Anyone in Central Asia, Altai-Russia & Mongolia between mid-July and end-August 2012?
 

Hi Guys,
As the thread title says: Anyone in that part of the world at that time? I’ve teamed up with a predominately Dutch group of bikers to share a container from Holland to Almaty in Kazakhstan, opening container on 16 July. Then most people are going their separate ways. Maybe some are going the same as me, who knows… Most seem to be riding back to Europe.

I intend to maybe do a 3 week loop through Uzbek, Taj, Kyrg and back to Almaty. Then in early August head through the Altai region of Russia and enter through the western border into Mongolia and ride to UB.

I’ll be on a modified (and ancient) Transalp (stiffer suspension, big tank, soft luggage and Pirelli MT21 tyres). I’ve done a lot of green-laning in the UK and abroad, mainly on a DRZ, so not scared of the rough(er) stuff, but I do like to drink beer in the evening. I intend to camp/stay in cheap guesthouses and eat in the street/off my camping stove.

Anyone in the area, maybe doing something similar? I’m not particularly looking for somebody to ride with the whole trip and I definitely don’t want to hold anybody’s hand, but possibly you’re going the same way on the same day and we can ride a little together.

Cheers
Chris

hi chris
i will start from france, end of may, thru austria, hungaria, romania, moldavia, ukraine, russia, kasakstan, uzbekistan, (perhaps kirghistan, and tadji) kazakstan, russia, entering mongolia early aug , russia( vladi) mid/end aug.
i ll drive alone untill mongolia, where i ll meet a friend at the western border with his bike - i want to spend a month in mongolia, i was there last year where i made a 5000km off road with a friend on small xt 250s, off road, and i want to explore more, in the south, particularly , western part of the gobi - and definitly going there alone out of beaten tracks is not the best option there.
i ll be with my adventure 950, well prepared for tough riding and as you, there will be lot of camping in the wild and flexible accomodation..
definitly we can cross our roads somewhere and do some legs together- if possible- i m struggling with my russian visa at the moment..

Hiya Chris

We leave UK mid-May. Route is Europe, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan (Silk road), Tajikistan (Pamir highway, Wakan valley), Kyrgystan, Kazahstan, Russia, Mongolia for a month from mid July(Southern then Northern routes), then Russia and home.

Look out for a black XT600e and a BMW GS 1200A (a good example of the light or heavy question!).

I will check the HUBB from time to time so post.

Dan

Or some might say, midweight vs heavyweight ... ;) (just being saying on another post that a light adventure bike for me is sub 120-130 kgs)


Sorry mate, will be thru there with about 6 other guys but much earlier ... end of June / early July

'will be thru there with about 6 other guys but much earlier ... end of June / early July'


We'll probably be in Uzbek/Tajik/Kyrg/Kaz about that time. Maybe bump into you! (with our heavy bikes!!)

bier

Dan

Hi tba01
Yeh, Our paths might cross. I'll post my more exact movements on this thread as they happen. Maybe we'll ride some together.

Hi Dan
As mentioned above, I'll post my movements here and check the HUBB too. My Trannie is also black. Seems to be in vogue this season (although all my Rats have been and always will be black...) :mchappy:

Hi Walter
Shame I'll miss you. I heard about your trip. Sounds interesting.

cheers
Chris

Hi to you all,
I have planed to be in the area this summer.
My route:
Departure from Romania: 21 April 2012
Turkey – Georgia – Armenia – Georgia – Azerbaijan entering Turkmenistan from Azerbaijan by ferry: mid may 2012.
The Stans – 4 to 5 weeks - Uzbekistan - Tadjikistan - Kirgistan - Kazakhstan.
Russia - Mongolia: entering Mongolia around 25 June 2012 from Tashanta.
Tashanta - Ulan Bataar - Ulan Ude - Vladivostok.
Plan to be in Vladivostok around 15-20 of July, and from there ship the bike by boat to Magadan and fly there.
Magadan: beginning of August 2012
Road of Bones, Old Summer Road (depending on the weather) - Yakutsk – Viliustk Trackt - Myrni - Lensk mid August 2012
Lensk - Ust Kut (boat) - Magistralny (here I will decide on the BAm depending on time, weather, bike status etc.)
If BAM is a no go then to Magistralny and south on Zhilagovo Road - Olkon Island - Irkutsk – beginning of September 2012
In September coming back home from Russia via Transiberian highway, Volvograd – Kiev – Cernauti – Bucharest.

