Waiting for USPS to delivery crankshaft in Ulan Ude
 

An eBay crankshaft was shipped Tuesday from Oregon to Ulan Ude, Russia. It was shipped to my mechanics friend. He has received bike parts from America before. Everybody laugh as I'm getting worried after only 4 days. I've read the horror stories too.

Are there any plan B's ? My wife is having some medical issues that may end my trip if I don't get moving soon.

Ah.. Domestic service... Via Moscow... Ouch.

One chap Jose had his tyres sent to Tajikistan from Spain on the national parcel carrier and they have been stuck in Moscow since August 2012

You're just trying to lift my spirits, aren't you?

can you leave the bike there, go home and see your wife.. and then pick up the trip later?

I don't know how permanent her situation is going to be.I may not be able to leave again.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The only plan b is probably to find someone to hand carry the part to Russia and then express mail it to you there. Even that would probably take several days.

I called USPS.last night. They say it was sorted in San Francisco on 6/20.Hope it's in Russia by now. I don't know if there is a central customs clearance or if each city does their own.If it is here, I'll go put a bug in their ear.

For places like Ulan Ude, I'm pretty sure that everything goes through Moscow, but it can't hurt to try.

I don't want to be a downer - but stuff we sent home from Russia took, on occasion over 2 months to get to Australia. Was the address written in Latin or Cyrillic? I imagine if was in Latin that is only going to increase your waiting time.

My mechanic has a friend that seems to work in the post office. Yesterday he said it is in Russia. I don't know where in Russia though. It left San Francisco on 6/20. Hold on a minute. Let me go see if it's in the porch.

No, not yet.

again, not to be a downer, but it is not getting the part to Russia which is the problem, but getting it out of customs.

please keep us posted!

waiting
 

Hello Doug,

yes pls keep us up to date about your crankshaft arrival and the repair.

Maybe you can go (on another bike or rent a car) for a few days up to Lake Baikal ... I enjoyed camping at the shore.

Greetings from Switzerland
mika

Crap. I was in Ullan Ude yesterday. I would have bought you a beer had I seen this. Hope it works out man.

Noah

I think my trip my be ending. My wife has been to several doctors since I left home. Yesterday the doctor said she may have multiple sclerosis. If I don't have the crankshaft by Monday, I'll probably abandon the bike.Looking into how to legally do that. Then I'd take a bus to Ulanbaatar. $1400 cheaper flying home from there.My trip pales in comparison to her getting that news and being alone.

I am looking into renting a car or taking a bus to Lake Baikal tomorrow or Sunday.

Can't comment on leaving a bike legally in Russia. I don't think you can. It was discussed previously at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tomorrow-65190 If you're not intending to re-visit Russia, you can just leave it.

If the part actually arrives in Ulan Ude, maybe a buddy can fix/ride the bike to Europe. Or a buddy can fly in with the part, fix the bike, and ride it?

I'll be passing Ulan Ude en route from Ulaan Bataar to Irkutsk on about 10th July and will be at the Oasis Guest house in UB on 7th/8th/possibly 9th July. I fly into UB on 7th July. Will drink some beer with you if we're in the same place at the same time.

I hope everything goes well with your wife. You know what you have to do.

All the Vest Best

Bad news. You can leave a bike legally there you need to import it and pay the duties, but you can leave it illegally. If you want to it legally maybe a Russian will take it and pay the duties. That is what I did.

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Tapatalk 2

I guess I'll waiting a little longer for my parts.

I'm looking at taking a bus to Ulanbaatar for 2-3 days. If crankshaft comes in that time, I will ride through UB after assembly. Won't need to stop. Then I would ride west. If it's not in Ulan Ude when I return I thought maybe take a train through Russia. Just try to salvage something from my trip. If the crankshaft arrived before getting to Europe, I'd consider flying back. What a mess.

I'm in UU. I was about a week behind you out of Vlad. I'll be here another day or so. Anything i can do to help?

FWIW I dont speak russian, but met a few bikers on the way in case you need some connections etc.

All the best
NY-Lon

I've been staying at my mechanics house for over 2 weeks now. They are taking care of me better than I could have dreamed. I'm taking a bus to Ulanbaatar in the morning. I'll be back on the 7th.Just found out my crankshaft is in Moscow and will be here in 3-4 days. When I get back and the bike seems worthy, I'll decide if I will ride through Mongolia or just go west through Russia. I want to ride Mongolia. I would hate to miss this opportunity.

Hope your ride in America was fun for everybody.

My crankshaft should be delivered in about an hour. I've been here almost 4 weeks. It's been a good stay with good people. But I'm ready to go.While here my wife's test found she doesn't have multiple sclerosis. She has spinal sinosis-treatable. And getting good results with just medication right now.

Glad to hear that both problems seem to be getting solved. Hopefully you're back on the road already!

The bike is running great and I'm almost in Istanbul.

Have a nice trip.

You did that really fast to Istanbul.

wow, yeah. im still in mongolia, after we met in UB!

Well, I did 7 days of 500+ miles. I didn't see much to stop for in 3000 miles of Russia. You'll see soon.

Phillip, did you see my blog about the bridge 40 miles west of Khovd? It's missing. But if you follow a trail north along the river about 2 miles, there is a newer bridge. Unless you'd rather go swimming. It was deep and fast when I got there.

I'm so glad things have panned out ok for you :-) :D :D

@doogle
Hope all ok with you and I guess you are in istanbul now.
Sorry to hear about health problems of your wife.
If you still have some problems, lets meet and discuss about the possible local solutions in İstanbul..
An old hippy,and experienced adventure traveller for this part of the world is available here friendly..
All the best...

Hi Doodle

No, I went through the river because I did not see the bridge.

But it was ok to cross it...:innocent:

i took the northern route, so didnt see that. my route was basically dry - no more than 6" of water. I did take a side trip to see the eagle hunters, and got caught in a deep stream on the way back to Olgii - a nice fall, which i caught on video.

i did speak to some guys who went through that river on the southern route - apparently, although it was a narrow river, it was up to their seats.

Im in the Altai now - also pleased to have internet finally.

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I spent the night with a college teacher/preacher from Tennessee and 2 guys from Ohio when I was there. Nice to hear home English now and then.
I'm near Athens with a broken rear wheel now. I think I have a replacement lined up Monday morning.