Iran to Mongolia in winter??
 

I want to ride from Iran up through Uzbekistan, Tajikstan, Kazakstan, Russia and into Mongolia but my timing is a bit out for the seasons, think I will be getting to Iran around October then maybe a few months to Mongolia so that would put me up that area right in the beginning of winter so what I wanted to know is it possible still to pass through here this time of year with roads and the conditions, will it be simply to cold??

Any info would be appreciated greatly.

cheers

Robbo

It can snow in Russia in October.

Robbo: I spent four years in Mongolia and I can tell you that you don't want to be riding there between early October and late March. The roads are covered with ice much of that time. Mongolia does not get much snow, but the cold is severe and you would be in danger of dying quite quickly if you had any kind of breakdown or accident.

Winter temperatures often reach -40, which is at a level that you don't even want to be walking around much outside, let alone riding. Furthermore, while Mongolia in the summer is beautiful, in the winter it is unversally white and brown, so travel is boring as well as freezing.

I would never say something is impossible, but riding in Mongolia in the winter would be very uncomfortable, seriously dangerous, and overall highly unpleasant.

Scott

What about this guy:

DaveBarr.com

It's obviously possible, but probably best to heed local advice! You'll probably have a difficult time and might die, but it will be a hell of a a story. I don't think October will be as bad as January, but it will still be pretty cold.

BBC world weather is useful

eg for UB Mongolia go here:

BBC - Weather Centre - World Weather - Average Conditions - Ulaanbaatar

How hard do you think you are? Good luck.

Cheers.