Hi,

I'm tentatively looking for a travelling mate for a trip I'm just starting to plan out right now.
The rough plan is to travel to Europe (in my case to Hungary) from Australia and take a year off doing it.

Map

Australia (August-October 2011):
- leave Sydney during August 2011, work my way up on the East coast to Cairns, mix of dirt and tar in about 2 weeks
- couple of days looking at backpackers and the Reef, drinking
- join a trip up to Cape York, about 2 weeks round trip
- some more relaxing action and bike maintenance back down in Cairns
- head across the Sandover Hway to the Rock
- up the Tanami Track to Halls Creek
- Gibbs River road to Darwin
- 2 weeks of Darwin, sorting out bike and shipping

SouthEast Asia (November-January 2012):
- ship to Dili or somewhere in Indonesia
- work my way up north through the islands of Indonesia and Malaysia
- Thailand-Laos-Cambodia, looking into Vietnam
- fly out from Bangkok to Kathmandu

Nepal-India (February - April 2012):
- Nepal for a month
- a lap of India, then into Pakistan

Stans - Russia-Ukraine...etc ( May 2012 - August 2012):
- will look into Mongolia as well

It's a pretty vague plan at the moment, but once I came back from another trip at the end of September, I will start working on it.

Obviously, if someone else gets involved, I'm open for any change, except the starting date (which is set by the end of my contract and the nature of the route).

About myself: I'm in my early 30's, a pretty laid back guy with a Hungarian origin, I was living in OZ for 2 years now and been discovering a lot of it already. I did a few 5000km+ trips so far traveling solo (in Oz and NZ), mix of tar and offroad, and some more serious dirt stuff on weekenders. That said, I'm not a dirt racer, rather go far slow, than nowhere fast.

About the bike, gear..etc: it will be a DR with the usual mods and some more preparation to make sure it survives the roughly 40-50.000km this trip involves. I got most of the equipment necessary already and in good order.

The reason I'm looking for a mate is that because it's more fun that way.
Anyways, give a sign of life if this sounds good enough

Cheers,

Andras
andras-ikladi.com

Hey Andras, Sounds like a great trip you are thinking about. Very similar to what I have been dreaming of lately. I'm a tad impatient so was planning on leaving early 2011, but haven't done too much indepth research (that's what I'm doing now!). I'll keep an eye on your posts and if my ETD gets later - as it may well - I'll keep in touch as I'm not sure if my friend can come with me. I would start from Tassie and go up the east coast. Another option is to hop to NZ first, but that might be a trip for when I can't travel too far from home! Anyway, I'll get a move on and you may just have a buddy for the trip!
Good luck with everything!

Hi Alyssa,

Welcome halfway on board! Next month (once I'm back) I will set up a site with details of the route and other aspects of planning so that you and possibly others can follow and get a bit more insight to decide easier.

cheers,
Andras

Hey man ,
I rode most of this ride 3 years ago an had a fantastic trip. I wish I could do it again but I've another big one planned for next year. If you need any info, just email. I kept a blog if you want to check out my route.

halfwayround

__________________
Ride on
Kev

I'll read through, thanks Kev!

Hi Ikladi,

I left Oz in early April and still on the road heading West, and just made Europe 2 weeks ago and I'm not flying home until late November.

My suggestion is plan well beforehand - mine took 18 months to sort - then do-it, it's been fantastic..

I keep a journal you are welcome to a copy, just send a PM with your address.

Cheers n ride-safe.
Bergrider.

hey,

i'm interested in somethin like a round trip. I currently have a bike in Cambodia (been livin and workin there past 3.5 years). I've been ridin extensively round Cambodia and Laos and would luv to do somethin like China, Pakistan, Iran (maybe Turkey), other Stans, back to China, Mongolia, back to Laos/Cambodia....but could be talked into somethin else. Possible want to leave round March/April tho.

cheers,
regie (it aint my real name)

Hi, Could meet you in Ukraine or Caucases/Georgia. I wont go to Asia.