I'm kicking myself that I kept putting off a trip to ride across central Asia and Russia.

Most Eastern overland routes require travelling through Russia. And those that don't are also closed to travelling Brits on bikes (Iran, China etc)

What's the chance of any kind of civility between the U.K and Russia in the next ten years ?

When this is our current situation. It's all so gloomy.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe...ns-2022-06-30/

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

10 years is a long time. In the next 5 years I would say to possibility is very low, since Putin will still be alive.

In the next 10 years I give it a 60% chance. I think we will see a change in leadership in Russia, then the country will be very unstable, and the westerners will be allowed to enter.

Just a pure guess...

Five years sounds like a long time to me. And then it will be a land of chaos.

Not good

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

We're all wired neurologically to favor catastrophizing in response to almost anything--see "Chicken Little," among others. That's because avoidance of threats (the classic saber-toothed tiger or poisonous berries) was more important in evolutionary terms than attraction to stuff that looked or felt nice (a pretty sunset or comfortable motorbike seat).

As far as I can tell, the world is not coming to an end, and probably much will be different ten years from now. Within my short lifespan, China has opened and then temporarily closed again, as have other places you could name, while vast areas once off-limits have become accessible and remain so--Mozambique, say, or Angola, the former Yugoslavia (depending on where your timeline starts), most of SE Asia. On the other hand, most of us probably missed out on the years during which the trans-Sahara routes through Algeria, Nigeria and Mali were practical, and I doubt they're coming back anytime soon. A few may have done the full overland route through Afghanistan et al during the seventies, but anyone who missed that chance may never get a second chance. I--or you--could go on and on.

In ten years we might look back at a brief interlude during which we could travel freely in Russia, or we might see the reverse--a period of upheaval which interrupted a long stretch of great freedoms for those of us favored by accidents of birth. That's you and I, in case it's not clear.

I'd guess travel through Russia will again be possible within your ten year window, though whether it gets easier or more difficult than it was a couple of years back is an open question. I'm pretty certain alternatives will open (and close) periodically, even for people with US and UK passports. And none of us had any realistic hope of going everywhere and doing everything regardless of geopolitics and surprise pandemics.

The above represents a bit of my current attempt to come to grips with the approaching end of my ability to travel rough and adventurously--age-related, mainly. If you think you're catching a faint whiff of defensive self-justification....well....you're right.

Mark

Nice summary. And as you said - the list, possibilities and possible scenarios could be extended indefinitely.

@*Touring Ted* If you want to visit central Asia it will probably become accessible again later this year. I've heard news that Turkmenistan allegedly will start allowing transit again and maybe Azerbaijan will open up again in September as announced.

As for Russia - it seems that you could still visit now, if you wanted? I met a USA passport holder who entered Russia from Georgia just last week and if I interprete his Instagram correctly he's having a good time riding to Vladivostok right now.

Cheers,
Benjamin

Are Brits specifically banned from entering Russia?

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.

If you think not being able to ride your motorcycle in Russia is 'gloomy', just imagine what it's like for Ukrainians.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

I don't think there is any doubt in anyone's mind how awful the situation is for Ukrainians. Or indeed anyone who faces the sharp side of any conflict.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Apologies if my comment was harsh....

About five years ago, one of my coworkers and I were complaining at length about some annoying changes in our workplace. After a long pause, he then said flippantly, "Oh well, it could be a lot worse - at least we're not in a war zone!"

I've caught myself thinking it a lot lately; whenever something doesn't go to my liking, I stop and remind myself that my life could be far, far worse than it is. I have it pretty easy compared to most of the people in this world.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Isn`t it generally a luxury problem to complain about not beeing able to travel through a certain country?

When I read this the thread, I remembered this website:

https://www.passportindex.org/?

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Of course it's a luxury.

But when was the last time you went on hunger strike because a child starved in Africa ?

I'm going to guess never. And neither have I.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

It is a guilty thought, but we are human.

I can relate with wishing I did a Russia trip 5 years ago also.

Hopefully Russia gets an overhaul in their government soon. The sham of a democracy that they were leapfrogged into was one of the many failures of the Reagan/ Thatcher governments.

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http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Having travelled in politically 'enemy' countries like Iran (on a UK passport), or countries where the UK has forces in active combat such as Afghanistan, and from many years of travelling all over Russia and the Former USSR, I really don't think you have anything to worry about from the people in general.

If you are talking about the Russian authorities, they have never much welcomed tourists and that's one of the major attractions in Russia in my opinion. It's sufficiently 'difficult' (i.e. no Ryanair flight and visa free entry) to keep the trash of mass tourism out. Maybe I've missed something specific to UK passport holders, but I believe the visa issuing process goes on as usual. That seems to be the case for EU-Schengen nationals at least.

A very credible member of this forum has posted that Russian land borders are now open.

Perhaps the question is one of making the effort to visit, rather than finding reasons not to?

EO

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.

So here's one to ponder for UK passport holders:
If the two Brits facing execution in the Donbass are actually executed, would you go?

My question was very much about the authorities. Getting a Russian 'Business visa' was pretty much the only option for people who wanted long term multiple entry visas. Which are needed if you want to ride all the way east. And pre-conflict, it was already difficult.


I agree. People are people. Wherever you go in the World.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.