Also looking for riding partners to share the road.

safe travels,
Adrian
asilindean@gmail.com

Hi Adrian
Nice trip you have planned. Looks like you're ahead of me all the way. Might spot you on your way home!
cheers
Chris

Chris

Im out there in June - Aug

We met at the Bristol Hubb meet with Iain and Debz


My entry into Russia is via Turkey, probably Sochi, my Russian visa should start 1st June..

PS I have asked to be your friend of facebook :-)

Cheers
Geordie aka Will

Hi Will
Did you have the WeeStrom at Mendip? You're on a TT6 for this trip, I think?

Our paths might cross. Let's stay in touch.

I'll confirm you as my Friend when I get a moment bier I very rarely go on Facebook. So much hot air/ gossip to plow through to learning anything productive. For me, it's better to communicate via the HUBB or PM/Email.

cheers
C

Yes Chris

Was on my wee strom, now gone to a new home :-(

the garage now has a Suzuki DR250 and my TT600, just finishing it off and adding panniers etc

Hopefully our paths will cross... a few beers would be very welcomed

Cheers
Geordie aka Will

Hi Guys

Looks like I am travelling the wrong way :) I am flying out to Almaty at the same time as Chris (I am one of the others sharing the container). Then will be heading West via Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and home to the UK. Leaving Almaty sometime in the 3rd week of July 20012.

By the sound of it I should meet most of you coming the other way. So look out for a blue DRZ400s. As I will be travelling towards ground that you have already passed I would be really interested in hearing your experiences over a few beers, the first ones on me :) . I plan to wild camp and homestay mostly. I do a lot of off road stuff in the UK so am comfortable with the more challenging routes, obviously when travelling solo that has to be tempered a bit for safely so if anyone is interested in meeting up for a few days to try some more remote routes email me and hopefully something can be sorted.

I will have a Spot 2 gps with tracking so if anyone is interested send me a pm and I will send you the link to the tracking page and you will know where I am.

Cheers Nick

The bike, ready to be loaded into the container to Almaty:

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/e555pic3.jpg

Also in the area - dates are aprox:
- 04-14.Jun Iran
- 14-17.Jun Turkmenistan
- 17.23.Jun Uzbekistan
- 23-02.Jul Tajikistan (PAMIR HIGHWAY)
- 02-07.Jul Kyrgistan
- 12-20.Jul Russia (+TUVA)
- 20-02.Aug Mongolia
- 02.Aug - Hoping for heading to Vladivostok for shipping to USA (not decided)
ANYONE UP FOR SHIPPING VLAD to anywhere in North America in that periode?

Anyone got a bike for sale in the Stans
 

Hi, Looking to buy a bike in Kazakhstan/Almaty or one of the other stans if someone has something, please get in touch. Or if anyone knows where I might pick something up, that'd be great. I'll be in Almaty in the second week on June about, but could be a bit flexible in this.

Cheers

Kimmo

Bike is not quite ready to go but getting there. Bit more loaded up than your Chris.

Wot! :( Nick, what are you carrying?:confused1: My luggage includes various spares, tent, sleeping bag, stove...

Below is me trail riding in France on my DRZ and I though I was overloaded!

http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...1/DSCN5434.jpg

Pillows :) I filled the panniers with 3 pillows aside to give me an indication of carrying capacity, way too much don't need that much space. I have a smaller set which will fit on the rack so plan B :) . What is the carrying capacity of the loop you are using?

