Next year, 2013, I will attend the HUBB UK meeting (where I will give a photography workshop - so if you haven't subscribed yet to attend the HUBB UK do it NOW!).


So I will leave Belgium go to the UK and from thereon leave for a 4 months journey to Ukraine, Caucasus, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, all the stans inculding Afghanistan but except Pakistan, the Pamir of course and then Mongolia, coming back via Lake Baikal and since I also want to do the Trans Siberian train, I would like to put the bike on a train from Irkutst to Moscow and ride from Moscow back into the EU. This is the general idea, (small) changes are possible.

Timing: JUNE-JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2013, if necessary I can add another month to that so october is reserve. I figure out that the total distance would be something around 30.000km. I won't be going in a "straight as fast a possible" line.

Bike: DRZ400E... ;-) So if you are on anything <600cc would be fine I guess.

Looking for: Someone or more than one to share this journey or a part of it. Someone who doesn't overload his bike, since the plan is to do a lot of gravelroads and worse = more fun. Try to travel cheap without being a cheap ass bastard... Tent/Couchsurfing/Hostels are my kind of thing, if I really must a hotel now and then. Someone that is prepared but not over prepared, preference a bit of off road skills... geeez... this looks almost like a list or requirements; it isn't! Don't let it scare you! Just come along and we'll have fun for sure!

What I offer: Well... my priceless company...?!... Experience of previous travels, good quality pictures and vids... A helping hand (or two) if you drop your bike in a river Xing...

Requirements: Well only for Iran we'll need a CDP so everything else is pretty straightforward, except visas maybe depending on your nationality... For Russia you'll need a 3 entry visa = business/multi entry visa. Everything is doable and arrangeable before I leave or on the way...

So, if this sounds something like fun to you and you have the time or similar plans, please get in touch...

Seb

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Hi Seb
I'll see you at the UK HU meet and maybe on the road: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...r-2013-a-66486

Good luck with your trip. I have a vague recollection meeting you in 2007 in Merzouga/ Moroc. You were riding with a Brit bloke? I was on a DRZ. If that wasn't you, sorry

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Yeah, I saw your post and I was thinking it would definitely be possible to meet there... I think I should be end of august in UB area... that's the general idea in any case. I was going to try to contact you then if I am in the same timeperiod as you, but before would be better, sms will work faster and better than internet, if we can find any...

Unfortunately it wasn't me that you met, I'm sure that I am even nicer than the other guy you met... hahahaha...

Ok, would be great to see eachother at the meeting! Grey GSA with Belgian plates and a lot of stickers on the panniers, shouldn't be too much of them (I hope...) so that will make things a bit easier to find eachother!

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Hi Seb, I am planning to travel to Australia in 2013 on my Africa Twin. As originally i was planning to travel alone i was going to go through Russia, Mongolai, then to Japan and ship the bike to Oz from there as i thought this would be the safest trip. However if i can find someone to go with i would prefer something similar to the route you are doing. But isn't Iraq / Afghanistan a bit of a risky route? I was thinking Iran and then Pakistan. I've attached a link below to some info regarding my bike preparation. I am looking to go light and like the sound of your trip. Cheers, Adam

RD04- Adventure Spec Preparation - Page 6

Hi Adam; one of the best quotes to answer your question:
‘Security is a product of one’s own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.’
Statistically you'll have 10.000times more chances to get killed in a bike accident than to get shot or decapitated by some terrorist in Iraq or Afghanistan....

No seriously, I am not too worried, as the route I've chosen is ok, the northern part of Iraq is under control of the Kurdish police forces and I know it is ok to go there (from fellow bikers and from the foreign ministry here in Belgium). Same goes for Afghanistan, don't go to the south and southeast near Pakistan, those are the problem areas and I'm not going there, I'll go from west to Northeast.

I don't want to do Pakistan as of all the reports I am reading you always get these escorts which are more a pain in the ass than fun, and they want you to get as soon as possible from Iran into India... not my cup of tea.

One thing I've learnt when traveling with other motorcycles, it's not because you start together that you need to finish together. Maybe people have different interests, needs, traveling speed and so on. So we could perfectly start together or do a part together and see from there on. If you are not comfortable going to Iraq or Afgh. there are "safer" routes and we can join together again after a few days/weeks... that's my opinion in any case.

So depending on how fast you want to be in Oz, you'll have definitely more fun and better memories after that if you take it into the stans instead of 'quickly' from Iran through Paki into India and then shipping.... just my two cents...

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Hi Seb,

Sounds like a nice idea! I have this recurring itch and its getting stronger again and I know what the end result is! Quit the job and go travelling. I am not used to bike travelling though, bought my first AT earlier this year, drove it 7K km last season and did a couple of off road and enduro trainings. Am preparing the bike for the inevitable as well! Actually just thought about taking a couple of months off next year and just criss cross eur-asia when I read your thread. Mongolia sounds even better! I do have a lot of travelling experience but mainly 4x4. I will keep an eye on your thread and hook on if the feeling remains or gets stronger!
Cheers,
Noel
www.toyotaoffthemap.blogspot.com

Hey Seb,

I'm heading the same direction next year (leaving from Belgium mid of may 2013)...first part to Albania, than Georgia and later Mongolia...and ofcourse back home :-)
So, if you're interested to hook up somewhere for a drink or to do a part together, just give me a sign hé :-)

greetz, Erik

ps: I included a small map with my general (still not completely fixed) idea :-)
pps: I'm travelling with my girlfriend (who speaks russian btw :-) and on a TDM850. I'm a low-budget traveller, my off-road skills are not so extreme...and I prefer vodka over any other alcohol :-)

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Hi Erik,

How long will you be on your way, as my route is a lot different than yours, so if we want to have a I think UB or on the way back will be the best option... but I'll pm you about this!

So my route planning is more looking like this at this moment.

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