Hi Jimmy, I too am thinking of going there
 

Hi Jimmy, I live between UK and Nongkhai Thailand and have been thinking of doing same thing but route I would like to go is southern Europe, Turkey and down to Saudi then get ferry to India and then Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma) and then into Thailand in the north east and yes I have been told that you cannot travel in Myanmar but I have met many who have do so and if you wish to go to lao you can cross on the bridge in Nongkhai.
Regards
Ken
PS , if any one has ideas going this route then please contact me , oh and I have had experience as used to be HGV driver doing middle east and then mainly Turkey and Greece :scooter:

Myanmar/Laos/Thailand
 

Hi Ken001

You've got me intrigued. All my research shows Burma (Myanmar) as pretty well closed, unless on a government (controlled) tour. In other words, not likely to get a visa as an independant traveller. There are roads through China, but interprovince travel isn't always possible (officially), so can't see a readily passable route through to (nice n' easy) Thailand from the top right hand corner of India.

Any further info' you've got on this would be really welcome. I see your up in Merseyside .... Don't suppose you're able to make the October 6th meet North London at the Ace cafe?

Len

it can be done
 

Hi Len
Yes I know that many people say it can't be done but I have been in north Thailand for over 21 years and have met on many occasions riders who have passed through Burma, I have even been inside but only up to 6 Ks as this is all you are allowed to go before needing a visa, many ex-pats do this for shopping but as for bikers I am told if you keep to the main highway then you can pass through from Indian border to Thailand border but if things work out with the present uprising then who knows it may be fully open by next spring. I would love to come to the meeting in London but its getting the time so any chance of closer to Merseyside, what type of bike would you go on I am thinking of a V Strom 1000, also you can go via Athens to Alex and then down to Saudi that way its a very easy route but ferry a little pricy.
please come back with your ideas on this Len.
Regards
Ken:scooter:

uk to singapore
 

hi mate me and my mate are planning trip to singapore from london next june 2008 we are prob gonna get bmw 650 dakars, i am trying to get more info on china as we awnt to go kazakstan china laos thailand,so far all i can find out that it costs about $10000 and have to go thru china travel agent.let me knw anything you find out and ill do same. i am in the states and will prob be comming over to london at xmas to buy bie and make plans. mabey we could meet up. cheers tom

Welcome Atlanta
 

Hi Tom ....

Welcome to the thread mate. I for one am hoping to vacate these wet n' windy shores for the Xmas break. But will be around again early in the new year. So if you're still here, maybe wecould arrange another meeting then.

As you I'm keen to find out more about travel in China. If I find anything important out will post it on here.

Keep in touch Len

Myanmar is closed
 

I´ve heard of only 1 single person, whos made it with a bike into Burma/Myanmar lately, that was some years ago. And he lived in India, spoke the same languages as the Burmese officials, had lots and lots and lots of connections, (and patience!) and was able to negotiate with them for months. And even then he wasnt allowed to cross the whole country, only some parts of it, and freight the bike for the rest. Said the roads were piss poor, too. There was a thread on this at the gt-rider.com forums (2004, maybe?)

And since then, the junta has become even more paranoid, and moved the capital elsewhere etc., so at the moment, just forget that your going to get your bike in there. It aint happening, simple as that. I hope theres going to be a bloodless change of power soon, who knows, maybe its possible with the protests and all, and then the country could, after some time, open to foreigners. Thats just wishful thinking for now...

October 6th meet
 

Hi guys ......

Reminder to all the other thread watchers ..... there's a meeting pencilled in for October 6th at the Ace Cafe North West London area.

Anyone else up for it, then get in touch or leave a post ASAP so we can arrange times for comings and goings.

Regards Len (UK to Oz via Asia 2008)

October meet.
 

Hey guys - I shall not make the meet but would appreciate an update on peoples plans.
I am working up a route - more a list of places of interest to join together - on behalf of a splinter group that has got together through e-mail and this thread. Once the route is shared, we'll decide which points to join up as we go along. We aim to start in the first week of May 08 when Mick gets his bike shipped in from Oz. Duration is three months. Currently three riders and one pillion.
The route so far is down to Czech, Solvakia, Hungry, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, Russia and then back by either Finland/Norway or Ukraine/Poland depending on time.
Cheers
Paul

meeting
 

Hello Len, Bjorn, Fizzy, Jim, PaulM and All, just to let you know I can't do Saturday meeting. (selling my flat and packing boxes)
Still working out routes and visa stuff, mostly with PaulM and joining dots on the map with help from Lonely Planet guide.
So far it's a ride through Europe to Turkey, then various countries ending with Stan,into Mongolia, has been suggested that we put bikes on Trans Siberian railway for some of the trip back.
All still very flexible regarding dates (though 1st of May seems a good date to aim for departure) and once again Turkey seems to be where routes divert, some going north to Stans,others south towards south east asia.
Hope the meeting goes good, let me know of any developments.
See ya on the dusty road somewhere. Brian.

meeting
 

To Brian ... Not to worry, as I'm sure we'll get another meeting together in the not too distant future. Good luck with the packing etc, and keep in touch ......

Meeting's still on ...
For anyone else following this thread, tomorrows meeting's still on!!!! I spoke to Bjorn earlier, who say's he's going to do his best to get there by midday. I'm setting out from Bristol circa 9.00am, with a view to arriving Ace Cafe late morning. For those of you haven't met me (which is everyone), I'll be guy with long long gray hair and matching beard.