Bike slimmed down and delivered to Holland :)

Hey Chris, I will be interested to maybe meet you when entering Mongolia and ride to Ulaanbaatar

My current plan is to enter Russia the 14 july and to reach Mongolia at the begining of August and then ride to Vlad in the end of august-september.

Will be on an XRV750 Africa Twin.

Sounds like a cunning plan. I'll try to remember to update this post so you know my movements.

cheers
C

I will do the same.

I think it's better to ride with someone else on the offroad part :thumbup1: .

hey Chris,

i will be in almaty around end of July, coming from KKH->Kyrgyzstan.
Riding a 2001 transalp. Also heading for Mongolia->Vladivostok->Japan

Could be, that our paths cross. Would be nice!

Moritz

Hi Moritz
Yeh, could well be in the same area. I'm likely to ride my route Almaty > Kyrg > Taj > Uzbek > Kaz > Altai Russia (then Mongolia) clockwise, so might not return to Almaty.

I'll post my timings here as I know them.

There's a pic of my bike in post #13, so you'll easily recognise me.

cheers
Chris

My start with tenere: 17-th july from Serbia, than I will be on 20-th on bigest russian moto meeting in Sevastopol, than I go to Kazakhstan, Almaty, take up visa and go to Bishkek, Kirgistan. Than, Tajikistan, if I can get visa, Afganistan and Vackan valley. Than, I go north....I will see, maybe Mongolia, maybe Russia and back to Europa.
I hope we meet which other somewhere in Stans country:clap::mchappy:bier.
My motorcycle: Yamaha xt600 tenere, its not hard to recognised her...
http://fodi.frubar.net/files/4AAD265...BE75_thumb.jpg
http://fodi.frubar.net/files/1D3A173...B4A8_thumb.jpg
http://fodi.frubar.net/files/91357BE...A6F9_thumb.jpg

Hi sciii
I'll definitely keep an eye out for you.

Have a safe ride.
Chris

Hey,

I start in 2 weeks from Bishkek on my f650GS.

I was there last year but had an accident in the mountains, broke my wrist and had to suspend the trip.

I met some good people though who offered to keep my bike safe until I return.

I am also heading to Mongolia but I have to be back in the UK mid-September at the latest.

If I meet someone on the way, I wouldn't mind going together via west Mongolia, otherwise if by myself I will probably go by Irkutsk.

Henryk

Hi everyone,

we are just in Barnul / Russia, where we met Iain and Debz and Craig & Sharon (Ozzies on a KTM).
W will enter Kas latest on Monday (11.7), try to cross it within 5 days, to avoid the registration.
Enter Kirgistan, spend 3 weeks there, do the Parmirs via Tadschikistan (2 weeks) and rougly another 2 weeks in Usbekistan, before we take the road from Nukus to Beynur (kas) to leave. Then via KAS, RUS, Ukraine, Poland... back home to Germany.
We are on a 650 Dominator and a 750 Africa Twin.

Maybe see one or the other on the road.

Good and save travels

Alexandra & Andre

PS: Kasachstan police is very keen for extra money, so stick to the speed limits everywher and buy the insurance at the boarder

Hi Alexandra & Andre

Thanks for the information. I will be in Almaty on the 14 travelling a similar route through the Pamirs so hopefully will see you on your travels. I will be on a Blue Drz400s. My Spot is SPOT Shared Page and will be active from the 14th.

Will look out for you.

Cheers Nick

Hi Henry
Our paths might cross en route. There seem to be lots of people in that part of the world. I'll post my approx itinerary on this thread as I know it (I'm just taking things day by day). I fly to Almaty on Saturday with Nick (Schoe000). My latest eta in UB will be end of August. My vague plan is in post #1 of this thread.

Hi A and A
My approximate plan is posted above. Might see you on the road. Look out for a black Transalp.

Have a safe ride,
cheers
C

Hey all we will leave for Mongolia tomorrow or the next day from Barnaul if anyone is interested.

