Originally Posted by stephen.stallebrass (Post 390801)

In case anyone else stumbles across this old thread, here is my most recent experience.

Baikal Complex (linked above) were zero help.

I put my bike on the russian post train from Irkutsk to Moscow today. Had loads of help from Alexei, aka Monster. He won't mind me passing his details on.

I'm taking the TranSiberian train in a couple of days. Always planned to do this, just don't fancy the boring ride west over the same highway. Heard lots of good things from other travelers about the train journey.

Plus, I wiped out the other day on some wet tram tracks, so I fancy a few days resting up.

Anyway here's his details:

+7 950 0844465
mrmonster[at]mail[dot]ru

Sorry, but it seems that Alexei can no longer be reached on these contact details, and as we didn't stay in touch, I have no other way of contacting him.

He's a biker and a top bloke! He's helped peeps in the past and he apparently knows RTWDoug from his time here a few years ago.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1458.jpg

Had to do it officially, I don't think its possible to do it unofficially anymore, at least not here, maybe at another smaller station. I tried to do it Doug style...

It cost me 200 roubles for every 10kg, not inc crate building and loading/unloading by the dock guys, which was 3000 roubles. I paid 9400 roubles all in (£180).

Unloaded bike (F8GS) was 233kg (inc 1/2 tank fuel), luggage (inc TT Zega boxes) was 43kg. Got charged for 300kg (that included the crate).

Your supposed to drain the fuel but the dock guys said don't bother, as long as you keep it schtum, they know your f@$ked at the other end if you do.

Will probably need to pay the dock guys in Moscow to unload and dispose of crate.

Hope this helps someone. It's not an adventure if you don't have to crate the bike at least once, LOL.

Steve
bier

Originally Posted by stephen.stallebrass (Post 401978)

As I've had a couple of follow-up questions, thought I might share the info here.

If you want some assistance sorting out yourbike shipping and ticket purchase just send Alexei an email, he's a lovely guy, I'm sure he'll help you out. His details are here.

Sorry, but it seems that Alexei can no longer be reached on these contact details, and as we didn't stay in touch, I have no other way of contacting him.

It took a couple of days after I arrived in Moscow for the post train to arrive. Finding the place to collect it was a nightmare: I didn't speak Russian, they didn't speak English and the women have no interest in helping you they just want to get rid of you. I stayed at at the Chillax Hostel, not far from the station, you could easily walk it or get the Metro, which is only a couple of stops.

I eventually found it though, its a bit out of the way: about a mile from the main Yaroslavsky station. The GPS co-ordinates of the cargo depot are 55.782652, 37.655773 the depot entrance is at the end of 'Krasnosel'skiy tupik' here is the google map link. There's a couple of great guys there that will help you. Here's a street view of the place:

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...Russia/1-3.jpg