Hello folks,

I've skimmed through this post a few times now, but not found the time to compose any kind of post to add to it.
Anyway, here I am. Not another Dave I'm afraid

Just a quick background about me. Probably more self indulgent than required, but ho hum.

My name's Gabriel (Gabe), and I'm leaving on my (hopefully) RTW trip in 11 days from now (Sunday 22nd March).
I'm 26, jacking in my job as a Design Engineer. I've been saving and planning for 2.5 years. Mostly saving, the planning has taken place only over the last couple of months really.
I imported myself a 2008 Honda XR650L from America (I'm English, in England), and modified it for the trip. I favour off-road riding.

I'm now just about ready, bike just needs final touches. I made myself some panniers and a pannier frame, and all kinds of other bits for the bike.
I'm due to pick up my completed 6 month, multi-entry Russian visa, and 1 month Mongolian Visa, tomorrow. I have two passports (straight forward, or was for me at least), and a one way ferry ticket to France.

I may be able to help people out with up-to-date border/ferry/country info, as I seem to be leaving before most others. Let me know if there's anything I can help you with.

The last month in particular have been absolutely crazy, the amount of work I've had to do, paperwork, visas, and mentally coming to terms with what I'm embarking on. I'm sure you all know exactly what I mean.

My email is baronbolton {at} h0tmail . c0m.
Website when finished will be www.GABE-RTW.co.uk

I'm having a bit of a leaving gathering, local pub, few pints. Local landlord has agreed I can have the bike in the pub for the night :-)
If anyone's interested, please do come along;

The Sherston Inn, Wells, Somerset. Friday March 20th, about 7pm onwards.

This is my best bet at the first part of my itinerary.
Please don't scrutinise this too much, really just a VERY VAGUE outline of what I might try and do, maybe.
I look forward to meeting some of you on the road, best of luck everyone.

Hi Gabe,

That sounds fantastic! I'm somewhat jealous that it's taken me 10 years longer than you to be ready to do this sort of trip. I will be eagerly watching your website for progress reports.

Very best of luck to you!


PS how did you get 2 passports? I got a straightforward "you must be joking"....

It really was very easy. I wrote a letter, that I'll post on my site when I get to finishing that, and printed out a list of countries that I'm planning to visit (showing the in-compatible countries; Israel and Syria), and a week later the passport came through. 48 Page as well, £80 I think.

If you need any info on anything please email me or PM through HU.

Cheers
Gabe

I got a second passport after the company I contract through wrote a supporting letter saying that I may have to travel abroad. I then explained that I had to apply for visas and a 2nd passport was issued the same week.

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Ollie

www.jollyfollies.com

Land's End to Sydney 2009

Myself and Dave (Darbya) are leaving mid April, travelling to Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the 'Stans and Mongolia to Vladivostok (arriving end of July) then heading to the Americas via South Korea. Both travelling on Yamaha XTs.

We've also both managed to get second passports, following the advice in this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/trip-paperwork/getting-second-british-passport-my-33725

David

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RTW blog: www.davidwlowe.com

What plans do you have for getting to USA from Korea? Wendy Choi?

Probably. I've sent an email but so far not had a reply. Can you PM me her email address to make sure I've got the right one?

Thanks

David

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RTW blog: www.davidwlowe.com