Hi Guys,

The name is Scarecrow57 (aka Carole) from the name you should take it that I am female, I am 51 years old (going on 15!!!)......I am a slightly eccentric divorced ex farmer, currently living in North Yorkshire..........Oh my God, from my introduction this is beginning to sound like I am looking for a partner................ no, this is not correct at all, but I do need your help guys

Why do I need your help, well, for the last 2 months I have been planning an overland roadtrip to Mongolia and China in aid of three charities (Cancer Research, Womens Rural Refuge Retreat, and the brain injury charity Headway Teesside)......in the last 2 months I have raised over £3000 cash towards the trip but I would much prefer to donate these cash monies direct to the three charities and as a challenge get all the equipment required for the roadtrip donated.............and this is where you may be able to help.........'cause I have decided that I what I would like to do is this 365 day roadtrip on a quad bike.........yes, you did read that correctly........a quad bike!!!.......(I warned you I was 51 going on 15!!!)

So basically guys I am in desperate need of your help and your sound advice..........

I need a route? ( I am thinking France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belurus, Ukraine, bottom end of Russia, Kazahstan, back into Russia then into Mongolia via the North.......)

What route did you take when you did it?

A few details of the trip so far.............all equipment is being donated or sponsored..............in each region/country I will be donating a weeks volunteering work to a like minded charity to those that we are supporting back here in the UK............the aim is to raise at least £33000 ( but I am sure we would not complain if it was in excess of that figure!!!)........

I am in the process of setting up a website for all those that are or will be involved to keep a track of the trip...........(as I have published before it makes common sense to obviously write a book of the whole adventure upon my return)...................the set off date is mid November 2009..............and it goes without saying that I would be honoured to do any promotion/press work for any company that is involved en route.

So guys can you please help in some way?......... all advice, donations, sponsorship, etc would make this roadtrip for all those involved something to be really proud of...........

Warmest regards

Carole Howard
(Scarecrow57)

Let me be the first to wish you the best of luck.
I live just down the road near beverly. so if I can help with anything give me a shout.
Wish I was in a possition to do somthing similar.
Good on ya.

Hi, I am not too sure of my geography north of Watford I dont know if Dent is near to you but try and get to the 'wildcamp' meet that 'dazzerrtw' is organising, there will be a good few helpful people there.

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

Hi,

Yes I could do with a wee bit of help.........are you any good at planning a route?

Scarecrow57

As soon as you've got a rough route double check the legality/special requirements of temporarily importing and running a quad on the roads in those countries. Can't see any problems but worth checking first.

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Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

When I was planning the now aborted buggy trip to China, I found out a bit about driving quands on the roads. All across the European Community it was no problem if your quad was road legal and registered in the country of origin. Quads are classed as "Heavy Quadricycles" under EC law and as long as they fit within the legal definitions, one of which is no more than 20hp output, you can ride them.

When you leave Europe it all gets a bit hazy. A lot of the former Soviet states are now hoping to enter the EU and so have begun harmonizing their laws in readiness, so the regulations might be changing as we speak. Russia seems to allow quads and Mongolia seems to allow anything, but finding out is almost impossible.

The next question is insurance, have you checked to see if any insurer will cover you? I found it really difficult to find an insurer that would let me spend more than a few weeks out of my country of registration, but if you search here for "Quads Across Africa" they might be able to tell you more.

Do you have any ideas of the make of Quad you're after? As a lot of your route will probably be on the road it make sense to get one with a differential to avoid excessive tyre wear. I only know of the Polaris range that have a locking diff, they call it turf mode. I did get in contact with them and they do seem interested (or did before the crash hit), in supporting users in adventures, I rang them direct in the US and spoke to the marketing director and she put me in touch with local marketing. That said the downside to a US marque is US fuel consumption (they drink petrol). There are diesels around, but they tend to be slow, but if you're giving yourself a year that's probably not an issue.

And finally (I left the worst till last) China. A quick search on here will reveal the nightmare that is China. First there's the whole registration thing, then the expense of a guide, and as you're considering a quad your guide will need their own transport, pillion is almost certainly out. I got a quote of $6000 and that was for a direct dash from the Mongolian border to Beijing, I think it was six days!!

But having thrown a bag of spanners in the works I'll say good luck, I'm sure it's all possible, and please feel free to get in touch and I'll copy/send you all the stuff I researched.

