Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
who has plans for BAM/110/ROB summer 2013? who has plans for BAM/110/ROB summer 2013?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Like Tree22Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
We probably won't end up meeting up unless I end up doing the ROB.

In developments I've just booked flights and will be in Khabarovsk on the 14th of june. I expect to start from Ulan-Ude on the 18th or so once I get myself there (a short 48hr train ride) and organise a few other things that can only be done in cities like a sim card, visa registration etc. Just need to get the visa and it won't be long before I'm standing next to my bike terrified at the thought that I'm riding off towards the bam alone trying to decide if it's a good idea.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Apr 2013
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by black_labb View Post
...Just need to get the visa and it won't be long before I'm standing next to my bike terrified at the thought that I'm riding off towards the bam alone trying to decide if it's a good idea.
BAM Road is fine ... always remember you have this huge safety net there of the train line. Trains will stop on the BAM if you flag them down in the middle of nowhere - especially the small local trains.

The 110 and Old Summer Road are more of an issue safety wise. You dont really have any backup until someone else comes along. Which might be days or even a week or more.

There are some bear habitats along the Western BAM - around Khani (Hani) its said to be an area to be wary. But I have done the road a few times and not seen any there. More of an issue up north, on the Old Summer Road and approaching Magadan.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
I'm not worried about the safety side of things all that much. Mostly I'm concerned about the solitude and not having any depth of communication with the locals. I have just started to learn a bit of russian but I won't be having any philosophical debates in Russian that's for sure. I started this topic in the hope of making a few connections with people I may see along the way. Sharing a few stories next to the road or even camping somewhere along the way if convenient would be great.

I'm very content with my own company and have done a fair bit of bike travel alone but the track will take 60-80 days. This will be spent without much communication aside from meeting locals with varying levels of understanding and maybe a couple other "adventurers". I know I can deal with it, but it could be a factor to me just not enjoying myself and skipping a difficult section.

I started this thread to try and make a couple connections with people who I might see out there. I'd love to stop for a chat and exchange stories or even share a night camping if the timing is right.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Apr 2013
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,364
Look out for 3 m/cs, 1 black Honda Transalp (pic of bike and rider in RR, link in sig below) and 2 BMW Xchallenge. Likely to be on the western BAM going west-east) around 10 to 20 July and Yakutsk-Magadan-Yakutsk (OSR one way, NFR the other) at end July/beginning August.

Beers always good.
__________________

TBS.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
Sounds like we'll probably meet up at some point along the track.

Quote:
Originally Posted by chris View Post
Beers always good.
Absolutely, I didn't think it needed to be said.

Probably a silly question but do the baltic porters that are brewed fairly often in breweries around St Petersburg make it to the tiny shops along the bam? If so any reservations I have will be forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 Apr 2013
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by black_labb View Post
Probably a silly question but do the baltic porters that are brewed fairly often in breweries around St Petersburg make it to the tiny shops along the bam?
Not really ... (and food) tends to be basic in the BAM end of the world. There is no problem finding food and in the shops in the towns and villages along the way .. just expect the usual tuborg, kuler, 2 litre plastic bottles of ochakovo and sibirskaya korona, rather than boutique s.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Apr 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
**** man, I've read through your blogs about the bam at least 5 times each. You talk about the physical challenges regularly, but only now do you reveal the ultimate challenge, mediocre !

At least it will be better than most Australian s and a shedload cheaper.

On a more serious note thanks for your willingness to share information and help people. You deserve to be bought the best possible.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 1 May 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 174
bam
yes i will be there, but hoping to move fairly quickly.

leaving moscow in august, aiming for vladivostok around 12 october.

solo bmw g650xc.

dave
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2 May 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
Quote:
Originally Posted by dajg View Post
yes i will be there, but hoping to move fairly quickly.

leaving moscow in august, aiming for vladivostok around 12 october.

solo bmw g650xc.

dave
What's your planned route? I wouldn't want to still be doing water crossings in October if I could help it.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 17 May 2013
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by black_labb View Post
I'm not worried about the safety side of things all that much. Mostly I'm concerned about the solitude and not having any depth of communication with the locals. I have just started to learn a bit of russian but I won't be having any philosophical debates in Russian that's for sure.
Most people end up having much more in depth conversations with Russians than they think possible.

After vodka, all sorts of philosophy opens up ...
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 May 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
It can be amazing how much you can communicate if both parties put the effort in. I have been learning some basics which I expect to lead to me learning quite a bit more as I use it. I'm looking forward to being able to hold a conversation.

I'll try not to become fluent enough in vodka'd philosophy that I wake up on the bam with nothing but a kids tricycle and someone elses clothes. That would pose as a bit of a challenge. (Or worse, a harley)
Last edited by black_labb; 18 May 2013 at 06:39.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Jun 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 55
Bump for any people with updated plans or whatever.

Landed in Khabarovsk this evening and am pretty happy to be here, reminds me a lot of Ukraine in a good way.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Jun 2013
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
whats the latest version of your manpowered plans, Black Labb ?
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 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
Siberia summer 2013 chris Travellers Seeking Travellers 36 13 Jun 2013 09:03
Share a container from AK or WA to Vladivostok summer 2013? calvin.wiley Trip Transport 7 13 Apr 2013 23:39
Support vehicle and russian translator available for FREE! summer 2013 moggy 1968 Northern and Central Asia 0 26 Feb 2013 13:04
Motorcycles go free to Iceland on Smyril ferries in summer 2013 Dave222 Iceland 2 8 Dec 2012 14:34
RTW: London to New York Summer 2013 pympster Travellers Seeking Travellers 16 30 Apr 2012 09:46

 
 

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
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 03:26.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top