NB. to find the Ace Cafe see: Welcome to the Ace Cafe London Home Page

Len

hi guys
 

Im trying to find a route to do the same thing UK to thailand[ have family there and possibly a few months work so i can continue to OZ or ship to america and head to S.America again got a place to stay and potential job in peru]. I just got a africa twin [650] and im starting to prepare it for the journey. Im very very new to biking[ im just sorting out my license now] so would love to do it with a group. Ill be free from work from feb 2008 but could easily lurk getting some more cash for a few more months in the uk. I may have some use to a group i was a chef many years ago and my current job gave me plenty of first aid experiance.
Even if you dont want to babysit the scotsman any help with route or equipment your taking[ including best gear/lids to wear] would be most helpful.
feel free to email me its in my profile
thx,
garry

Update on Ace cafe meeting
 

Hi All, welcome Pictish..I made it to the Ace and met up with Lenz and Bjorn..Spent a good few hours discussing our various plans and ideas.Bjorn is releasing an excel spreadsheet to which all interested parties can add there routes and times, this will enable pre planned meetings along the way.... It seems there are two routes, the North and the South. South route including India maybe Iran and Nepal and freighting bike from Nepal. North route revolves around transiting China, entry being through one of the Stans the exit being Lao.Travel dates are constrained by weather since some of the passes on the North route are not/open passable till June onwards. I would like to be in Thailand mid August which means entering China mid July, the cost of guides and paperwork means China is perhaps a bit too expensive for a lone traveller, however a group of 5 with a 30 day transit schedule can split the guide cost to a reasonable $600 each plus paperwork. So if there are 4 others who are interested please get in touch. Its not neccessary to travel on the same route through Europe as long as we meet on or before the border.Pictish there will be at least one more meeting early next year, re gear etc use the HUBB to search and read up, and ask questions...

Regards all Jimmy46

regards china
 

Hey there have u tried contacting the British Consulate in Almaty in kazak they helped a lone biker through the border last year. He didnt have the guide either and travelled freely. Although it was a bit of a run around to get in. I think the requirement other than the visa for himself was a multi language/national ownership doc in chinese. Will try to get more info on this as it could save a lot of cash.
thx,
garry

gonna be a bit of delay getting bike ready as apparently i dont live in mainland britain according to the delivery firm[ im 20 miles north of aberdeen where apparently anything north of this is not mainland]

ok other method china
 

temporary driver's license now issued at airports and borders[i think] international driving license or home country one required.

bike registration ie numberplates[ believe these have been issued in past to bikes.

this method has been done by a german couple

Re China
 

Hi Pictish, I read about jake, www.slowbikes.com/Home and his success at entering China without a guide. I have e mailed him several times for further info but so far no reply. I hope that it is possible without a guide and plan to enter China by mid July, giving me 30 days to transit. If anyone has any confirmed info please post...( I wondered if Jake got lucky or just smuggled the bike in?) I understand he was too early weather wise and had to put the bike on a train to avoid high cold snow covered passes ( or travel between areas got difficult with a smuggled bike?) I have no evidence to support the smuggled hypothesis, just covering all possibilities...Ken can you get in touch?...

Have fun ...Jimmy

meeting/contact details spreadsheet ... and other stuff
 

First off is Hi to Pictish ... welcome to the thread.

And to Jimmy .... great to meet ya Saturday. I thought the meeting was really useful and intend following up on the info' you put my way. Have mailed Ken telling him I'd given you his contact details. Guess he'll be in touch soon.

Bjorn .... top jigger matey! Am really impressed with how well organised your travel plans are. You've given me a new lease of life after having to delay things for this year. I'm pretty excited at the possibilities for getting through China, though your contingency looks genuinely workable.

Looking forward to seeing you both at the next meeting, so we can avachat about travel plans again.

And to anyone else still following the thread ... I've cobbled together a spreadsheet with basic contact details/route/travel plans. My thoughts are to have something that keeps track of who's intending going where and when. It's already gone out to a few guys that I've got email addresses for. Anyone else who's interested, then leave a post to this effect and I'll drop you a PM to exchange Eaddress's. After which, I'll to send it on for you to add your stuff.

The plan for this is: As anyone sends in their details, will update the original and then circulate back to all interest parties. That way we can all keep in touch a bit easier, as well staying up to date with the latest itineraries ...

Catch ya'll later ....... Lenzzzzzzz

Sorry I missed the meeting
 

Hi Len nice to talk to you yesterday and yes Jimmy please feel free to call me anytime on the number Len has given you, I have now ordered my new bike
( V STROM 650 X ) and getting delivery 2 November, I would prefer leaving end of April so as to arrive mid July in Thailand which would mean transiting K/Stan end May and June and what I have found is that it should be snow free but like all things it could happen any time we just take it as it comes, (just find a bar and wait).