Hi Craig
Have a good ride. I'm about a month behind you. Let us know how you get on.

I arrive by air on Sun in Almaty and hopefully have bike cleared through customs by end of Mon. Then a loop round Kyrgz, Taj, Uzbek and Kaz before following your tyre tracks.

cheers
C

Sounds good. We have come from there and really loved it, especially Tadjikistan. If you have the time, I would recommend stopping at both KaraKul (second guesthouse on your way in - marked with Colebatch's waypoints) and Murghab Sary-Kol guesthouse it is just off the road to China signposted. Both were great.

Along with Lalmore's Lodge in Khorog (next to Pamir Lodge).

Many thanks for the heads-up on these. Really loking forward to my trip.

Okay we are leaving Barnaul in the morning. If anyone wants to tag along let me know.

Well currently in Khovd still looking for someone to travel the North route with. We are doing some sightseeing tomorrow down to the Tsenkheriin Cave. After that who knows.

In the words of Marvin Lee Aday: 2 out of 3 ain't bad: Almaty is sunny, Girls are pretty, no have bike.


Assuming container is opened today, will cross border to Kyrg at Biskek tom (17July), then 7 days in Kyrg, then Taj for 7 days, Samarqand/Uzbek etc. Maybe cross into Altai-Russia from Kaz about 05Aug, then Mongolia.

If our paths could cross, post here or email me via my website.

later
C

PS. My Kaz cell number is +7777 five two 88 5 four 6 Allegedly it works in all Central Asia and Rus (Beeline network)... We'll see tomorrow... Text messages only pls. My mum has told me not to speak to strangers :)

I guess Mongolia is just going to be full of Transalps this year.

I will probably be there late August as well, but things are pretty liquid at the moment. I'll keep an eye on this and will post again when I know something more definite. Would be nice to meet up with other riders again.

Ok, I start tommorow from Serbia, I hope we meet in Central Asia. I have to take two tires or just the last:confused1::confused1:. I have new two on motorcycle but 100 kilos:frown:.

Hey, starting after tomorrow from switzerland (damn russian visa took their time...), I will take the ferry germany-lituany to regain some time.

I expect to be at the Altai/Mongolia border around the 7 august. Checked with Hellcoder also he wil be there around the 2nd week of august.

Took your phone number chris will give you a text once I am around.

My flight is tomorrow at 11AM.
Landing in Bishkek at 5AM on the 19th - going straight to my friends workshop to check the bike.
The plan is to spend max one week in Kyrgyzstan, then Kazakhstan for another week to make it to Barnaul for early August... :scooter:

Henryk

Today 20july, I'm in Balykchy on the western end of Issy-Kul/ Kygyzstan. I'm leaving here later today.

Approx itinerary over next couple of days is south to Sol-Kul (today), Naryn, Tash Rabat, Baetov, Kazarman, Jalal-Abad, Osh and the to the Taj border at Sary Tash. Approx time to border is 5 to 7 days.

Then Pamir Hwy via Ishkashim to Dushanbe.

My Kaz cell number (above) seems to work in Kyrg in the towns. I check it every evening. If I have it on all day, the battery goes flat v quickly.

So, look out for my even more scratched black TA. I had a little incident involving gravity and the edge of a cliff. :oops2:Very surprised the bike is still running.

Ahh Chris,
we just missed by one day. arrived at Cholpon-Ata before yesterday.
My blue transalp is still looking very good, but it's not running so well anymore, really need a good mechanic who can sync/clean my carborator and stuff like that. The KKH worked hard on the bike :P

But maybe see you up there in Altai/Mongolia...

Have a nice ride, there are a lot of traditional celebrations at Sol-Kul these days.

