Moscow2 It's got bigger

[markrich]

Foot's much better and I have just bought some BMW Transition boots from a dealer in Germany (80 GBP cheaper then in the UK) to protect them going forward.

Just remembered something important when you enter Russia.

If you have your visa already you must have had an invitation to get this. The process must be completed within 3 days of your arrival in Russia by registering your arrival with the local OVIR or the hotel/agency which issued the invitation. This is very important and will usually take only a day or two. And yes, they do charge you again for this. In the meantime you'll be without your passport to show the Militia (Police) if they ask for it so ask for a photocopy of the important bits with the hotel/OVIR/agency information on it to show they are processing it.

The only time you need not fo this is for stays less than 3 days. I would ensure you have your passport back before you head off to Petersburg as you'll need it to buy the ticket. They seem to require their Internal Passports (ID card in a passport book shape) to buy anything including mobile phones.

The 650GS is a wonderful bike and will do until I can afford the 1200GS I dream of. Work first then bike afterwards.

Marky

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Marky, hope you find something on the job front soon. Maybe when you start earning a bit, the trip will start to become a reality. If you do consider it in the future, ( even next year ) post a thread here in plenty of time, and if it's at all possible, I would consider throwing my name in a hat. Sure, if you are that good, you wouldnt even need to work, just get the tossers to pay you as a russian motorcycle guide!

 

[markrich]

Ha! That would be good. If someone is willing to do that, let's go after my OU exam on the 22nd..LOL!

 

[Ted]

Marky is that the 22nd May? Will still be in Moscow till the 3/4 June so if you fancy meeting on route let me know

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I have just had an internal job move myself... training finishes next friday, after 6 weeks. Very intense. I have booked a week or so off 3rd till 11th June. Promised my best mate (who doesnt on a bike) I would do the North of scotland with him, (after borrowing 2nd best mate's 1150GS for him).

Saw the West Kerry meet posted on this site, and thinking it would be different, as it involves off road stuff, which would be new to me.

My Doctor friend phoned today and invites me to Switzerland, Lake Garda and Austria on the 26th, for a reunion with some other bike mates.

Wife has got Egyptian Flu (gonna be a mummy), so she hits the roof when 4 days in Scotland or Ireland MIGHT become 9 days on the Continent.

The only trip I really want, is to do Russia....................... see my dilema?

Marky, start thinking long term. Next Spring. I reckon if you planned it right, you could get 5 or so tossers to start saving now, and if you werent greedy, they should be able to cover the costs of an 'expert'. I for one would be happy to pay a couple of hundred quid extra to get someone else to do the planning and talking.

 

[Ted]

I really want, is to do Russia....................... see my dilema?
Marky, start thinking long term. Next Spring. I reckon if you planned it right, you could get 5 or so tossers to start saving now, and if you werent greedy, they should be able to cover the costs of an 'expert'. I for one would be happy to pay a couple of hundred quid extra to get someone else to do the planning and talking.

Sell you my route for a small fee Marky Will even have the hotels etc done for you.


If you are going next year for say a 2/3 week trip may go for that, assuming I get back from this one ok.
Will be off myself to Austria and Switzerland in July about the 10 to 15th I think. Going to be like a UKGser reunion in Europe this summer. Must practice the gs wave . That could be tricky Left hand

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Enjoy your summer, Ted.
I am on a big guilt trip, looking at the pregnant wife and all! Cant really justify a big trip this year.
Had a 4 day Highlands trip at end of March, away again in 4 weeks on another 4 day, so would be just about able to squeeze another wee one in August.
Wish I had kept it in my trousers...........................

 

[markrich]

It would be good. I don't think much planning is needed for a quick two week trip to the Baltics. Just insurance and luggage and stop at B&B's and Pensions along the way.... so who knows what could happen next month or two. I am very keen to return to Lithuania. Kaunas and Vilnius call me and the calling is becoming persistant.

Would like to save for a sparkly new red 1200GS or even a R1200ST (I know, blasphemy, but it's still a beemer) soon. The 1200GS is my prefered bike but I'm only 170cm high so even with the low seat I was nervous about putting it down on the side stand after trying it out in the showroom in Bristol.

Marky

 

[Betty Swollocks]

My brother in law is a baker and employs a few Lithuanians, He has been invited over to their one of their homes this summer and has accepted. (Flying).
I suggested doing it on the bikes and tagging along. He looked at a map and thought it a bit much, we also worried about the crime/safety issues.
Must show him this thread.......... I reckon he is up for it when you arrange the trip Marky. PS I am 177cm and do the tippy toes every time I get on my 1150ADV.

 

[markrich]

If you use map24.co.uk you can geta feel for how long it will take. Tap in average speed and whether to use motorways or not. Bristol to St. Petersburg, in Russia, is a trip I have done by car a couple of times. It takes about three days with sightseeing.

Marky

 

[markrich]

Today's the day?

I guess you're all excited to be finally off today?

Hope you enjoy your ride!

Good luck and be careful!

Let's see the photos!!!!

Marky

 

[Ted]

Yep Just going last look and post. Feel drained was up till 3am packing and unpacking, checking bike etc. I'm sure once under way I will get my confidence up. Thanks for all who have donated so far. I will Try to post picture and stuff along the way.

