I'm taking some time away from work this year and are planning on spending 3 months on the bike around Eastern Europe and possibly into the Stans, have a look at these maps- they are more a list of countries to visit rather than a defined route.
I'm planning on Leaving the Uk early July and getting back early (ish) October. I've done a fair bit of touring around Western Europe (France & Spain mostly) and a little bit of Eastern Europe. This trip will be spending time in Germany & countries Eastwards. I'd like to get into Russia and if plans work out some of the Stans as per the maps.
I'm hoping to be staying in hostels/hotels all the way, more hostels than hotels though to keep costs down.
I've considered camping and although not completely out of the planning options it's something I've not done for a very very long time. I wonder if all the hassle of carrying the extra kit really outweighs the benefits. As a novice camper I may of course be missing the point!!
I've no idea what the hostel situation is like in some of the more Eastern countries so perhaps for the Stans I would have to camp, any advice gratefully received.
Also would it be unwise to go that far without carrying the bigger spares such as tyres etc, I wouldn't know where to stop and would end up with half a bike in spares if I'm not careful......

I'll be posting here when i'm on the road looking to hook up with other travellers, so if your going to be around anywhere I may be in that time period it would be great to meet up. I'm more than happy to spend the day alone on the bike but some company for in the evenings would be more than welcome and would help with my sanity....

So any advice from any of you seasoned travellers about my early plans?, I appreciate at this stage they are a bit general but it's a framework to build upon!!

And if anyone wants to join me you'd be more than welcome!
Thanks for reading,

JC

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A big boy did it and ran away.

Very nice route, though you will be pretty pressed for time with just 3 months to do all that.

The notion of hostels does not really exist in the former USSR, although Uzbekistan is an exception. Hotels are generally quite expensive, and camping can be wonderful if you find a nice spot. Out in the middle of the desert in Uzbekistan was one of my favourites!

Belarus is a lovely place, definitely worth the visa hassle.

Russia is just fantastic, try to take some back-roads in the Urals region while you are there.

You've picked a good route through Kazakhstan, Turkestan is a must-see, and its a nice drive from Astana down via Karaghanda and Kyzylorda. You could head south on a rough road to Zhetisay, some marvellous scenery near there north of the reservoir, and it gets you closer to the border crossing with UZ which is no longer the one directly north of Tashkent for some reason...

I travel on four wheels, so can't give you any bike-specific info, but weight is the killer, and I guess this is even more true with a bike. Try to have everything serviced and in top condition before you leave, especially suspension. If you take a load of spare parts, they won't be the ones that break! probably better to have contingency for a parts dealer in the UK to be able to courier stuff directly out to you if it becomes necessary.

Try to get all your visas sorted before you leave - with your schedule the last thing you want is a week waiting in a big city for a visa.

Best of luck

Daniel

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4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
Pictures Here|https://picasaweb.google.com/113619413612674951960

Look's good JC. I'm looking at the second map D to H. Could be interested in that. I'm off my self in May. For as long as the money last's. I'll keep an eye on this and see how it pan's out.
John933

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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.