2Likes
-
1
Post By mark manley
-
1
Post By AnTyx
|
15 Jun 2023
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 8
|
|
Beijing to London - one day
G'day all.
This is going to be one of those slow burner threads as I plan and hopefully get to ride from Beijing to London. I am a school teacher here in Beijing and the plan is to ride back to London, in the not too distant future.
I have many years riding experience starting in the 70's Honda Elsinore MR50 all the way through various motocross and enduro machines followed by RGV 250's, Thundercats, GSXR's, a couple of vintage Vespa's and currently a Benelli TRK502 (cheap here in Beijing).
What will I ride back to London? Maybe the Benelli, maybe something else. Will be affordable.
Who with? Maybe myself, maybe two up with the wife.
Rough route - China, Tibet (still China),Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, wherever in Europe, UK.
I will be reading as much on here and other websites as I can, and devour all the information I can get. Will also no doubt ask lots of questions, including some dumb ones no doubt.
Cheers
Brendan
|
15 Jun 2023
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
|
|
Hi Brendan and welcome,
That sounds like a good plan, my only observations are assuming that you are a British passport holder you might have to get the ferry from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan due to problems with visas for both Turkmenistan and Iran. That does not mean it is totally impossible but certainly problematic at the moment, good luck with your planning and keep us informed.
|
15 Jun 2023
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,102
|
|
Hi Brendan! Sounds like a great plan. Insofar as you already have Chinese residency and a Chinese driver's license, you've solved probably the most difficult logistical problem for your trip - everything else is just a matter of setting out and doing it, and I think a Benelli TRK502 will easily handle the trip.
|
16 Jun 2023
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 8
|
|
The model Benelli that I have is more road oriented. It's the TRK502 and not the TRK502X.
https://www.benelli.co.uk/model/2023...li-trk-502-763
https://www.benelli.co.uk/model/2023...-trk-502-x-764
Mine is a 2018 model so without the fancy dash.
It has the underslung exhaust which means no centre stand. This obviously makes servicing or tyre puncture repair rather difficult. The wheels are also smaller and not the spoked type.
So I could either change the exhaust and add a centre stand or change the bike. I assume the cheaper option is to change the exhaust.
So how important is it to have a centre stand? I would think this is a no brainer and a must have.
What about the wheels?
Any and all advice welcome.
|
21 Nov 2023
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2023
Posts: 8
|
|
In the meantime whilst i wait for the Beijing to London trip to materialise, I am going/intending to ride the Pamir highway in the summer of 2024. Geuss I'll start a new thread for that one.
|
21 Nov 2023
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 837
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley
assuming that you are a British passport holder you might have to get the ferry from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan due to problems with visas for both Turkmenistan and Iran.
|
The ferry is cargo-only, as you are probably aware the Azerbaijan land and sea borders are closed to tourists. There is no likelihood of this changing in the medium future, as the AZ authorities want to prevent the influx of Russian draft dodgers that Georgia has experienced.
From Beijing to London you have two options, the north or south route. South would take you through India, Pakistan and Iran - and as Mark says the attitude of the Iranian authorities toward UK passport holders isn't very helpful. From Beijing I'd say the northern route is better anyway, as it can take you through Mongolia and the Central Asian states, which are well worth riding. You would have to enter Russia twice, but for fairly short distances, and Russian visas are readily available. That would take you back to Europe via Georgia and Turkey.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2024:
- California: April 18-21
- Virginia: April 25-28
- Germany Summer: May 9-12
- Québec: May 17-19
- Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
- CanWest: July 11-14
- Switzerland: August 15-18
- Ecuador: August 23-25
- Romania: August 30-Sept 1
- Austria: September 12-15
- France: September 20-22
- Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
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...
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™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
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!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
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.
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.
|
|
|