Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
RTW eastward or westward? RTW eastward or westward?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree11Likes
  • 2 Post By sushi2831
  • 2 Post By mark manley
  • 1 Post By Alanymarce
  • 3 Post By Tim Cullis
  • 3 Post By Flipflop

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 2
RTW eastward or westward?
Hello Riders,

I am a new member of this forum and I have some questions that I hope you guys can answer.
I am planning a rtw trip in 6 months from the Netherlands.

Roughly my planning is to exit Europe through Turkey, cross the Caspian Sea (by ferry), the Stans, Mongolia, Russia, (south-korea), Canada, US, Europe.
I did some research on the internet and almost everything I can find is people heading east.
Is there a specific reason for that?

I ask this question because heading west saves me some time. (shipping the bike ahead to the US).
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
Posts: 265
Quote:
Originally Posted by Olivier81 View Post
I did some research on the internet and almost everything I can find is people heading east.
Is there a specific reason for that?
Hello


VISA, at home you can get them easier (or only) than on the road.
Once you have them, you have to use them in the next 90 days (usually).


sushi
__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 2
good one, have to check on that
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,524
If youre european or live in Europe and start your trip there and youre heading east you can ride and ride and ride. For months and tens and tens of thousands of kms and nimerous countries. If youre heading west you will hit the Atlantic ocean quite soon and youre ride wont be long.

But of course theres not a problem if youre want to start your trip in north or south America and ship your bike there and start your trip there. Also consider buying a bike in America somewhere and save a good bit on shipping....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
It does fit in with weather patterns, leave Europe in the summer and you can be in South and Southeast Asia when the monsoon has past and it is winter in Europe, time it well and you can have 12 months of good riding weather.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 384
1) I think some people prefer to get used to a long road trip in an environment more familiar to them.

2) if you like to ride early in the morning and arrive at your day's destination to explore in the afternoon then heading west means you have the sun behind you when you're riding. If you prefer to start later then heading east means you're not riding into the sun at the end of the afternoon.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Jan 2021
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,524
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
It does fit in with weather patterns, leave Europe in the summer and you can be in South and Southeast Asia when the monsoon has past and it is winter in Europe, time it well and you can have 12 months of good riding weather.
Yup - very valid point!
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834
Good point with targetting East vs West. But often the roads arent exactly a stright line!

Check too the options for the Silkroad or Transsibiria. Not only for avoiding Issues because of Corona restrictions.



I try to collect informations and links about both routes here:
https://www.4x4tripping.com/2020/12/...rasse.html?m=0

My dream is a roundloop. Till Japan over the Transsibiria, shipping to Vietnam and driving back through the classic Silkroad.

The advantages of Transsibiria are not just the amount of Visa, Currency and Simcards, it is too a beautiful landscape to travel. The option to visit north korea. If I had to choose between, I would head the southern way, but if possible I will do both.

Surfy
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 384
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
Yup - very valid point!
It's true, however OP isn't planning SE Asia..
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Jan 2021
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Phileas Fogg (Round the World in Eighty Days) went east as well. Started and finished at the Reform Club on London's Pall Mall.

And there's nothing worse than riding into the setting sun every day.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Jan 2021
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 448
There’s the money thing as well.
Head east and your fairly quickly out of the expensive part of Europe into the cheaper Balkans and beyond.

Ship your bike to expensive North America and it’s easy to get carried away, staying in hotels and drinking - before you know it you’re eating through your budget and can’t afford to ship to Asia .

By the time you’ve ridden through Asia you’ll b so used to roughing it you’ll be will camping and drinking river water in the US
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
rtw westward eastward

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
His and Hers WR250R's - RTW ready in AZ rtwpaul Bikes sell / want, North America 0 29 Mar 2019 19:04
UK > RTW Bike Suggestions Mark500x Which Bike? 19 4 Feb 2018 12:39
Advice Requested on RTW Visas and Borders Crossing with UK Passport jamesallen Route Planning 4 10 Feb 2016 21:05
Honda CB500 RTW? scott_walker_1 Honda Tech 7 16 Dec 2013 09:17
BMW Spokes on Not on RTW luckyluke84 BMW Tech 4 28 Apr 2012 10:31

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

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.

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!



Five books by Graham Field!

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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.

Susan and Grant Johnson 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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:25.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top