Alex (a bit jealous)

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Hi Alex,

Sorry for the delay in my reply, but my coal-fired computer has been having a relationship with a 'Trojan' and they seem to have been 'mating' so much so that now their ofspring will not even let me start the bl**dy thing..........so I am on a borrowed laptop.....and I am going to let my old computer rest in peace and let it muliply the bl**dy Trojans in peace!!!

Anyway to more inportant things.......You are right about insurance. I am finding it impossible to find anyone who will insure me, but I am still working on it..........another problem is banking....my bank will not let stay out of the country for longer than 3 months otherwise they will close my account down.........evedentally it is something to do with fraud law......it is bl**dy ridiculous......I told them that I would inform them on a weekly basis as to where I am, but I am getting nowhere with them at all.........................any ideas??? surely all you guys that travel do not have the same problem............if you do how have you overcome this???

....as to which quad I am using..well, there are 3 that I am looking at, an Outlander 650 Max, a CCM LX600 and a Quadzilla 700 RS7....your opinion would be appreciated....

Please tell me more on the problems of China........

Did you have a route worked out?

What time of the year were you planning to go?

.and do I need a Carnet.....???

All your help and advice is greatly appreciated..............Thank you or Merci as I believe you are French....???

Warmest regards

Carole

Ps why have you abandoned your trip?

Hello Carole, It seem's your getting plenty of advise which is to be expected & valuable, but dont get too bogged down with details & structred planning, it will spoil the trip. I rode an 18 year old XT 600 25000 miles through Kazakstan, Mongolia, along the 'road of bones' up to Magadan, with out any real poblems, the roads were fine if a little challenging, particularly in Kazakstan & Siberia.Petrol is available pretty much everywhere even in ' outer Mongolia ' as many of the nomadic indiginous peoples have generators to run the satelite receivers, & the land cruisers ! Inner tubes were a problem as Russian rubber is very poor quality, tubless would be best as easily fixed in situ on the rim. 4 wheel drive not really needed if you look ahead & use your common sense & farmers experience. Shaft drive best, chains need quite a lot of maintainance. Insurance will be purchased at borders ( normally ) wether you want it or not, I paid $5 at the Mongolian border, for sure, not worth a wiggle ! Border crossings can be a real b***ard so be prepared to wait, dont get stroppy, it will slow you down even more. anything else ?, regards, john

Hi John,

Thanks for the info.......you are right about the planning.....I hate paperwork.and my only plan really is to get there....mind you I would be very interested to know the route that you took???

I have plenty of farming experience but I do intend to go see another guy I have spoken to on Quadbike forum > ATV Forums > Forums > Quad bike Forum > Quad Sales Forum > The Best UK Forum .he has very kindly offered me some of his time to show what to do when the quad refuses to rock and roll!!!

I should here back from a quad manufacturer on Friday this week as to wether they are going to sponsor me, so fingers crossed......

I have looking at wether I need a carnet and from what I can gather from the net is that I do not.....am I wrong.........???

Warmest regards

Scarecrow57

PS> I really would like to chat to someone who has done the route recently..so come on guys and gals.....please get in touch

Carole
I've only done biking in Europe and Thailand - nothing like what you're planning but it sounds quite a trip! At least you've arrived at the right site to get the information you need.
Best Wishes
Elaine

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Hi Carole,

I work in Atyrau so am here most of the time. I have done the route from Uk to here 3 times, the last being in September 2008 just to get the bike back to Europe but a bit on the quick side, 4 days! (Bike now back here but I did the sourthern route, Croatia, Turkey, Baku and ferry across to Aktau in June/July)
I have a spare appartment here which is available most of the time so if you need it and it is free you are more than welcome. Also have secure parking and know a few people if you need any repairs doing.
When you cross the border you can get a 6 month pass for your vehicle, they normally try to fob you off with 2 month but if you are persistant they will give you 6.
As you are taking a year to do this I assume you will not be in this neck of the woods until the spring at least, if you are planning on getting here any earlier be aware that the average temperature for Jan and Feb is around -20 so everyone drives on the thick ice that forms.
If you need any more help just drop me a line.
Mike

Hi Mike,

Thank you so much for the offer of accommodation....that would be absolutely fantastic....thank you very much...........as things progress I will keep you informed........

Have you done the more northern route? This is the route I favour more at the moment especially as a couple of guys from quads uk.net are thinking of coming along so far as maybe Germany but nothing is cast in stone as yet.

At the moment I am trying to research as to wether I need a 'carnet' or not............do you know the answer???

What sort of temperature would I expect to encounter in March? or April say?

Warmest regards

Carole