This point was raised before, perhaps it would be more efficient to split the group in two? Even with last minute drop outs/add ons, we're looking at a group of atleast 10 bikes - that's a sizeable convoy. I think i read somewhere that any given stop, at a minumum, is 15min + 5 min per bike, so that's 75min per stop.

Kim, you reported that the price doesnt decrease after 4 persons/bikes, but does the price increase if a second group is created? Any indication if NAVO has the capacity to support a second group?

As an expression of interest, if the price remains the same, would anyone be interested in splitting the group? I don't mind becoming the POC. I intend on spending a few weeks hiking in nepal, perhaps if there are any other keen hikers we can band together (everest base camp anyone?)?

Hi Kim,

All looks great. Myself and Nat are in (one bike / one rider).

Thanks for your work to date, and let me know if there's anything I can do.

Cheers, Taylor.

K3nny, I'm not a keen hiker but I'm keen to hike in Nepal, have done previous treks in the Himalayas. Everest base camp, isn't it possible to ride there now?

For a break away group are you suggesting a different date or two groups same day?

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Heading East - Destination Unknown
http://www.pachamoto.co.uk

Hi K3nny

As I have said before I agree that the group is getting a bit large, if you were able to arrange a parallel group that would take some of the pressure off.

My main concerns are as you say stopping time, the increased likelihood of punctures and brake downs and more people held up each time this happens. It might also restrict our accommodation options if we need to find somewhere that can sleep 15.

As LosJuajos says, are you thinking of the two groups leaving on the same day or a few days apart? One thing to consider will be the time it will take to get 10+ bikes with carnets through customs and then get them all registered the following day.

I will PM you about costs I have discussed with NAVO

You mention tracking in Nepal, are you planing on riding straight through Pakistan and India to Nepal or taking your time?

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The Art of Misadventure
http://www.theartofmisadventure.com

Hi guys

I know the group is getting big and the other points already made.

I'm good for the first group or another group a few days behind ?

Cheers, Andrew

Time to update the interest list

Early September Groups

Confirmed 11 People / 10 Bikes
Kim
Sinky57
Philip (Sinky57's mate)
taylor-chapman with Natalie (1 Bike)
Benmac
Losjuajos
k3nny
drewafrica
BSA Bob
martintheclark

Interested
Frank (inti)
Petra (With Frank)


TBC
Mike
Mike's Dad

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The Art of Misadventure
http://www.theartofmisadventure.com

Martintheclark welcome to India. Give me a shout we can meet up. Am in India. All bikers are welcome

All bikers are welcome to india. Can host all of you for a few days. Any logistics in india can help too. All the best. Do give me a shout.

Kim

I'm getting set to go. How do I get promoted to confirmed status?

thanks for sorting this!

M

Hi all,

checking with Kim to see if creating a second group is going to cost more and if NAVO can support it, but i think this is something that needs to be seriously considered.

A stagger of anything less than a whole day behind the first group negates the benefit of splitting the group in the first place imo. To arrive at the traffic admin office in Kashgar on a weekday iaw the itinerary Kim provided, a second group would depart on sunday 06Sep, maybe call it mon 07sep. first group can relay info back.

So possible things to think about for potentially splitting the group:
- who really wants to depart on the 3rd
- people that already know each other obviously stick together
- do we have more than 1 truck/4wd in the group? maybe one in each group?
- commonality in bikes
- commonality in likes/dislikes and surrounding itinerary

i myself am travelling el cheapo style, so wild/camping where poss, cooking vs eating out, won't be drinking much, non-smoker. Prefer towns and country vs cities and urbanity, hiking. transalp 600, about 250-280km safe range, loaded-up cruising speed ~80kph, paper maps vs gps, intermediate mechanical experience, very basic off-roading experience. i wont be dawdling around in northern pakistan, but maybe some riding in the himalayas in india if there are nice routes. primarily i will do my hiking and exploring in nepal.

i do have a very rough itinerary, by countries, that i can't seem to upload on here for some reason but willing to share by email. i'd be curious to see other peoples itinerarys and how they are tackling the visa gauntlet.

p.s. i would imagine that riding up to basecamp would upset sir edmund hilary very much

Hi all,
I have been asking some people that I know in Pakistan, India and Nepal about the tour through China. The people in Pakistan recon that September is a little too late to do the KKH and suggested that a month earlier would be better. Crossing through China in September would get us to India/Nepal around October. The mountain roads in the north will then probably all be closed.
As there are too many bikes for one group anyway, I wonder if anyone is interested to go earlier, around July/August


Kind Regards

Mike
Mike's dad (aka Aad)

I think Frank (inti) and Petra originally wanted to do it in July/August?

From my reading the best times are
KKH: May to November
North India: October - December (Monsoons until late September)
Nepal: October-November

My plan was
September: China / Pakistan
October: North India
November: Nepal
December: Central India

However this is just from reading forums and looking at historical weather data, I have not spoken to anyone actually living along the KKH

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The Art of Misadventure
http://www.theartofmisadventure.com

K3nny, like your travel style, we do the same thing (camping, cooking, non-drinker, non-smoker and nature over city). We have an XT660R and a Bonneville T100, same cruising speed too :-)
We like to spend more time in Pakistan but perhaps we could travel together through China at least? What date do you prefer?

Hello all,

we would be glad to travel a week befor the 2.Sep. 2015. More like 20. August. Is there anybody out there who would like to do the transitin that time?

Frank
Petra

But also we can not go later then 2. Sep as we are allready late in our plan. But just one question. Is it possible to split, in case there are no more people for the August transit, the 2.Sep group in 2 groups and ride the same day? Just with two groups?