I hope we can get as many as possible to go as safety in numbers, I hope we can all meet up hopefully soon as possible or at least get to know each other by phone, if any one would like to chat on phone then email with you number and I will call.
Safe riding
Ken

to bjorn, len, thanks your mail. been lurking in the background since i'm heading that way - north route stans / china / laos, if possible. after some initial contacts with chinese agents it sort of narrow down to what jimmy has mentioned - min group of 5 ... may be possible but need to apply early many months ahead.

count me in, provided not too late in the entry. am told route is passable from early may, so an earlier entry date would suit fine.

sheen

Group Dates
 

Hi Sheen, I have spoken to Len,Ken,Bjorn and it seems we all started with different time plans...I have brought mine forward to match Kens...Not sure if Bjorn is going to do the same ..Len was unsure when we met last week. Bjorn has a time based spreadsheet that should be filled in by everyone interested and maybe it will evolve into two seperate groups on two seperate dates.... early May is too soon for me I want to be in Thailand early July and imagine the China transit will take a Month..therefore Early June is my prefered entry date..I believe this is the same for Ken...we need perhaps a minimum of two more for that for the costs to become sensible. I havn't checked the weather in China in early May but advise you to check the weather on the high passes and mountains ...As and when we have a firm travel group it may work best if we split the tasks between us..one handles routing, one does visas, one does China permissions, one does logistics for service and spares/tyres etc...I think we need to be firm by the new year in order to sort China out before we leave U.K. in May

Regards Jimmy

High altitude passes
 

Hey Jimmy,
PaulM here from other posts on this thread - we've a splinter group from this thread (Mick and Colleen Tharme from Oz and BrianW) that is departing UK early May for Russia/Mongolia and back through The Stans and Eastern Europe. Thanks for getting this much used thread going !!
This is my first 'big one' and I am only 'novice class'. I see from your last post that you're going over some high altitude passes. I've been reading up on high altitude sickness and the use of acetazolomide (Diomox) to accelerate acclimatisation. One for you to consider and maybe advice from others on the HUBB.
Have a great trip and thanks again for getting this going.
Cheers
Paul

Hey Paul
Here's a list of medication I took to Nepal.
I used the Ginko Biloba for a month before I went then used it daily as I ascended and seemed to work till I got to 6,000m, then I fell over!

Daily medication:
Name Use Dosage
Centrum Multivitamin 1 daily
Ginko Biloba Altitude/circulation 1 daily
Glucosamine Joints 1 daily
Doxycycline Diarrhea preventative 1 daily


Other medication as required:
Name Use Dosage
Temaze Sleeping pill 1 tab at night
Norfloxacin Antibiotic 1 tab twice daily
Simplotan Serious diarrhea 4 tabs taken together (1 dose)
Amoxil Antibiotic Chew 1 tab 3 times daily

Panadeine Forte Strong pain
Nurofen Aches and pain
Panadol Extend Headaches

Zyrtec Hayfever

Gastrolyte Hydration

Getting across China
 

Hi there threadwatchers .....

I've been talking with Sheen earlier today (see previous page of the thread). He's been doing his homework for getting across China, and has come up with some interesting proposals.

As he's indicated, it would need 5 people for it to viable. We've got up to 4 of us so far who are looking to get across to Laos/Thailand for middle of next year, leaving as early in 2008 as practical (April/May). Which would leave a place for at least one more person that would allow us to push ahead with this plan to get thro' the country.

Me, Ken, Bjorn and Jimmy (Hi Guys) have already been in touch, with a view to getting something organised between us. But there may be others of you interested in finding out more ... If so get in touch ASAP, and will let you have as much info' as I've got so far.

Catch ya later ........ Lenzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Interested ....
 

When & where are you guys having your next meet .... ?

Gats '

hello jimmy, i have meet-ups in malaysia mid july, therefore beg july in thailand is fine ie entry dates from stans end may / beg june. are there any more riders keen to come onboard to ride across china ?? nice to have 2/3 more to drum up an application. there will be chinese surprises waiting, am thinking earlier the application the better, given the long application process they need.

sheen

altitude sickness
 

Hi All,
Its nice to know so many want to go as safety in numbers but I have been a little worried about altitude sickness so went to see my doctor who assures me that anyone no matter how old or how fit can get altitude sickness above 8,000 feet so the more that go the more chance of somebody getting it, which as you all can see means that the whole party must assist him/her and cannot move on till better.

I have looked at the route and as far as I can make out if we keep north of the main mountains ( Himalayas) and head for central China then do a right ( I know it sounds daft ) and head south to Kunming and then Laos I think we should have no problems but still should be up in the 10.000 ft area, so what do you all think about this ?????. looking forward to meeting up with whoever is going sometime next month.

Safe Riding
Ken
:scooter:

Altitude sickness
 

Hi Ken,

Indeed, anyone can get altitude sickness. It doesn't matter how old you are, or if you smoke or not, or if you do lots of sports. But in most cases it only happens if people want too much, too soon.
The trick is to acclimatize properly. I went to Nepal 10 years ago and we did a 17000 ft pass, walking. No problem at all. But I did acclimatise properly and carefully. What a lot of people try to do (wherever possible) is: go up and then a little down again. For example: start at 2000m, go up to 2500-2800 and then try to find a night's sleep a few hundred meters lower.
At the time, once I had done to 17000 ft pass, I got a little dizzy about 1h later when I was already on my way down again. In the evening we slept at 15000 ft, and I was OK.
Whilst doing the pass, we met about 30-40 people over the course of two weeks, coming and going from either side of the pass. No-one had experienced any problems, but again: they all took it easy and spent about 2-3 days around 2500m before they went any further.


Bjorn

Altitude sickness and other stuff ...
 

