai Mountains) at this time? I´d like to cross the border at Tashanta respectively Kyakhta.

Thanks a lot for any hints!

Greetings,
tobi

Hi Tobi,
i think it would be more fascinating to cross Russia one month earlier, because of the weather. Mid September it would begin to become wet and could on many days. Best would be, you passed the Baikal early September:scooter:

1. Forget the rasputiza, the Transsib-Highway ist almost Tarmac, sometimes short stretches are gravel becaus of road repair.
For weatherconditions look at the internet, maybe wetter.com

2. as far as i know are the border crossings open, but maybe here is someone who knows it better

Russia is beautiful weather in July and August but with rain showers.

In 2011i did the trip entering Vladivostok late July, going into Mongolia 2 September, leaving again for Russia from the western border crossing late September and finally leaving Russia from St Petersburg to Estonia on 29 October. That year it turned out to be a perfect time for the trip, I got a month of warm to hot weather in far East Russia, dry weather in Mongolia, and beautiful autumn weather in western Russia. So yes l think it's a good time for your trip -but as well ever with weather there some luck involved. Happy travels.

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I rode around Omsk this year during first days of October. As you know weather can change quite a bit and maybe I was unlucky, but I had majority of days with rain and/or a little snow. Temperature a few degrees above 0 and quite strong wind.

Nothing is impossible, but when I plan future trips I will adjust more to weather. Im not afraid of a little adventure, but being cold, wet and muddy just isnt as fun and not the kind of challenge Im looking for.

I would consider if possible to go earlier, or do some part on train. It is cheap and easy to put bike on train.