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Our mission now is to get to revenue services before 5 pm. The address is 1 Sarajishvili Street (with no other info), but when we went there it was clearly an apartment building at 1 Petre Sarajishvili St, Tbilisi, Georgia. Lucky for us a young guy who lived there stopped to ask us if we needed help. He said the problem is there is 2 streets in the city with the same name and we want the other 1 David Sarajishvili St. He did not know exactly where it was, but marked on the GPS the approximate area and we found it. We dropped on elf the bikes at the hotel since it was on the way. The GPS took us to #2 Sarajisvili, which seems like it should be across the road from #1, but its not. Luckily I had searched it on google and we still had it on my phone so we could see where we were in relation and it is about 800 m away back over the overpass and up a small single lane road where lo and behold in the parking lot of a very run down apartment building was the “Revenue Services” office. The staff was very helpful and since they did not understand what we wanted they called Ana at UPS who sorted it all out for us.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4217/3...5b1b22e2_b.jpgScreen Shot 2017-06-07 at 08.21.03 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4209/3...a646e4db_b.jpgScreen Shot 2017-06-08 at 18.02.45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4216/3...eb68ef88_b.jpgTblisis-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4249/3...df44d80a_b.jpgIMG_8664 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Now time to make decisions, should we check out tomorrow or stay again and wait for the shock? The problem was solved as the shock arrived to Tblisi in the morning. We had been told by UPS that we could not go there to pick it up, but had to wait for it to go out for delivery to the shop. Ana was amazing as she arranged for us to go to the depot and get it so off we went. The entire office there was waiting for us and so excited for us! Even the random UPS driver out side wanted a photo with us!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4256/3...1e4f64cf_b.jpgTblisis-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4281/3...4aae7897_b.jpgTblisis-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4238/3...3d47ddfb_b.jpgTblisis-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4259/3...3eee394b_b.jpgTblisis-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Now back to the shop. Iura the mechanic was great he and the team did a fantastic job. They did the install for us gratis after the issue with the speed sensor.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4238/3...50955b0b_b.jpgTblisi-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The first snag was one of the lower shock bolt was torqued on way too tight and it took some doing to get it off. He managed to borrow a hardened steel driver and a 4 foot long pry bar, but off it came. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4205/3...4c67295f_b.jpgTblisi-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It was incredible to see the totally destroyed old shock! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/3...1b3fd59e_b.jpgTblisi-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4289/3...e99b9a2a_b.jpgTblisi-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4282/3...ddd09411_b.jpgTblisi-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/3...5c797859_b.jpgTblisi-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Next when they initially tried to seat the new one it did not look like it would fit. The upper frame bolt was in the way, but flipping it around solved the issue and it fit perfectly. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4277/3...223f47b7_b.jpgTblisi-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4242/3...842f9198_b.jpgTblisi-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/3...de4d4036_b.jpgTblisi-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4211/3...bf46ae71_b.jpgTblisi-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This shock is even lower than the previous and it can be cranked up into the usable range and I can sill touch the ground! This will hopefully prevent the overheating issue. Also we thing the shaft was bent probably last year on the goat path in Albania! https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4229/3...9c5a0ffc_b.jpgTblisi-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Trevor and Orvar had taken a day ride up to the battle of Didgori monument and then planned to leave for Armenia, but checking there spot they were not back to the hotel yet.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/3...8c3c5001_b.jpg18881750_10154525516356003_4831111584560534843_n by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Photo credit Trevor Video credit Orvar https://youtu.be/3XH53O8fVkM We messaged them and they came by the shop and we now could all head south together. We left the shop at 230 and rode south. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4241/3...c7da6284_z.jpgScreen Shot 2017-06-07 at 15.15.07 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We stopped about 25 km from the border to have one of the best meals we have had in a long time at a small roadside place.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4258/3...8801f4f9_b.jpgStepanivan by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4215/3...168479c3_b.jpgStepanivan-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4277/3...d8c34c32_b.jpgTblisi-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The border was very civilized and there were very few other vehicles. The first step is to get your exit stamp from Georgia. The agent wants your passport and bike registration.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4270/3...6da8dedb_b.jpgStepanivan-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4197/3...a6105210_b.jpgStepanivan-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4263/3...c5248df3_b.jpgStepanivan-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Next you ride about 1 km to the Armenian border. Here the agent wants your passport and registration and you have to remove your helmet for ID.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/3...c458ed66_b.jpgStepanivan-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4251/3...a8777ee1_b.jpgStepanivan-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4288/3...9601926a_b.jpgTblisi-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Now you ride 200 m to the customs parking. here we were met by the insurance agent who spoke English and directed us where to go. This was nice sine the border guy never told us we even had to go to customs. In customs they also want the passport and registration and fill in a TVIP. This seems a bit stupid, since I checked the VIN on Dan’s , which was correct, but when I said mine had 1 number worn the guy said “ it’s not a problem” and would not fix it….Trevor was last and funny thing was he did not even type in his VIN on the form! Useless paperwork.
Now you check out at the police gate and ride over to the insurance office. It is valid for 10 days and cost 35$US. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4243/3...0139217f_b.jpgStepanivan-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4278/3...7a3c6d63_b.jpgStepanivan-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This was going well on the paved M6 that goes along the deep valley floor until after about 10 km of dirt and construction when a back hoe driver flagged us down to say the road to Sevan was blocked this way. He did mark the waypoint on the GPS for the town where the detour ends and we headed there. This was a back track to a switch back road up the wall of the canyon.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4252/3...0c76868e_z.jpgScreen Shot 2017-06-07 at 07.55.18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4240/3...9288f8d9_b.jpgStepanivan-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/3...7c78c511_b.jpgStepanivan-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4210/3...b74da5ec_b.jpgStepanivan-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4216/3...92492c51_b.jpgStepanivan-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We finally arrived to Stepanavan at 830 pm. This is a biggish town and we made for a hotel listed in the GPS. It was ok, not cheap especially by Armenian standards and a bit Bates like. There was however great parking and a very good restaurant 2 blocks away. |
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Great to see your sorted, suspension is good!
Enjoyed your interview, interesting stuff Ride safe and enjoy Gino & Fiona |
Quote:
Thanks so much. This one so far is way better. I am cranking it up still can get my feet down, Fingers crossed. Dan swapped his stator out AGAIN today with only 30,000 km. At least we have another one and a gasket. Hope this gets us to KL. My sister can bring us another when she meets us in Vietnam in November. *&^!% BMW as i'm sure you agree. Sara |
We have a very short 124 km ride today to Sevan on the lake.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4205/3...aae026fb_b.jpgScreen Shot 2017-06-08 at 18.15.53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4196/3...373575cf_b.jpgSevan by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The road is pretty patched and totally under construction in the town of Vandzor (which looks a bit post apocalyptic). https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4226/3...13c17eeb_b.jpgSevan-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4212/3...06ec483d_b.jpgSevan-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Shortly after here you head into Dilijan National park.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4254/3...7b6ba898_b.jpgSevan-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4268/3...a50c9bac_b.jpgArmenia by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4217/3...86947452_b.jpgSevan-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4221/3...bafdfcd1_b.jpgSevan-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4230/3...133f923b_b.jpgSevan-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
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