Oooh! That's something I've not considered. As a mild ashmatic it could be interesting. I'll be travelling with a couple of puffers as normal ... not sure whether they'd help. I'm in generally good nick apart from that, and try to keep moderatly fit with a bit of jogging. But as you say Bjorn, that won't necessarally make any difference .....

To Ken ... are you proposing a meeting next month? Jimmy's neck o' the woods around Birmingham?

Lenzzzzzzzz

stop considering ....
 

Whatever you worry about .....

It'll always be something different that gets you ......

Hi ....
 

Jimmy ....

I originally mooted this trip back in Nov06 ... but got way layed ....

maybe still possible for me ..... not enough posts for a PM ....

but I must be close now ... ha

Next meeting etc
 

Hi All it seems we have more than a little momentum, The google earth add on file that you found Bjorn is amazing!!!. I have sent for more printed maps from bikechina, I tried downloading a GPS map of China but its in Polish format and needs converting to Garmin suitable format...must admit thats not something I am up tp speed with, anyone here into that sort of thing?.I tried newland travel but their web sites down..any luck with contacting guides Bjorn?. Re meeting I am away all December so November would seem best ( though I maybe in Iran for a week then but no confirmed dates yet). I guess a Saturday or Sunday 10th,17th,24th? we don't have a ACE cafe up here but I am sure I can find a suitable place, while I am on does anyone have a systen for forwarding parcels from euroland?. I want to order fromn touratech and have the package forwarded from Europe to me...

Hope to see a lot of you soon Jimmy

November meeting
 

Hi Jimmy, 17 Nov is good for me and hopefully on my new bike, and Bjorn that is a great site full of info make me want to get going tomorrow ??, and Len don't worry I am in same boat regarding health and heights.
take care all
Ken

China maps
 

Hello all
I found this today with plenty of China maps, High clear map,map,China map,shenzhen map,world map,city map,province map,landform map
enjoy.
Ken:scooter:

Joining you guys
 

Designers!!
 

Hi Nick, I am Jimmy, Retired Engineer (gave it up pissed off with designers drawing things that couldn't be made)Ridden all over Cambodia,Lao,Thailand rode UK to south Korea via Vladivostok in 2005. Older than you, find it impossible to use the word chilled except when ordering a decent drink.As for compatability I think a group of more than 4 or 5 presents problems re accomodation, speed, ability etc a group of three rarely works. You are more than welcome at our next meet. Have fun!!

Jimmy

contacts
 

G'day Nick, and welcome to Jimmy's thread.

If you get in touch, I'll send you a spreadsheet with contact details for some other guys following this thread. I've already mailed you with my Eaddress.

I suggest you ava'chat with some of the others. Though don't be too surprised, as madness is a common disease of long-distance bikers

Hear from ya soon. Lenzzzzzzzzzz

spreadsheet
 

Hi Len
Got the spreadsheet "thanks" but I thought you were intending to leave same as me and going direct to Thailand overland and not using plane from India, I think going over the the top is to high for me.
Ken

hi guys!
 

Its me guys,

just wanna inform you all out there, its
MotoGP Sepang, Kuala Lumpur:funmeteryes: this weekend (today)

:welcome: if anyone happen to be nearby....:eek3:

see you all....
maybe next year!:cool4:

:scooter: collecting my FREE tickets soon

I suppose you're trying to make me jealous ........


damn it's working ......


Enjoy .....

It worked!
 

HAH! :thumbup1:
gotcha
Im supposed to get my (free grand stand) tickets yesterday.....:(

:nono: enough is enough! this is not a MOTOGP thread:offtopic:

:oops2:Sorry Jimmy

Great Trip
 

This looks like it will be a fantastic trip.

contact info
 

Hi Guys ....

I've just sent out an updated spreadsheet with everyone's email address and phone numbers (along with basic travel plans and other relevent info').

Anyone who I've left out (probably cos I don't have an email address for you) and wants it, then pm me.

Len

spreadsheet
 

Hi Ken,

I have similar travel plans for spring 08 and therefor strongly interested in the spreadsheet with contacts, routes, etc. Pls send a PM.

many thanks, alex

ps: my own PM does not work yet, cause I have to send 6 more posts..

Similiar trip
 

My friend and I are planning a similiar trip and similiar departure date. We, too, are trying to get into China and also want to end up in SE Asia. I was thinking of leaving from Amsterdam and my friend's bike is in Basel, Switzerland.

I worked for a few weeks in Hong Kong at a Landrover Dealership - the only way they could drive there was with a very special permit - possibly not even a standard application form or anything and they felt lucky to be able to do that every couple of years - I think they got special permission from Mayors or some-one higher up (and money) - any way to say you're chinese or delivering the bike or something? Do it all before you go - it will be very hard to do! The general rule is no-one non-chinese can drive there. full stop.

next meeting
 

Hi All, I have arranged meeting for 24/25 November at the Thaiway man pub/restaurant in warrington just off junction 21 of the M6, food is available if required and accommodation is available also. Anyone traveling up from the south can if they wish contact jimmy who will bring then up in his car (share costs) and leave there bike at his house, all are invited so please if you can post a message to confirm your place, looking forward to meeting you all then.
Regards
Ken:scooter:

re: next meeting
 

Hi Ken and All

New to the Hubb.

