Siberia in May
 

Hi everyone

We are looking to set out from Vladivostok in late April / early May 2010, heading to London, via Khabarovsk, Chita, Irkutsk, Mongolia, the stans etc.

My girlfriend just had the following conversation with a Russian lady:

I just had the Russian patient- she moved here about 15 years ago from Kyrgztan. I told her about your trip and she said “No, if you love him and you don’t want to lose him then tell him he can’t go. They will be very lucky if they leave Russia still alive.” L And she said that you cant drive through Siberia/Irkutsk without chains until at least the end of May/beginning of June. And she said that when she was there (in late May) she saw a car accident about every 10 minutes while she was driving. Her family aren’t even letting her grandchildren learn Russian because they don’t want them to ever go there because it’s not safe. Ugh. Such a depressing conversation. Definitely not helpful to my already significant levels of concern!!

Um, does anyone have any experience in this part of the world that might counter some of this (and placate my girlfriend)? The key issues here = how viable is riding in late April/early May, and are there really that many car crashes?

My understanding was that most areas would have thawed by the beginning of May. Is this correct?

Thanks guys!
Rob

I have russian relatives that live that side (Vlad) they drive 2wd jap imports across there to moscow !!!
the road is a federal highway now and they have put in so much money in the roads, very good road and gas stations every 200km
Look up road on here and many others have done this and no problem
see:
Practical details on driving through Russia and Mongolia (Feb-2005)

I am an American who has lived in Moscow for several years and think that your girlfriend's patient is exhibiting a tendency common among many Russians to greatly overstate dangers. I encountered this tendency the first time many years ago when Russian friends warned me that Chinese smugglers would slit my throat if I took the Trans-Siberian Express, and that if I took a night train to St. Petersburg robbers would pump knock-out gas into my compartment and rob me of everything, including my clothes (not "might", mind you, but "would"). I took both trips and of course neither of these things happened.

In direct response to your questions:

1) Road Conditions: I can't say whether or not you can drive in Siberia at that time of year without chains, but can tell you that in early June 2008 I rode from Chita westward through Siberia, and that between Chita and Ulan Ude the road was closed due to snow about two days before we passed through, and that there was still some snow on the sides of the road in the "mountains" (quite small) along the road when we passed through. The bad part of the road is further east toward Vladivostok, and I would expect that it would be very messy in April/May. While most of the road from Chita to the west is paved, you should be prepared for snow at least on occasion.

2) General Safety: Keep on your toes and you should have no problem "leaving Russia alive." Drivers are bad, but traffic is pretty sparse, so if you stay alert you shouldn't have any problems, just keep some open space around you, there is no shortage of it. Roads are pretty decent, with occasional large potholes that you need to stay alert for. One of the guys in my group was involved in an accident (resulting in seperated shoulder), but it was avoidable in my opinion (don't want to say more...).

I think you'll have a great trip, although I think leaving that early could make the trip a bit challenging unless the weather cooperates. Maybe an inhabitant of the region could provide further input.

Most russians have no clue at all about Siberia. One who hasnt even lived there at all will honestly have no clue. As helpful as she is trying to be, I have to say her information is frankly preposterous from where I sit. She sounds dangerously like one of those two clueless muppet 'russian advisor' girls on the start of Long Way Round

I just spent over 4 months on a moto in Russia, .... Its fine! ... I have been here dozens of times, going back 15 years, and its always been fine.

This year in Russia i spent time with TonyP and Tiffany from this very forum. TonyP is a pensioner from west London who rode out solo to meet me in Siberia (at the end of May). Tiffany is a female riding solo across mongolia and siberia. On Olkhon Island we met an aussie pensioner couple in a 4wd, who couldnt speak the language but were having a ball. I could go on and on.

So it cant be that scary.

As for riding in May ... for what you want to do, it will probably be fine. I will again be there in early April on my bike. It will be cold, but possible. I was in Siberia at the end of May this year and it ranged from warm and 15-20 one day to coldish and 6-7 degrees the next. (centigrade). Absolutely there were no chains at that time of year around Irkutsk.

Tom. I am in M now. pm or sms me.

Yeah but Walter it is often in the interests for people to make it sound more extreme , and shite I was going to join you at Magadan next year (as an Indie) but alas the XT600 has been stolen , and I've only been back in the UK for a short period of time!

Robbie,

Weather: May should be OK for crossing Siberia. (June 2008 we had no snow,balzing sun and Lake Baikal was already fully liquid)
Crashes: Not the best drivers in the world, but lots of road on which to avoid them. No more dangerous than riding at home.
Safety: No more dangerous than other destinations, and a lot safer than London afterdark.
Road Conditions: 'Marginal' & 'Variable' on Amur, but nothing too bad now.
Russian Patient: In every village, town or country, they warn you of the thieves and murderers in the next village, town or country. It's just not true.

I'm not sure about the Stans, but don't worry about Russia. Just be sensible. Several million people are there and all seemingly wanting to help you. Just know when to say 'Enough' when the vodka's flowing

Relax and Enjoy .. Geoff

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. Taking weather into account, I think we'll aim to leave Vladivostok as close to the end of April as we can, to minimize riding in sub-zero temperatures. Re the people, my experience of the local people when visiting Irkutsk three years ago was very positive, and it's good to hear others confirm that the locals are unlikely to try and scalp us in every village!

Thanks, Rob

Vladivostok - London 2010: 51st Traverse

move your trip 2-3 weeks further in time and enjoy Russia and Stans :scooter:.
There is no white and brown bears with balalaikas in Russian city streets. It is a tale!

Listen to colebatch - he knows, not suppose.