Cheers
Moritz

we are just now in Bishkek in the Sakuara Guesthouse and will cross the boarder to Tadschikistan about the 3rd of August and do the Pamir Highway.
We will stay in Bishkek another 1 or 2 days

Honda AT & Dominator

Alexandra & André

Hey,
I am in Bishekek too. My GS is fixed and ready to go!!!
Went round Issyk Kul lake last weekend to test the bike.
Tomorrow going to Almaty and probably Thursday starting my way up towards Russian border.
I am planning to take it easy and be in Barnaul before the end of the month.
I am quite flexible and can wait for a few days to hit Mongolia together.

Chris: I met the Dutch group yesterday at the lake, they had a problem with the KTM but they text me later to say it was fixed...

Henryk

I am in Sevastopol now, I was with Doug, he go around Black Sea, I tommorow I go to Volgograd and Samara...Alexandra, I hope we meet there, I dont know who much time I need to be in Almaty and Bishkek. I driving 15-hour non stop, no problem for me:mchappy:. If you see Yamaha tenbere 600 with reserve tyres on baggage its me:D See you people:Beach:

Bad News Pamir Highway / Khorog
 

Hi everybody,

bad news for all who want to travel via the Pamir Highway.
See this link:
BBC News - Tajikistan clashes: 'Many dead' in Gorno-Badakhshan

Just a rough summary. There is fighgting going on in and around Khorog.
More than 200 killed. People can't leave their houses. Only military and emergency vehicles can pass.
Apparently the boarder between Kirgistan and Tadschikistan (Osh to Murghab) is closed.
We will go to the the Tadschgik embassy today and hope to find out, which boarders are open. There is one between Osh and Dushanbe, where the trucks from China are going.

There is definately no way to travel the Pamir Highway at the moment.

A real shame, as Khorog especially is a highlight in this area itself.

So check the situation, before you start to the Pamirs.

Alexandra & André

As per end of Sat 28th July, I'm back in Osh/Kyrg (Tes Guesthouse) after having visited Tajikistan. The sh!t has indeed hit Khorog. It is possible to enter Tajik via Sary Tash and travel as far as Murgab (I was turned away from continued travel towards Khorog or Ishakrim(sp??)/Wakan valley at 3pm on 27july). They are letting tourists out the Pamir region via the border near Sani Tash.

You can enter Tajik and travel as far as Murgab, but no further along the Pamir Hwy.

So, some people are now traveling via the Bartang(sp??) valley to get to Dushanbe. It is doable on a push-bike and also on 2 Polish AfTwins with lots of luggage (I saw their videos: looked nice). Asuming no/little rain...

I'm heading north via Bishkek to Almaty. Hope to enter Altai-Russia in early August. Then Mongolia.

If you want to contact me, my Kaz cell phone number is best (I posted it earlier...). My internet access is v internittent.

Later
C

Oh, no, I am in Kurgan, Siberia (Russia) and I think to come in to Kazahstan...now, I dont know what I doing....maybe I drive around Siberia....:eek3::eek3::eek3:......

Hey Scii just 3 days behind you, I am in Kazan right now, will be stopping also in kurgan then head to omsk->novissibirisk->Barnaul.

Hey,
I am in Barnaul now.
Leaving tomorrow for the border.
There is a really good service here if someone is in need. The guy is called Victor, speaks only Russian, he works with a guy called Andrei he does speak English, email me if you want their contact numbers.
Victor knows his stuff really well.

GPS Coordinates: N 53 deg 20.224' E 083 deg 39.861'

My Russian number +79132667669

Henryk

Just this second arrived back in Almaty/Kazakhstan (01 Aug). Heading for Semey and Barnaul tomorrow. Likely 2 days to S and a further day or 2 to B, so 3 or 4 days approx to Barnaul.

cheers
C

Victor's workshop is also waypointed in Colebatch's waypoints (see the North Asia forum)

We are leaving from Ulan Ude to Vald sometime in the next week or so if any one wants to join us. We are fairly flexible so can wait a little we need to be in Vlad on the 19th.

Just watched some video footage from a mate's helmet cam who rode through Khorog shortly after the shootings. There was a 2 hours ceasefire and they rode through town coming from the Pamir region, heading north towards Dushanbe. There are streams of women and childen leaving and trucks full of local men driving in to join the fight.