Intending to do a trip east through a lot of the countries mentioned in this thread especially interested in seeing China if possible.If there's room on this trip ? I'd like to attend the November meeting.
Planning to leave late spring early summer.

Currently selling the house near Bristol and riding an MVF4 though now looking for a more suitable bike.

Cheers

Peter

Hi Peter
 

Hi Peter,
You are more than welcome to attend the November meeting just let us all know what day is best for you and same goes for everybody else who is attending IE; SATERDAY OR SUNDAY so I can tell my friend in Restaurant,
you should contact Len who is also from Bristol and maybe you could travel up with him and Jimmy. all the best hope to see you then.
Ken:scooter:

Northern Meeting
 

I should be able to make the northern meet. Saturday would suit me better than Sunday.
I'll watch this space for news.
Cheers
Paul

Hi Ken
 

Hi Ken,
Thanks.Saturday would suit though can do Sunday if necessary.As I can't PM yet could Len contact me via here or at groves400@btinternet.com to arrange to drive up?

Regards

Peter

November meeting
 

Hi Guys .....

November meeting sounds good, so well done Ken. As with Paul, Saturday'll do fine for me.

I've squirted the contacts/travel info' spreadsheet out to a couple more people, so this has generated a bit of interest.

For everyone's info' ..... Sheen has some good stuff on China after contacting Chinese Travel agents (irrespective of what anyone else say's, it sounds do'able ... but with some cost of course). I'd advise anyone keen on the China route, to get in contact with him ASAP. To Sheen: If you are able to make the November meeting, it'd be good to meet ya ....

Len

November Meeting
 

Hi All
After getting emails of some of you it appears that Saturday 24 November is the best date for meeting and I think 12.30 would be about right for the time as it gives everybody time to get there and home again before too late.
Hope you all agree on the time and I will post a map before the date, please bring all or any info you have about the trip as this is the time to make definite preparations and of course meet your other riders, also as we are meeting in a restaurant and as the owner is letting us use it for free it would be nice not to abuse it so please if you don't want a meal please could you just have a tea/coffee just to show appreciation ( hope you understand ).

Hope to see you all there
Ken:scooter:

Map for November Meeting
 

Hi All. as promised here is the map link for the November meeting,
There's plenty of parking at rear and please come in at same entrance.

The Highwayman pub (now called the Thaiway man )
Manchester road (junction on kingsway north )
Warrington
WA1 3NJ
Just follow A57 from Junction 21 M6 and its about 2 miles on left.

Just copy and Paste to your address box:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?&t=l&map=53.3965037172284,-2.56540918548715|17|4&loc=GB:53.3965037172284:-2.56540918548715:17#t=l&map=53.39613,-2.53498|15|4&loc=GB:53.3965037172284:-2.56540918548715:17

Ken:scooter:

I'm going to se if I can attend. I'm back in the UK before weekend for the NEC bike show on the thursday, and so if I can extend the trip I'll come along!

Nick

hello all!!!
it looks like theres a few people here that are doing the same rought i was planing and the same time.
im looking to go throw, turkey, iran, pakistan, india, nepal then fly to thailand but if i could get in to china with out it costing to much then would love it. was going to do the loop in SE aisa then ship to Oz.
was hoping to leave in may, june.
i was hopping that a friend of mine would come but i think he's going to let me down and not wonting to go it along would like to meet up with a few outhers heading that way.
so if there's not to many of you and i could fit in to your plans then let me know.
thanks luke.:thumbup1:

More than welcome
 

Hi Luke,
:scooter:You are more than welcome to attend the November meeting and hopefully travel with us to Thailand.
See you there
Ken

hope to see you
 

thanks.
il have to see if i can make it. but it's a long way from norwich in my only transport (a 1968 german arm truck, top speed 50mph). just hope my bike goes better when i get it.
:mchappy:
any one here from close to norwich???

hello again
 

Just to let you know I finally got a response from the UK embassy in china they have asked for what route i wish to take and will provide me with province specific info.

November meeting
 

Hi Pictish .....
It's a bit of a haul form Aberdeenshire I know, but what's the chance of making it along to Ken's meeting at the end of the month? Len

china crossing
 

Hello Len and all,

Unable to make it for the northern meet. However, have earlier made arrangement for the Merseyside match on 16/dec in Liverpool, so may meet up then with Ken who is from the area.

After checking high and low (contacts in china, chinese agents, even French forum sites recounting bikers turned back at the border this summer, and still checking …) looks like getting into china means getting the paperworks right. For those who don’t like the idea of being turned back at the border, but wish to do china, its possible.

Anyone looking to share costs to do the stans / china / laos ride beg. June 08, inside 4 weeks ?? Looking for 5 easy going bikers (min. number required to trigger an official application) to share costs. The route inside china is flexible, just need to have them mentioned somewhere on paper. Costs I’ve been given works out to be Eur 1250 each (that’s slightly more than entry into Xinjiang, exit kunjerab pass, and then fly bike to Thailand). A small deposit is required to trigger an application, thenafter 3-4 months wait for approval – china style.

Anyone interested, feel free to PM me.

B rgds, Sheen

Liverpool 16 Dec
 

Hi Sheen
Yes thats fine with me we can meet before or after the match just let me know how you intend to arrive bus, train or car and maybe I can pick you up from the station and we can chat then.
Regards
Ken

liverpool 16 dec
 

Hello Ken,

Thanks your offer, am flying in easyjet with a friendly bunch of supporters so much should be sorted out by then. Will call a week or so in advance to arrange your best time for a meet.

