London to Siberia or RTW 2011...

Racey

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Guys & Gals

Last year I organised and rode solo through the USA. 12,107 miles from Anchorage in Alaska to New York. My write up can be found here: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220233

I thought this big trip would "get things out of my system". But far from it !! It left me wanting more !!

And confirmed my desire to complete a lap of our planet.

I have done a great deal of preparation, reading and thinking about this, and I am planning on setting off next April (25th April 2011).

I've planned the ride with the belief that if a small, tight knit bunch of like minded fools could be assembled - we have greater control over our own destinies than being part of an organised group ?

We also wouldn't have the element of "profit margin" or mechanic's and support truck costs to cover...

I'm refining my options, and have already established contact and met with 2 like minded American's who are considering coming along - but in essence I'd be fascinated to see if anyone else has any interest...

While I'm tempted to say the ideal travelling companions should be attractive females fully qualified in motorcycle mechanics, massage and fine dining preparation on a camping stove I don't think my Misses would let me go !!

So for now I'm saying we'd need a thirst for adventure, a good sense of humour, resilience and determination

Am I the only fool out there like this ??

The following is only a guide, but let me brain dump:

- I'm leaving UK April 2011.

- The trip could be a London to Vladivostok trip which would look like:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/-jnVWiPNZCN-j9HdE1haUDc_6XRPO0cebQZ1mZkjDho?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tyu_mgErIOA/S5DbqgFKpOI/AAAAAAAADk8/A0uxRdO3QWM/s800/ScreenShot077.jpg" /></a>

- London to Vlad would take somewhere between 3 and 4 months depending on how much sight seeing is done along the route...

- Or it could be made into a RTW ride with bikes being shipped from Asia (via South Korea across to Vancouver). This would add another 2 months to the trip...

- I have planned the route carefully to avoid the need for a Carnet De Passage for the bike which can be a significant expense.

- UK to Russia would be achieved by riding through Czech Republic, Poland and The Ukraine.

- From there the route would meander, taking in some of the other amazing countries in the "Stans".

- The indirect route could embrace Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as well as Mongolia. I've done a great deal of reading and studying maps and feel this could be fascinating.

- I have researched this thoroughly and have spoken at length to Walter Colebatch and Tony Pettie and will be gathering further insight from Timolgra and Petcul shortly...

- I am also watching Oisin's progress carefully as I want my Roll Bag and maps back after having to lend them to him when he stayed with us on the way to the Channel Tunnel !!

- I have numerous "contacts" along the way who could "assist" in some way and I have looked into places to get work done on the bikes and where tyres could be swapped...

- In Vladivostok we would take the ferry from Zarubino to South Korea - Socho to fly, or ship the bikes across the Pacific.

- This decision would be a cost vs timing issue. Cost of sea freight may be cheaper - but obviously longer. And what we saved could well be spent blowing off steam in Canada waiting for the bikes to arrive !!

- Going to South Korea avoids the need for a carnet I believe. If we went to Japan with the bikes we'd definitely need one.

- Thereafter it would be a pleasant tarmac ride East to Toronto or New York. Where again, shipping / flying options for the bikes exist.

Costs are difficult to estimate at the moment as it would depend on whether the bikes were shipped or flown, whether we camped all the way or stayed in a mixture of hostels or hotels etc.

- I've read about people managing to do the trip on a budget as low as £30 a day !! But I think that was really going some !!

- Organised trips with support trucks and profit margins tend to charge circa £18,000 including bike shipping and accommodation, but excluding personal flights. I'd hope, if we did this ourselves that we could bring this figure down dramatically.

I'm currently costing options and will have more accurate figures in due course. But I believe the London to Vlad option, including shipping your bike and yourself back would give you change from £8,000 to £9,000...

The complete RTW would have the additional cost of the Trans USA ride and shipping / flying from East Coast - so add another £3,000.

As I say these are estimates at present and are being worked on. But this trip would be far cheaper than anything GlobeRiders, Globe Busters or Kudu organise...

But back to my original question - am I alone in having this daft dream ??

Let me know on here or via PM

I'll happily give phone numbers or email thereafter and we can let our imaginations run riot...

And work out if we'd all get on for such a trip...

Simon
 
Sounds great, I'll keep an eye on this.

What bike are you riding and what would you expect the other riders to use??

I'm not a subscriber yet...........
 
I'm on a 2008 1200 GSA.

I really don't mind what people ride. It would make more sense, logistics, tools and spares wise, if we were on similar bikes but it wouldn't be an issue as long as everyone had the bits and ability to fix their steeds...
 
DREAMS ARE NOT DAFT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey:thumb
Live the dream dude:clap
Interested very very interested...................:bounce1
:rob
 
Hey:thumb
Live the dream dude:clap
Interested very very interested...................:bounce1
:rob

If you want, I'll happily share more insight... Either at Llangollen or before...

I'll have to get a name badge made otherwise you'll not know which "tosser" is me !!

PM me if you want to speak beforehand...
 
RTW

Yes.. I had the same route planned, more or less, to Magadan for next year, with a close friend for the same time, but his passing away early this year put the kaibosh on that.

I am interested.
Si
 
Yes.. I had the same route planned, more or less, to Magadan for next year, with a close friend for the same time, but his passing away early this year put the kaibosh on that.

I am interested.
Si

I am sorry to hear why your ride plans have changed... Makes one realise why "one should seize the moment"...

I'd be happy to chatter if you want to discuss further... PM me and we can natter...

Simon
 
Hi,

Not sure yet what my plans will be for next year but very interested, subject to the usual approvals. Done the Kudu version and loved it. Would like to do it again but with more flexibility and obviously a different route in places.
 
I would absolutely love to go but know that I won't be able to for various reasons not least my trying to get married next year!!! I very much look forward to hearing and seeing about the trip in much detail. Including the planning!!

Andy

Btw, loved the write up/pictorial of your other trip.
 
Ok, can't PM put if you can send me your email or tel no. via PM or something would like to have a chat and explore some possibilities. Got outline approval from the other half to at least investigate the options.
 
Ok, can't PM put if you can send me your email or tel no. via PM or something would like to have a chat and explore some possibilities. Got outline approval from the other half to at least investigate the options.

If you can't pm me... I can't pm you !!

I could if you paid your subs !!
 
Si, did you get my last PM I sent you the other day ??

I think you've been of gallivanting the last 4-5 days :D

After reading your trip across the states im more convinced than ever, that this is a trip of a lifetime not to be missed.
 


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