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UK > Thailand. overland.... just completed it. UK > Thailand. overland.... just completed it.
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Photo by Stefan Thiel of Mark Hammond crossing a river in NW Mongolia

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


Photo by Stefan Thiel, of
Mark Hammond crossing
a river in NW Mongolia



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  • 6 Post By Russ McDermid

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  #1  
Old 22 Nov 2015
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hereford, UK. & Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Posts: 29
UK > Thailand. overland.... just completed it.
Briefly, left the UK in August 2015, and rode via :
  • France
  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Hungary
  • Romania
  • Bulgaria
  • Turkey
  • Georgia
  • Russia
  • Kazakstan
  • Uzbekistan
  • Kzyrgystan
  • China
  • Laos
to reach my destination, Chiang Mai, Thailand in early October. I used a Honda Transalp 700 for the journey.

I have written a blog at UK to Thailand, on a Transalp. which is biased towards the experiences, rather that factual detail. But if anyone needs advice or updated information on any aspect of the trip, please post or PM me.

I am in the process of entering all my waypoints (hotels, fuel stations, etc) into Open Street Map, and will be happy to provide the actual GPX log on request.

My bike is currently in Thailand, and would even contemplate selling it to someone who wanted to ride back !! Its ready to go.

Russ.
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  #2  
Old 22 Nov 2015
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Well done Russ.

I enjoyed following your progress.

Has your "itch" been scratched or are you planning anything else transcontinental ???
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  #3  
Old 23 Nov 2015
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Location: Hereford, UK. & Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Think Im done for a while, but never say never ... I'll be exploring SE Asia in the near future.
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  #4  
Old 23 Nov 2015
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congratulations ! Nice trip you have done !
If i can in 16 ou 17 I will try to travel to Russia and east from there .
So your experience will be useful .
about the bike ?
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  #5  
Old 19 Mar 2016
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Hi Russ.... im doing this trip starting in August 2016.....can i ask what tyres you decided to opt for.. also.. did you have all the inoculations listed..?

Cheers
John
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  #6  
Old 20 Mar 2016
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hereford, UK. & Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Posts: 29
Tyres
John,
Briefly as on the road now, I started on Metzler's tourace and changed hal way to Heidenau Scouts. The latter was a mistake, as they self destructed ( I have a separate post about this). The touraces would have been fine for the whole trip.
A fellow rider on Tiger 800 used Mitas Mt-07 and these were an excellent choice.
We both staged tyres in Astrakhan, Russia, if you are going that way.
Best, Russ.
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  #7  
Old 3 Sep 2020
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Cost of a single traveller through China
Hi

Great to follow your experience

China to Loas must have meant a long drive in China, I am planning a trip on 4 wheels and have constantly been advised that China would be costly for 1 vehicle.

We are visiting as many "Stans" as possible.

My dilemma is do we go from Tajikistan at the Ishkashim border from Tajikjstan to Afghanistan then travel the Wakan Corridor and exit to Pakistan via Broghil (Barogahil)

OR Kzyrgystan to China

How did you get a (I assume) reasonable price to travel through China as a single person with a guide etc.

We look forward to your reply

Regards Paul & Julie
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  #8  
Old 4 Sep 2020
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How do you enjoy the bike? What are the best and worst aspects about it? I'm interested
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  #9  
Old 4 Sep 2020
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Location: Hereford, UK. & Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Briefly....
No inoculations.
Transalp was a good bike for the task providing no extensive off roading is envisaged, just tarmac roads.
I used a Chinese Guide, recommended by the UK Motoexplorers... name of Abdul... got us Chinese Licences, then followed 7 of on bikes in his saloon car, with his back-up driver. And yes, after 26 days with us, he had to drive 8 days back to Kashgar so it probably was expensive, but not sure exact cost as it went thru Motoexplorers.
For bikers, I can recommend Jia Xu at Active China adventure travel, who I have since ridden with.. if he doesn't explicitly support 4x4 vehicles, Im sure he can recommend.
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