By the way how's the new bike ??

B rgds, Sheen

HU meeting in KL??
 

Hey Guys!
This thread is really getting bigger & inviting new riders(hubbers) to join the trip :funmeteryes: Its becoming like an expedition!:thumbup1: Hopefully you all will be able to enter China or at least do as much overland as possible!
(if it doesnt cost a fortune) And maybe once reaching

Malaysia, :welcome: we should have a mini HU meeting in Kuala Lumpur!
Just a suggestion....

:scooter:
Ride Safe

Hello, this is mostly for jimmy, Paulm, Bjorn and the guys who were at the Convent Garden meeting ages ago. Unfortunatly I managed to do my leg in during the Cambrian Rally last month, not broken but a rather briused and battered knee. Also having hassle with selling the flat, (idiotic solicitor) which was going to fund the trip, so rather than cause any problems in the next few months regarding if I can or cant make it, its probably best to bail out now, though hopefully if things improve within the next month or so I'll let you know and pick up where I left.
Anyway have a good'n.
Brian..

Nicked bike
 

Hi Brian ....

Sorry to hear about that .... there is still time for things to come together though. Why not set a date for the latest you could leave, then see how things go early part of next year?

I too have got to sell my house in order to sort out finances before going. But a more serious blow took place last week, that could've jepordised the trip. Talk about the worst things in life coming out of the blue.The Dakar was stolen!!!! From my locked garage too. Not all doon n' gloom though, as a couple of days later it was recovered. And happily showing signs of modest damage only. I've decided to wear the insurance loss, so it's going to the local BMW dealer for a thorough check-over, in the hope it's still in good enough shape for a 25K+ mile jaunt to the land down under!

I'll keep you all posted on the final outcome. Good luck Brian and hope things get sorted out okay matey .... Len

really lenz?
 

Wow,
youre very lucky Lenz! One thing I dont have to worry is "normally" a "large" bike rarely gets stolen here in Malaysia :thumbup1:
unfortunately mopeds are a norm!:nono:


ride save/safe
:scooter:

Glad to hear you got her back Len. Would be nice to get your hands on the :censored: that stole it...

Neil

recovery process
 

Hi there Neil .....

Yeah, am not putting too much energy into cussing the miserable dogs who nicked it. Instead doing what can be done towards getting it back into top notch ready for next years trip again. In that regard it's with the Bristol BMW dealer (Motorrad) awaiting assessment. I'm lucky enough to have other means of transport, so there's no urgency to get it fixed from that perspective.

Besides which need to complete upgrading security in the garage before the Dakar comes back ....

I'll publish an update as things progress. Meanwhile I'm looking forward to meeting those who are going to the Northern meet end of the month, and you next week Neil. On that note, PM or Email me to let me know your travel plans, so we can arrange to meet-up.

Len

my new bike
 

Hi Guy's
Looking forward to meeting you all next week, sorry to hear about your bike len but sure it will be back up to scratch soon and Jimmy hope you were happy with your new luggage. I have put a photo of my new bike for you all to see ( hope you don't mind ) it's the one I intend to do the trip on and was only bought for that reason and I forgot to put the panniers on to show you, that's all for now and don't forget it's 12-30 24 November and see you all there.
Ken:scooter:

new bike
 

Ooh yeah nice n' shiny Ken! Keep the bloody salt off of it, or it'll get eaten alive.

Looks really good mate. Look forward to hearing how it rides .....

Catch up soon ..... Len

Looks like our journeys have diverged slightly, so maybe no Panda support vehicel (haha) after all.

That and the fact we're now wondering about using a couple of these instead.

http://www.oxobike.be/oxobike%203.jpg

Hi Ken,
Been following this thread and the trip sounds great! Looks like I'm being made redundant at Christmas, always planned to do an overland trip down to India in a few years time, but such is fate, so I was wondering if i could attend your meeting at the weekend? Graham

Your most wellcome
 

Hi Graham
Yes of course you are most welcome to come to the meeting in fact come all the way to Thailand if you want to, you can get directions from earlier pages of where we will be and time this coming saterday, I look forward to meeting you then.:scooter:
Regards
Ken

Hi Ken,
really looking foward to meeting you, see you saturday.
thanks
Graham

Hi Guys.

I expressed my interest in this trip earlier and just want to ask a couple more questions. Basicly the job that was holding me back from going on a trip this year has fell through. Im actually glad of it but could have done with finding out sooner.

Anyways my plan was to go to Australia for a couple of years. I was thinking about riding down but i have run into a snag with this idea. Basicly i can only get the bike into Australia for under a year when i plan to stay for 2. Do any of you guys know a way around this? Or would it be possible to leave the bike in another country or something on the way? I suppose there is always the option of shipping it back.

You guys are leaving Spring? Is this correct? I doubt i can be prepared for then though. Ive still got to sell the flat. I wanted to do this in summer to get more money. Only once i sell the flat will i be-able to sort myself out with a more suitable bike. Bummer but ill be keeping a tab on this thread anyway so to keep up to date with your plans. Maybe something will work out where i can do this trip. Im also looking at other ideas just now like buying a bike in the states and travelling over there for a few months before selling then heading to Australia.

