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 Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Mar 2005
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Alice Springs, NT, Australia
Posts: 25
Practical details on driving through Russia and Mongolia

Hello fellow travellers.

Last year myself, my wife Kienny and a friend Tom travelled from Vladivostok in Eastern Russia to Murmansk in North West Russia. We have finally updated our WEB page to include a lot of the practical information such as border crossings, visa, camping, gps, maps, road conditions, shipping, costs, money etc. etc. Hopefully this information will help you to plan your trip and answer many of your questions.

Main WEB page:
http://overland.dreamers1.com

Practical details on driving through Russia and Mongolia page:
http://dreamers1.com/russia/Practica...ticalities.htm

If anyone has any corrections or additional items that should be added then please let us know.

Geoff..

[This message has been edited by kingsmill (edited 30 March 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Mar 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Aalst, Belgium
Posts: 365
This is really a wealth of information. Thanks a lot !
__________________
2006-2007-2008 : Brussels - Cape town - Tokio - Lubumbashi - Brussels

http://www.radiobaobab.be
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Mar 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 212
Another heartfelt thank you for posting this incredibly useful and detailed information. I greatly appreciate the time and effort you expended to put it on your website. I've printed out most of it and will have committed much of it to memory by the time I leave for my trip across Russia in mid-July.

One question - how frequently did you encounter the type of gasoline pump which would not shut off until the ordered amount of gas had been pumped? Boorman and McGregor had considerable difficulty with these, McGregor being squirted in the eye with gas, and I'm somewhat concerned about this situation since I will be filling a relatively small motorcycle tank with little margin for error. I'm considering installing a translucent tank on the bike so as to be able to better judge how much gas to purchase.

Thanks again.

Mike
__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Mar 2005
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Alice Springs, NT, Australia
Posts: 25
Filling up with fuel in Russia (especially Eastern Russia) and Mongolia is not up to the standard we have at home. On at least three occassions we had fuel overflowing on the ground because we could not shut off the pump. Many pumps do shut off but some don't and unfortunately you never know which one is not going to work. After a few fills you can pretty much gauge how much fuel to buy based on the distance travelled. My advice is to buy slightly less than you need. This means that you might not be able to fill your tank to capacity but at least you won't have to worry about getting fuel all over your bike. Also, make sure you place the hose in the tank before you go and pay for fuel, otherwise if the lady behind the counter hits the button too soon or if you press the button on the side of the pump too soon fuel will go everywhere. This happened to our friend who was travelling on a motorbike. He had unclipped the hose from the fuel pump and had it pointed in the direction of the bike when the lady behind the counter hit the on button and fuel sprayed all over the bike.

Part of the fun of travelling is to experience new things. Ordering, paying and filling up with fuel in Russia is certainly an unforgettable experience.

Talking about experiences, I remember one day we were filling up with fuel and a car drove off with the nozzle still in car. The hose ripped staight off the fuel bowser. Needless to say the driver was embarrassed and the shop owner was not impressed!

Geoff..
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Mar 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 84
Our solution to the problem was two fold. Our range on the Tigers was 500 Km given normal riding. We always refuelled some where between 300 and 400 km. When we came to refuel we under estimated our consumption and requested that amount of fuel per bike (we had two bikes). Then we had a 4 litre jerry can which we then ordered a second amount of fuel (4 litres) and toped the tanks up with the can. As we had a mulit fuel stove we then used the remainder of the fuel in the can for cooking. That way we always had a full fuel tank and the maximum range if we ever miscalculated the distances between stops. But we never had any distances in Russia its self greater than 500 km.

As others have said most of the fun was working out the system at the stations and the fun of communicating through reflective glass. I ended up always having a pen and writing the litres we wanted for each bike on my hand and pressing that up against the window with a pathetic pleading grin on my face saying “Da?”

The other problem was how to activate the pump.

Cheers and enjoy Russia. Great place to travel

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Mar 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
hello

i put some practical info on my website, i was in central asia russia mongolia iran pakistan in 2002, it may have changed a bit though :

http://vincent.danna.free.fr/infos/index.html

good luck, enjoy
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Mar 2005
madmarco's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Posts: 134
By the way, the most important word to get fuel in russia is 'polno'. That means 'fill up' or 'full'. You give the nice lady behind the counter enough money, put a smile on your lips and say 'polno' in the sweetest way possible. That will release you of the problem that you can never fill up the whole fuel tank.

Don't forget to ask for the rest of the money you gave before. With a smile :-)

Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net
__________________
Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 Mar 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 212
Thanks guys for the info on fuel pumps, etc.

Good to hear from you again, Marco. Where are you now and how's your bike?

Mike
__________________
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Apr 2005
madmarco's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Posts: 134
Hi Mike

I'm in Buenos Aires but will leave back for switzerland in a few days. I park my bike here and return later. By the way, on my homepage (although it is in german) you can find on the upper left part a section called 'wegpunkte' where you can see where i am. if you click on it, you get directed to mapquest.com

Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net
__________________
Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net
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


 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

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. 11-15
  • 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 13:19.