Good call on not spending TOO much time in my backyard. I do want to put in quite a few miles around here, as the TAT trail etc will get me ready for the tougher riding, and teach me to be self sufficient in a more controlled environment.

Europe is my "backyard" as well, so I wouldn't spend too much time there, if I shipped the bike to the UK.

UK to Aus would be cool too - tons of diversity on that route, and I'm assuming a summer UK start, winter (southern summer) Australia finish would time it perfectly.

The reason I'm trying to do the route backwards, is that my girlfriend will join me for the last few months in Africa, so I want to end up there.

The 2 questions I'm still stuck on:

- What's the easiest route across Russia, and when can I ride it? I think its the Southerly road from Vladivostock, which is all asphalt now? And for season, between June to Sept seems reasonable? Can anyone confirm?

- What's the right "season" for Africa (thats why i put season in inverted commas...)? If I pass through Morocco and head down the East starting in the Autumn it will be cooler in the desert, and I can pass through Central Africa after the rainy season ends.
BUT...on my way back up the Western side, I can't figure it out. If I leave South Africa in January and head up the West, finishing in Egypt around April/May, what's the weather likely to be like along the way?

Thanks

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