Ireland to Siberia
 

I am a 50 plus woman who has only been riding for 18 months. Im off in a month to ride from Ireland to Magadan (east coast of Siberia). I dont have alot of mechanical knowledge (but have a good Haynes guide) and yesterday managed to change the fuel pump on my bike by myself?
But i am having pre trip jitters and would like to hear from other women that have done a similar trip. My itinerary is : Europe- Turkey- Georgia- Armenia- Iran - Turkemenistan (if i can get the bloody visa)- Uzbek- Tajikistan- Kyrgistan- Kazakstan- Russia- Mongolia- Siberia.
Scared shitless, to be honest!!

Hi Pat
Don't feel jittery because it is a very doable route you plan to take. I was in my mid-fifties when I did it but coming from Japan. Read my book Keep Moving: Tokyo to Cape Town by Motorbike by Monica Joseph. The Stans are fantastic.:D

Thanks heaps for your reply Monica. Reassuring.
Yes I have spent alot of time in Central Asia as a mountaineer and really looking forward to getting back there is a different capacity.

There are a couple of people you might like to get in touch with, both have made similar journeys as single females. One is Fern Hume who I think is a member here:

https://tribune.com.pk/story/446871/...otorbike-miss/

The other is Kinga Tanajewska who has done a very good blog on her journey.

www.onherbike.com

With apologies to other ladies who have travelled the world!

Hi again
Im wondering how you find the two areas that are worrying me.
1) Mongolia - what route did you take? I would like to do the northern route but am a bit concerned about the river crossings and the sand. What route did you take?
2) The Kolma Highway- I have heard that it gets difficult when it has been raining. How did you find it? Did you do the Road of Bones? I am keen for this if i can find a riding partner.
I look forward to your response- very reassuring that you have done this route!!

Mongolia
 

Mongolia is one of my favorite countries. We took the central road and it was a stunning route. There are river crossings but probably less traffic and sand than the Gobi route.There are three ways and the northern way we decided against but it would have been alright. The roads are more like tracks...plenty of potholes and corrugations but I did aim to ride about 200+ kms every day and it took about 8 days to cross the country.

Just reading your post now and you're well on your way, so wishing you the best of luck, and I'm sure it will be fantastic.

Brian