Also roadblocks and burnt out trucks and tanks. Looked very scarey and young soldiers (the opposition to the the above mentioned local men) with big machine guns.

If you get in, good luck. I'm heading the opposite way, for Russia, and will try to be manly enough to dodge the stupid car drivers and marginally more intelligent cows and donkeys.

PS. Went to My Town Moto to buy some oil and saw Walter, HU and Tiff's stickers on the gate:cool4:

Met up with Moritz (Hellcoder) in Semey/Kaz and will head for Barnau/Rus tomorrow/today (depends when you read this...) 04 August.

I'll aim to enter Mongolia before next Friday (10Aug). I think Moritz has a more flexible timeframe.

Hi is that Keith (from Almaty) videocam as I and him rode though the city of Khorog just during ceasefire and we only saw one other motorcyclist with DRZ400 trying same at that time?

Hi Sami
It's Chris here, the Brit bloke on the black Transalp from Song Kul lake. Yeh, I met with Keith for a beer in Almaty a couple of days ago. He showed me the webcam footage on his netbook. The back of your bike (and back of your head: your best side :innocent:?) is in most of the video.

Seriously, it looked scarey riding round all those burnt out trucks and stuff. And riding on the pavement. Although there was no sound, your dialogues and with the guy on the DRZ looked very urgent.

Good that you got through ok.

How is the boring ride across the Steppes of Russia? When do you expect to be home in Finland?

Arrived in Barnaul today. Glad to be out of Kazakhstan. With the exception of Almaty, I thought it was a sh!thole.

Ride safely.

Hi Chris!

Yes i figured we met in Songkul. Good to hear your safely in Almaty. I just sented email to Keith of video material as i am also interested to see my best side :)

Yes, i have to say riding through Khorog wasnt probably most pleasent riding experience i have had. At the first i felt also nervous as we were first directed to small bridge and i got my bike stuck there. People then directed us to go into that big bridge where we met UK guy with DZR. Suprisingly even after that were in more dangerous zone i felt more calmer and i dont know how well it is visible what happened in that roadblock with BTR-80 and young soldier with machine gun. I just later have thought it and thought how damn dangerous situation that actually was. Then it didnt felt it at all though when soldier jumped back and removed safety i thought he is going to shoot.

I am allready back in Finland as i rode really fast through Uzbekistan, Kazakstan and Russia. Basiscly 3 days from Bukhara to Finland. Driving from Mongolia through Russia steppe to Europe/FInland is damn boring as there is not much to see if your using main highway.

Drive safely Chris and hope to hear how your doing there. You can drop me a email sami.viljanen(at)gmail.com

Hi, I was in Novosibirsk and I now go home to Europe. Its born to driving in Russian steppe, but I driving 800-1000km per daz and fast go out. Be carefful and good way to all. Police in Russia are normal and I have not problem. In Ukraina I have problem and stay without 60e for nothing (coruption and realy mafia are in police).

In Tsetserleg, Mongolia today (Fairfield GH), finally on the pavement, after riding the "Middle" Route via Olgi, Ullangom, Chjargas Nuur lake, Songino, Tosontsengel etc. Heading for UB probably tomorrow, maybe taking 2 days.

Riding with German chap Moritz/Hellcoder on HUBB.

Had lots of fun en route (will try to get ride report started sooner than later), including suberged bike, sun, rain, storms, sleet, snow, big mud, dust, sand, wonderful views, complete white out etc. Apparently "worst rains for 30 years".

Gone slightly mad and become a cannibal too, see attached pic. Luckily lucid enough to write the occasional post on the HUBB. Internet connect p!ss poor, so won't write much (conveniently?).

xx

Nice One!

I am out of Mongolia already...

I took the southern route eventually via Altai, Bayankhongor - lots of corrugated roads but the weather was good, only rained until Khovd then blue sky all the way...

Henryk