Turkey -> Caucases -> Stans (happening now)
 

Hi all,

I've just arrived in Istanbul, and will soon start heading east (plan to get to Georgia around the first week of July, where a friend will meet me). I'd love to have a buddy for part/all of the ride until then, and you'd be welcome to join us if we jive. I'm a very laid back rider with no set itinerary. I like a mixture of pavement and dirt. Lemme know if you're interested!

From what I am figuring out getting to stans ffrom Caucasus could be complicated. Azerbaijan is still closed for land x-ings and russia require an invitation, fwiw.

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Yeah that's definitely the case for now, but I've heard talk about Azerbaijan opening up soon. It will be roughly 2 months before I get there, so I'm hoping and feel fairly confident that things will be open by then. Definitely not going through Russia!

Hi GloboMoto,
I lost my travel mate due to a crash two weeks ago, so had to return home and will recover the bike in next few days. But then starting alone towards Georgia, original plan was also to reach Stans/Pamir area. I've to be back home in Germany early September, so this is the only fix date.

Hi Kiesel,

I'm so sorry to hear that. Wishing them a speedy recovery.

Where will you be recovering the bike? If it's in Turkey or nearby, then things might line up!

Happened in Lithuania, mate is also back home since yesterday, six broken ribs and broken shoulder will need time. But I'll start end of next week heading southeast from Germany. Depending on Off-/Onroad mix I'll arrive Turkey end of June latest.

Oof, well I'm glad they'll live to consider riding another day. Sounds like I may be at the east end of Turkey as you are entering the west, but I'm sure or itineraries are bound to change so do let me know as you get near. What are you riding?

Hey
I am right now in Georgia and plan or hope to enter Azerbaijan from July to go to Pamir.
Not sure if it will be possible, but if, we could ride some parts together.

BR
Paul

Hey Paul,

Right on! Can't wait to make it to Georgia. Most likely that will be in early July, and therefore I'd be exiting perhaps towards around early August. If you're still stuck there then it would be great to join forces. Are there lots of bikers stuck in Georgia just waiting for Azerbaijan to open up?

Hi there!

I'm doing sort of the same thing on a F650GS Dakar, am currently in Niksar with another 700km or so to go till Georgia. Would be fun to meet some fellow travellers, not sure if and how it would combine, but let's get in touch. Also I already have a Visa for Azerbaijan and was planning to take the ferry from Azerbaijan (Alat) to Kazakhstan (Kuryk). Which is said to be notoriously shitty :-)

Hey oud1986! Are you planning to make a beeline from Niksar to Georgia, or take a more circuitous route? I am planning to hit the east end of the black sea before Georgia, but that wouldn't be for a couple weeks. I'm heading to Cappadocia over the next few days, then through Kurdistan, where I'd love to have a buddy if you feel like making a detour. I wanna take advantage of Kurdistan to get as close to the middle east as an American can. I'm also planning to take that ferry (end July/early August). Cheers!

Then I think our plans will not really be a good combination, I was in Kurdistan for some work related things before and not really interested in going again. I am very eager to make it till Kyrgyzstan, as I don't have all the time in the world I don't think I can sort of wait around. But let's see how nice the Caucasus is and maybe it delays me enough for a meet-up.

Sounds good - safe travels and perhaps we'll bump into each other along the way (particularly if the Azerbaijan border doesn't open for a while).

Hey Globomoto,

Isn't late to leave in early August for Central Asia and Pamir?
I planned to leave in beginning of July, probably it will be later now.
Have to organise some other things in Tbilisi. I didn't meet many riders in Georgia, because I am also not riding, but so far my feeling is that most people are not trying to go to Central Asia this year.

A few days ago I heard from a touring company that they could transport bikes to Aqtau. I don't know the price, though, or if there would be discount for more bikes. Just if Azerbajian stays closed, maybe it is one possible way.

BR
Paul

Hey Paul, I believe you're right that it's later than ideal, but on a trip of this length with COVID and Putin doing their thing, I figure there's no point planning much and I'll never be able to get the perfect timing - so might as well just go where the wind blows!

Where would the company ship the bikes from?

Shipping is from Tbilisi.

I think I won't make it to Pamir this year. Due to an injury I will stay at least 4-6 weeks in Tbilisi. :(

FWIW early June I met a german in Fairy Tail canyon in kyrgyzstan and he made it there on his GSA riding via Verkhny Lars. He did have a multi entry visa and invitation but otherwise it was a smooth sailing. Cards do not work so you have to account for that.

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/lates...-cr...uly-15/2629689

I went through Verkhniy Lars on 18th? without any issues, except for spending time to fill TIP paperwork 3 times (hint: bring blue pen black doesn't cut it). And long traffic jam on the border.

Now no western card will work in russia so you have to bring cash.

Hey Cyclopathic, that's awesome, congrats! Are you sticking around Russia or moving on to the stans? As an American I am just personally not comfortable trying to go through Russia right now, so I'm here in Tbilisi trying to get the bike into Azerbaijan.

I was en-route to central asia so was through in 2 days. Don't worry as an american you wouldn't have any issues; at least I didn't besides normal things like having to fill out my custom's paperwork 3 times. People are friendly at least most of them and weren't confrontational by any means. This was the second time I had crossed russia; first time in June on the way from KZ to Norway.

As for AZ they're closed 'till Sept 1st.

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