Huh. Been there four times altogether and never had any serious problems--the border took 2 hours max with a bike, not four, and the one bribe solicitation was halfhearted and only lasted 20 minutes. It's not like I'm highly experienced in the Ukraine, but it's not all bleak.

I'll agree the riding is of limited interest--mostly flat, straight, and kind've boring. I liked the mountains in the west, enjoyed the big cities, and never made it down to the sea. And yes, the northern tier of Romania was definitely more my style.

I've been to Ukraine several times and don't think that it is horrible, it's just that the roads and cops are worse than in Russia.

I don't think it's ever taken me more than 2 hours to cross the border, usually less. Once I got hung up for about 30 minutes because I mistakenly gave the border guy the copy of my title rather than the real title (which I usually do with cops), and he spent half hour looking for the watermark (which wasn't there). I did the same thing once leaving Latvia, it took even longer there before they asked me about it and I gave them the real doc. Hopefully I won't screw that up again!

I agree with Paneuropean that I would definitely not ride along the highways there at night.

I've given up planning trips. Waste of time at the moment in my opinion, seeing as there is no sign of things improving globally. Russia currently has a record death rate from covid.

If things open up again for travel and are the same logistically as before, entering Russia with a vehicle is very easy. The only complication is if the vehicle is not in your name - they might (though they don't always) ask for a power of attorney. Easy to get in your home country.

Visas depend on nationality, but for me with an EU passport even a 1 year multi entry visa was pretty cheap and easy.

If you don't speak Russian, the country can be a bit daunting and it makes for a bit of a steep learning curve alongside adjusting to the (former) Soviet world, but that's all part of the fun. Russians are generally down-to-earth, very helpful and honest.

There are few countries in my opinion that can compare to Russia in terms of long drives, wilderness experiences and great scenery; Ukraine is very different. You can still have fun in Ukraine though - Kiev, Lviv and Odessa are all definitely worth visiting, and the Carpathians are great for hiking.

Turkey is fascinating, don't be mislead by tourist brochures into thinking it's just another tame Mediterranean destination - there is huge depth to the country. I've never taken the Georgia - Ukraine ferry, but have taken the Chornomorsk (Ukraine) to Haydarpasha (Istanbul) route. Arriving by ferry in Istanbul on a warm spring morning after months of deep winter in Russia and Ukraine is something I will never forget.

One day I will start planning a winter Mongolia trip via Russia!

EO

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.

From what I understand you cannot cross russian borders on any vehicle, only airplanes and trains. This is confirmed by inmates btw