Anyway speak soon
IsleOf

Leaving the Bike
 

Hi Isle of , I am pretty sure the bike can be left in Cambodia with no import duties or taxes to pay.Every time I have taken a bike into Cambodia I have not been given any paperwork or had any details added to my Visa or Passport,Thailand may be a possibility also....a little more omplicated and not for a public forum. If you can make Saturdays meeting you are more than welome..see you all Saturday...Len I tried calling your mobile yesterday and today ...I left a message..see you 9.30 ishhh Saturday, call me for directions ..

Jimmy

That sounds good.:thumbup1: How would that work though. I mean would i use a storage company in whatever county i leave it in? Are there companies that do this?

I cant make the meeting on Saturday as im working. If i decide to go ahead with this then ill definetely try to get to one of your meets :)

Leaving a Bike in Cambodia
 

Hi I left a Honda XR250 at the Indo China Garage in P.P. for 8 months, it cost $8 per month. I know a few people that would point you in the rioght direction for safe storage...There are other options...bike storage wouldn't be a problem. Sorry you can't make it, hope things go well and hope to see you soon.

Jimmy

Saturday's meeting
 

Hi Jimmy ....

Yeah, I've been very busy at work then pretty whacked in the evening. Hoping for things to be steadier and finishing early today. So with luck will get through to you and ava'cahat about arrangements for travelling up to Merseyside.

If for reason I can't get through today, will be calling 8 onwards so you can talk us in to the rendez-vous point.

Peter. If you read this can you give me a call to confirm you're coming across, ready to leave Bristol by 8.am

Sheen. Got your paperwork on China okay and printed off a hard copy to take with me for discussion at the meeting. I'll let you have some feedback afterwards.

See you all Saturday or speak soon. Len

storing
 

if you guys in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur:welcome:
you guys are always welcome to store it at my place!
F.O.C:thumbup1:


Ride Safe/Save
:scooter:

Thats very kind of you. Thanks.:thumbup1:

So storage isnt going to be an issue. Should be easy enough to find somewhere in Cambodia or Malaysia or there-abouts. So trip is still do-able.:scooter:

Ive got to look into a few more things, but as i said ill be keeping a close eye on this thread:thumbup1:

dont mention it mate!

Cheers for the spreadsheet Lenz. Lots of info there :)

Will probably wait until im on nightshift this week to have a good look. That charity blog looks a good read as well (Nothing like skiving at work lol)

meeting
 

No worries Aaron ..... If you want me to add any further info' to your name, fire it back and will update the spreadsheet again.

To the other thread watchers .... Saturday's Merseyside meeting was a good 'un. It was nice to meet up and put faces to names. Thanks to you Ken for making arrangements, and the The Thaiwayman for the venue (and some hot & spicy tucker). Hopefully in a couple of months time we'll get chance to have another sesh. By which time plans should have firmed up a bit more for some of us.
Stay in touch and up to date with travel plans. Len

November meeting
 

What can I say but have just told the wife to put the alarm on for 4am tomorrow as I want to go NOW and can't wait till next April so come on Jimmy forget New Zealand and let's get going ???.
realy enjoyed the meeting and learnt a lot so thanks to everyone for coming and looking forward to the next one before the off, Len do you have the contacts I asked you about.
Thanks again
Ken:clap:

Great to meet you guys. There was talk of ro ro ferries... can you post some more details about them please. I think you're all a lot more prepped and clued up that I am, and frankly it's a little concerning! Gotta get some paperwork underway soon!

Hi everyone, I am planning on riding to Oz in Spring next year.My route will provisionally be Europe, Turkey,Iran,India, possibly Sri Lanka,Nepal,Thailand,Cambodia,Laos,Malaysia,Indone sia, then down to Darwin and anti clockwise round OZ.I have no time limit, and the only thing holding me up is the sale of my house.Its on the market, so fingers crossed someone will take it off my hands.I am riding a Norman Hyde Triumph Bonneville GT, which is currently on show at the motorbike show at the NEC.I;ll be picking it up early December, and will set about equiping it with everything I need,ie Metal MUles,Garmin Zumo,etc.I will hopefully be leaving here spring next year, preferably when the snow has melted in Europe.I'll keep i touch with this thread to see if anyone else is ready to go around the same time ame, and is doing a similar route.

International Ro Ro Ferries
 

Nice meeting you all ...nice to see Bjorn, Len and Ken again I am away for a while and will start planning in the new year re route, visas and bike prep. I did mention I have used Wallenius Wilhelmsen to ship my bike, I am sure there are other Ro Ro car shipping lines.For those who are intetrested Wallenius routes can be found here

EUKOR Car Carriers - RORO, PCC, PCTC Services

Hope this is of use to some here, South Korea and Singapore are on their routes as are Africa South and North America and Australia.


Regards Jimmy

Have a safe trip Jimmy and catch up when you're back ....

Welcome to thread andypettitt62. If you're over in London region I'm sure we could arrange a meeting sometime in the not too distant future. Meanwhile if you want to know any specifics, don't be afraid to ask. I've created a spreadsheet with basic travel plans and contact details for a number of the more active guys on this thread. If you want to recieve a copy let me know on another post, and will PM you with my Email address so you can contact me direct.