 

[Rushy]

All the best

Good luck Ted

Youll have a great time. Anything you've forgottten can be bought and the things that go wrong will always get sorted AND will probably be the most exiting memorable bits of the trip.

Have a ball, wish I was going with you

 

[Ted]

5 down 10 to go

Well on my way now.France, Belgum, Holland,Germany and now Poland total 1287miles so far.
Managed to time my arrival in Warsaw to perfection, rushhour
Had to do a bit of dodgy filtering as the bike was getting very hot,just below the red section. Still made a change from getting cold and wet for the last three days. The weather has really picked up today and Polands roads and drivers certainly keep you awake it seems double white lines are there to keep the car in line with the center of the road when overtaking between two lines of trucks..
If ever there was a country that was just for the GS this is it. Deep lines in the road and truck wheel tracks you need a low gear to get up.
Still all good fun and the new toll road (thanks for the info Marky)is great,as good as any where in the world just when you come to the end its back to the 1950s.
Germany was fun, spent to much time on the auto routes but needed to cover ground. Like to watch the sunday drivers racing there McLaren mercs and Very quick Audies up the roads. I was sat at 80/90 and they passed me like I was stopped. I hope these pictures come out ok. Nothing special yet Have to wait till I get to russia. Sorry no pictures just yet Need to re size them all will try later. Off for beer and food.

 

[markrich]

Ha! Told you Polish drivers were scary didn't I!

Warsaw is a great city. It's a shame it was so totally destroyed 60 years ago but the way they have rebuilt the old city as a replica of that which it was is very impressive. It's a nice relaxing place for a capital. Spent many a day there

Guess Lithuania and Latvia is up next! Good luck!

btw..When you get to Riga in Latvia, head for the big Lido Resturant. It's a huge wooden building with it's own windmill for brewing their own beer. Incredibly cheap and all your can pile upon a plate usually.

Checked BBC Weather site. Seems rain is the order of the day for Vilnius and Riga over the next week as well. I think you should have gone by ark and picked up the animals on the way....

I'll add some money to your cause at the end of the month. Still trying to find work but all options are available including going it alone. Anyone want some IT work done? ;-)

 

[Ted]

In Villnius now the weather has been very good for the last couple of days. Was very glad to get out of Poland and into Lithuania. Boader crossing was great all they wanted to know was a quick look at the passport and (a) was my bike expensive (b) did the gps work ok with the limited Garmin mapping ! (C) Give it some so they could hear the engine! So duly gave the old remus a good blow through and took the roof off the customs post much to the soldiers cheers
Villnius is great and wish I could spend more time here but the road is calling Latvia in the morning and Riga. Will try to find the place you mentioned but as its Russia the next bay may just get an early night. Looks a bit like when the Apollo crews flew around the back of the moon, may be a while befor I can make contact again and I am just as nervous. Will try to post pictures but still having trouble resizing to get them on the site. Computor numpty me.
Hope there will be a few donations on the site when I check later. Managed to get a donation from local today. He is a BM rider and spotted the site so hope some more "local" donations start to appear Hint Hint
Now its time for food and may be a
By for now.

 

[markrich]

You won't be able to miss the Lido restaurant in Riga. Just ask anyone and they'll point you to it. It's on the river side, about 15min walk from the centre or get a taxi, but be careful with the costs of those!! Worth visiting!

You'll make good time in the Baltic states. The roads are generally better and you'll be in Riga in very little time from Vilnius. Hope you found the other bikers in the Old Town centre and Uzipio! Ah. The memories are already coming back....

Anyway, don't forget not to speed in Latvia. They are strict. And have fun in Riga! It's a great place!

Marky

 

[Ted]

Hi Marky

Took me 6 hour from Villnius The road is mostly rubble with intermittant streaches of tarmac at the moment, some are as long as 1 km. It is a bit tricky as it was wet today one minute then sunny and bitter cold. Should be good once finished but at the moment a bit of a trail with some serious drops to the new road level. The lat/lith border was no probs just a look at the passport and wave through. The EU I think. Bike took a bit of a bashing today with the potholes and junk in the roads got showered with lumps of hard core from a passing lorry at one point felt it hit through the knee armour so lucky. Russia in the morning, well lunch timeish. so will try to post some pictures once in Moscow and I have some free time. Done just short of 2000 now and just about getting into the swing of it, avarage was about 350/360 a day but dropped today. Have planned to take it slower and les miles perday once in Russia but have a couple of big days to get to Moscow Saturdays if just short of 400 as I am on the south east of the city so will let you know

Ted. ,

 

[markrich]

I took a new road when I travelled from Vilnius to Riga last. Took 3.5 - 4 hours by car. There was a point in the middle which seemed a bit rough but odd that you should have taken such a poor road. Sorry to learn you found the bad road dude.

The Lithuanian / Latvian border is a doddle. The EU passport helps very much so. No problem with the bike insurance then so far?

Russia next then? Get ready for the fun then

Remember to have a Baltika beer No. 8 for me when you get there!

Marky

 

[spot]

Hi ted so far so good. I think your adventure might be about to really start now that you have turned east into russia. as you know im following your footsteps thusfar in a few weeks. do you have anywhere/roads specifically to avoid?Just as a reminder to anyone joining this thread late The link to your charity site can be found in the first post on this thread. Hope you dont mind me mentioning this again, MSF are a cracking good cause to raise money for. Best of luck in Russia and further south ted. Spot.