You can route plan with a decent map...I used a National Geographic one and it worked...I fine tuned with local maps when I got into a specific country...

Depending on your riding skill, you can ride the entire distance...from East to West the road conditions improve...between Khabarovsk to Chita...95% of that road is not tarmac and you're riding into a construction zone...
Even when on tarmac between Vlad and Khab, the road turns to gravel...shockingly without a sign in corners!!! Its a well travelled route as there are MANY Jap cars being driven from Vlad out West...

There's an excellent Russian Rad Atlas that you should be able to pick up in Vlad...ask around when you get there...not sure if its available on the net or locally as its in Cyrillic..


As far as shipping goes...bonne chance...no opinion to offer other than check th shipping section of this website for leads and post a specific query about that in a different forum.

Hotels are expensive and shiite...presume $75 minimum and up...per night...no way around it...then there's the murkiness of registration...depending on what type of visa you get...you may be able to registrer just once at the Post Office BUT keep ALL of your receipts from Hotels...just in case.

HTH

__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

Thanks HTH for the help.
I do have a National Geographics map but I will look into the Russian Road Atlas. I believe there is an online English company that sells those.
I usually get an annual business visa for Russia and have never had anyone at passport control ask about where I've been or how come I don't have any registration stamps. Because the value of the dollar has sunk to about 24.5 rubles to the dollar and inflation is rampant in Russia everything is going to cost MUCH more.
Shipping the bike is being handled by Nick at STS Logics. He read an article on what I was doing for the kids in Russia (he's Russian) and said he would cover the cost of shipping my bike there. I was humbled by his generosity.
Thanks for the tips on the roads. I was told it would be best to wait until August because the swampy area would dry out by then and the mosquito's aren't near as bad but I really can't wait that long because I am going to take my time.

Hello. your trip sounds great. If you are not staying in one place for 3 or more days you tecnicaly dont have to redgester but try to do it when you can. Fewer hotels do that now espesialy if your only staying for 1-2 night and they will be the expensive ones. You can get cheap places to stay which we didnt have any problems with(just dont expect 5 stars) for les than $10, may not get hot water though. We prefered to stay in the cheap ones becose you met more pepole that way.
When you get to a police check point with a stop sign make sure you stop and put your foot on the road even if no one is around, and then go. If you get caught speeding or anything dont give them what they ask for, $10 is usualy enough unles you have done something quite bad and they have you by the short and curleyes. Ukrainian police are the worst but if you pass them at high speed youl have less chance of geting pulled over, they have les power than Russians anyway. Russian border police are profesional and straight(we found) but Ukraine ones try to take the piss every time with us.
Hope you will let us know how you get along. Sorry about the speling, its not my first language.

Thanks, rhunjones!
I certainly don't want the Guyeeya's to have me by the "the short and curleyes"!

Daaayo, Any chance you are looking for another traveler? I have been looking for someone to ride with from Vladivostok through Russia and into Ukraine. Your time frame works for me as does your agenda.

maroonga - email sent

I do have a National Geographics map but I will look into the Russian Road Atlas. I believe there is an online English company that sells those.

Hi there Daaayo,

Atlas is available in Stanfords books and maps, UK.
Website is Stanfords' Maps and Travel Books Online.

Hopefully everything goes well with the kid and i'll see you on the same road this summer. Same goes for you maroonga.
I will be in contact with HU Vladivostok community prior to arrival.

Nasvidenje

After meeting with the doctor last Tuesday that will be operating on Valya's leg I will have to postpone my trip until '09. The doctor said it will probably take about 6 months of operations and rehab before there is a possibility of saving her leg. Bummer. But I gotta do everything possible to save the kids leg. She doesn't speak English and no one else in my family speaks Russian except me. Good new is that it will give me more time to plan, promote and find some more sponsors (hopefully). Also I am going to turn it into a RTW trip spending the majority of the time in Russia and Ukraine focusing on the children of the orphanages.
Thank you all for your help and suggestions. Any suggestions on shipping or air freighting my bike from Europe to the East coast of the US or Cananda would be appreciated.

Gents, ( maroonga, Daaayo & others )

I'm also planning a trip Vladivlostok to Europe starting June 2008. I'll email you both, I'm flying solo at this stage, but looking to link up with people at various points.

If you don't hear from me, please get in touch.

Thanks

Hi,
your project does sound fantastic!
I myself have just crossed Russia in winter (in fact, 2 days ago I made into Estonia coming from St. Pete) and I can tell you:

- The road between Chaborowsk and Chita is almost finished. It is absolutely no problem to drive/ride it - and I don't think that it will be much different in summer. The road is gravel, true, but except for a puncture in your tyre here and then, you will not face any difficulties riding it. Also, fuel is available every 100km or so. Sleeping: there are so called "gastinizas" (with your Russian knowledge you probably can pronounce this better than I can) along the road - not too often, but we found every evening a decent bed and got some hearty "Borscht". However, in summer you will be able to camp.

- Our average speed from Vladivostok to Lake Baikal was 74km/h (ok, with a Toyota Land-Cruiser, but ur BMW won't be much slower)

- People are super friendly all along the way

- After Chaborowsk there are luckily no more corrupt policemen (however, be prepared: after Novosibirsk they stand behind every snowhill).

- If you have time, visit Mongolia and the SOS-Children's Village in Ulaanbaataar for an exemplary orphanage

If you want to read my roadbook entry for the corresponding leg of my trip, please follow

PanMundo.Com

Have a great trip!
Tobias

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In 2 years around the world by 4x4
PanMundo.Com

Thanks for the current road condition report! That is encouraging and I will take a look at your website.
Hope you had a good heater in your vehicle!