Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Oct 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Astana, Kazakhstan ... any contacts?

even the guys in Almaty dont seem to know any bikers or bike clubs , or bike mechanics in Astana.

Anyone out there know anything or have any contacts in Astana? I could use a bike literate mechanic.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 334
When I was in Tashkent I went to the bar in front of the Tata Hotel, I think you know the place (I guess you wrote the info in the Hubb). I met some bikers and they showed me some pics of one motorcylcle event they had. They were bikers from Astana, so the uzbeck bikers should know them. I have the phone number of Michel, the president of the Steel Scorpions, a Uzbeck club of bikers. He speaks a little bit of English. If you phone, tell him the Spanish biker gave it to you.

+998974404440
__________________
www.miquelsilvestre.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Oct 2009
doosey's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: north yorks
Posts: 47
im flying into Atyrau for work on tuesday if you need any parts bringing out or if i can help let me know, my wife is kazak so if you are really stuck and need someone to translate drop me a pm and i will give you our number.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Oct 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wells, Somerset
Posts: 233
Bike Casta is the club..

These are the folks to get hold of. The president, or one of them, Dima, speaks excellent English, and knows the people you need for bike work.

They helped me out beyond belief when I was there. My own apartment, bike storage, tools etc.

Very kind guys.

I've looked for contact details, but not had much joy. I'll carry on looking.

thanks for your help in the past Colebatch, if there's anything else I can do for you pls ask
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Oct 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Cheers ... I found the Bike Casta guys ... and am being looked after. No spares needed, just had a bad gasket repair done and lost most of my engine oil over my right leg. Any half decent mechanic should be able to make a new gasket. Just felt like finding some bikers this time, rather than the truck mechanic who made my last dodgy gasket. Also having lost engine oil, prefer guys who know where I can find replacement synthetic motorcycle oil.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Oct 2009
doosey's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: north yorks
Posts: 47
as i said i will be working over there for the next 3 to 4 weeks if you are passing back through atyrau drop me a line i would love to hear about your experiences in kz as im riding over next year
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Oct 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
well I wont be getting over that way any more this year. I am snowed in in Astana ... trying to work out the best way to get myself and bike home.

Might try and hitch a ride on a car transporter. They go empty to Germany all the time, buy second hand cars, and then load up the transporter for the return trip to Kazakhstan.

Gabe: yes apparently Dima is the president of the club. I havent met him yet, but have met a bunch of the others.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Oct 2009
doosey's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: north yorks
Posts: 47
thanks for reminding me of the snow let me know how you get on, we have equipment going back to europe from all over kz,
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Nottingham UK
Posts: 227
Sorry to hear about your troubles dude,

After we parted company in UB it turned really cold for us, below zero at nights and in sibir no more than 5 during the days, was the same after we left Moscow as well. Felt a bit sorry for you since you'd only decided to ride home because it looked like the weather was going to go warm for a bit!

Hope you sort something out for getting back okay, best of luck to you.
__________________
UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Oct 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Thanks mate ... I think I am out of luck, out of warmth, and out of time. Cant find a way to get me and the bike back to the UK in time ... cause I have to spend pretty much the last 2 months of the year in Russia.

So think I will leave the bike in KZ or Russia for the winter and if there are no other options, return to get it in the spring.

It was -18 last night!

Are you back in the UK now?

Doosey, if you have something coming back from Astana, I will leave a copy of my papers with the bike so it should be able to be transported.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Nottingham UK
Posts: 227
Yep, rode back through Scandanavia. There's a ferry between Denmark and England, so along with the Turku/Stockholm boat it works out the shortest distance home. It was cold and wet all the way. Am a bit depressed about leaving Eva behind.

Had one really hard day in Russia. Had a crash which left Eva limping for the following week, then the drive chain came off the back sprocket (I new it far too loose but in the cold couldn't find the motivation to adjust it), then after putting my tools away noticed the back tyre was now flat. Was a chance puncture from a fatigued thin poor quality tube, could have happened anywhere or anytime but of course happened right when I needed it the least against all probability.

Keep in touch.
__________________
UK to Mongolia 2009, on a DR350
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 27 Oct 2009
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nath View Post
Am a bit depressed about leaving Eva behind.
For what its worth, I would be too ! She's cool.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nath View Post
(I new it far too loose but in the cold couldn't find the motivation to adjust it)
I know that feeling. I have been very poor with my maintenance since well before UB ... its just too cold. I have fantasies about finding heated garages available for public use by the highway so that I can do my daily maintenance. Strangely enough, I havent found any.

Last edited by colebatch; 27 Oct 2009 at 20:49.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kazakhstan Astana toward Vladivostok mcinally Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 25 Jun 2009 08:33
China contacts Redboots West and South Asia 0 19 Jun 2007 14:36
bike shops in astana? Rossa Repair Shops, North - Central Asia 4 29 Jul 2006 11:48
Genoa - need contacts Philippe - Hannibal Europe 0 27 Sep 2005 04:00
CUBA ?!!! Contacts please. mika Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 19 May 2004 03:46

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:41.