Fewest possible countries
 

Scotland, UK.

My wife and I are thinking of taking a run in 2003, leaving Aberdeen to Murmansk, riding to Vladivostok, grabbing a merchant to Portland, Oregon, taking a ride to NY, then home to Scotland. The only tiny wee question is, can the Russia leg actually be done by road or will it involve loading the bikes onto trains, thereby 'cheating' ourselves?

nb, this is not as flippant as it sounds. The fact we're researching now should perhaps give a clue!


[This message has been edited by agstrang (edited 06 November 2001).]

Since the more experienced haven't answered, I will take a shot at it. I have done a bit of planning for a similar trip.
Most people put their bikes on the train for a few hundred kilometers, as the roads are not so good and there are a number of river crossings. I think there is a story in the current E-zine. Easier than the Darien Gap, but not a stroll in the park. I know 5 people who have crossed Russia, all of them have used the train. Search through back issues of the E-zine for more information.
Maybe we will cross paths someplace. I am going the opposite direction (from Japan) in 2003. Was planning for '02, but I have some things here to straighten out before going.
If you are going all the way to Vladivostok, hop on the ferry and visit Japan while you are at it!
PS,
I think the question better fits the "route planning" section...

hi agstrang, hi chris,

2003 - yeah, I will be also in this part of the world again.

agstrang, I have crossed Russia, ( except from moscow to novosibirsk ). Your idea sounds good. I put the bike on the train between Chernychevsk and Skovrodino (800km) because it was raining alot (end of august). But people have traveled this strech by bike, a German guy even took a 1100GS alone thru this part (I think his name is Erwin Thoma) try to contact him. On his website you will find informations about this 800km part.

Chris, how are you ? Departure date 2003. Sounds good as well, because as you maybe remember I want to go to Sibiria again in that year, and mostlikly stoping over in Japan to get a bike. I will try a six months visa and be in Vladivostok in early may, or end of april. your beemer still running ? Just got my shock absorber serviced here in perth yesterday after all the corugation, the tenere is just running great.

You both will hopefully like Russia as much as I do.

Amstrang, contact me directly for more details.

Hope to see you ...

Mika travelling OZ in Perth

Thanks for the replies. The 800km gap doesn't seem such a huge problem as the train seems to serve well.