Ken .... am working on the info' you requested. I'll give it another shot tomorrow and see if there's anything on our work's intranet. Will mail you direct as soon as I've got anything useful ......

Update on my nicked/recovered with damage Dakar. Just had the go ahead from the insurers to do the work (I thought it would be around a grand, but it's £2300 worth!!!!).

Len

meeting up north
 

Hi Guy,
It was great to me you all and hear all your thoughts, I'm still waiting on the work situation at the moment. thanks Len for the spread sheet!
Len; Hope the rebuild goes well!!!
Graham

Thanks for the welcome.I'll take you up on the offer of a spreadsheet.I can't send you PM till I have submitted 8 threads, and this is the eighth.Off to the motorbike show tomorrow with a brand new credit card and a long shopping list.

very quiet
 

Hi All
What's happened it's gone very quiet on this page you all must have already gone, so come on whats been happening I for one have been getting things ready for the trip by buying spare parts and a tent which I don't expect to use but it's for the JUST IN CASE moment also got pump with attached torch for 4.99 from B M stores and finally put a center stand on without any cut knuckles. Len any news on your sale yet ? and Graham what happened with your job ?.

Merry Xmass to you all

Ken:scooter:

Gone quiet....
 

Hey Ken,
Agree with all earlier comments - great to meet up with you all (You, Jimmy,Len, Luke, Graham, Bjorn and Nick) - like minded people all in some stage of ready for the off!! Some old hands at the game and some newbies, like me. I am just about ready for the trip with Mick from Oz, departing on 6th May next year. Our route has changed (Micks on a fairly tight schedule but I'm more flexible) but not yet finalised - going down as far as Romania and now across Ukraine into Kazakhstan. We'll see how we're doing for time at Almaty. I guess that we'll make decisions there whether to go north to Mongolia; or north and back across Russia missing out Mongolia or south to do the Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and home (could even throw in Tadjakistan and Kyrgyzstan.) We may of course split up depending on how we do for time.
I've only got bits to get now and the visas of course. I'll get them in January.
We'll all have to keep in touch with progress and maybe meet up again after our respective trips to compare notes!!
Hope that you all have a great Christmas and New Year.
All the Best
Paul

Hi Guys,
I'm still waiting for the Gods at work to decide my short term future, as soon as i get there decision i'll post! Good luck Ken, Jimmy and Paul with the rest of your planning.
Graham

quiet times ....
 

M'gosh .... things have gone quiet on the thread for a while. So thought I'd post some good news (for me at any rate). I've got the Dak' back. Yup, the travel bike's back with me. Tucked up nice n' safe in the garage again. After being nicked, damaged and fixed up under insurance (£2300 worth!), and is as good as new once more. This time it's got plenty of extra security, so if anyone else tries to purloin it, they've got their work cut-out.

I've had a reply from Charles of 'Planitearth' fame. For those of you who've been watching his travels (www.planitearth.co.uk - UK to Australia 2007 - Home Page) he's back in the country for a couple weeks in the new year. Me n' Bjorn have considered asking if he'd agree to attend a HUBB meet, as it'd be really helpful to pick his brains on some of the route. If so, will put out a posting to this effect.

Catch y'all later. Lenzzzzzzzzzz

Hi Lenzzzz, you could count me and an Aussie buddy of mine in on attending such an event.... as we are looking at the same route etc in two years time....

PS Good to hear you've got your bike sorted......

Welcome
 

Hi there Crazylegs ...
Welcome to Jimmy's thread matey. Yeah, I'll be speaking with Bjorn again soon, and expect we'll talk about the possibility of arranging another meeting early in the new year. Watch this space ... Len

Ps. To Bjorn .... The Adventure Rider' you lent me is on it's way back. Let me know which other LP's you fancy, and will post it/em on for you to ava'squizz at (can pick em up in the new year).

Hi,
I've now been given redundancy, leaving date end of Feb!http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ilies/clap.gif So now i need to plan. Len hows the house sale going? Good to see your bike is completed!
Bjorn, I'd like to here more about your plans and research, maybe you could E-mail me.
Cheers
Graham

"Congratulations" or "sorry to hear???"
 

Hey Graham,
Read your post - I guess that it draws a line under things. You'll be getting demob happy like me - three months to do.
Have a great trip mate.
Paul

PS Our plans still aren't finalised - may go along The Pamir Highway throuh Tajikistan before heading back to UK.

April Departure
 

Hi Guy's
Please if any one is seriusly thinking of traveling to Thailand could you please let me know as Sheen must inform the agent in China the details of each person and bike, the cost of transit should be about 600 pounds sterling each which is a lot less than going southern route and paying a carnet plus air fare to Bangkok from India plus we will have a support vehicle in the event of breakdown .
We need at least 5 riders for this price but if we have more then the price comes down, it will take 3/4 months for the paper work to be complete and we must pay a 10% deposit and the balance when we arrive in china, so if you are not sure then all you will lose is your deposit which must be paid by 15 January to Sheen using paypal.
As of now we only have 3 rider's who are Sheen, Ken, and Jimmy so come on and get involved it should be a great trip and you can choose which route you want to go ether Turkey, Iran, stans or Ukrain , Russia and Kazakstan we can then all meet on Chinese border to cross 1 June 2008.
so if you need any more info please email via the Hub and let's get organised.

Regards and a Merry Xmas to you all
Ken:scooter: