Kazakhstan (Altai/Tuva) OSM Project 2012

Better late than never

I finally found time to look at my track files and do some 'smoothing' to remove stops, backtracking etc etc and also removing the specific location for people who offered me accommodation.

These, it their .gpx form, are located here and are available for anyone for download. They are not completely linked as I forgot to enable tracking on a few occasions, but are still useful, especially when viewed in conjunction with the blog entries. I have not posted anything further west than Poland as I don't think anyone would be interested.

My next job is to update OSM with my POI's for shops, accommodation, fuel etc..... That will take a few weeks as I am having to recreate them from the RAW trace files after my Montana decided to do a reset. btw, this was caused by my own impatience at the time and has nothing to do with any fault of the Montana. I will post the list when completed.

Terrific RR, MikeCBRXX,....... thanks<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_19394360", true); </SCRIPT>

POI's have now been added to the link in post 61. Google spreadsheet and the references are from Google.

You will notice that they do not always land on roads etc in Google however. If you look at satellite view, its more obvious as map view is not that accurate.-

Cool RR, thanks
Did you skip Tuva and the Altai?

Yep. Totally underestimated the time needed and I always planned to ride all the way back to the Netherlands.

Next time.....2014. Just started to prepare another X country for my wife who will join me next trip.

Mike

Ah, too bad! Had you gotten a permit from the Altai Republic or were you going to just give it a try at the border?

The x-country looks sweet! Will your wife's bike have the same mods?

Looking forward to the next RR with you and your Missus then

Aleksey from Vladivostok on the Africa Twin was one of the two Russians I bumped into in Ulaangom in Mongolia ... on this post...

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20375170&postcount=2055

Such a small world - stayed at the Sarayshik hotel also get place in Almaty's summer heat and we Aleksey also, I just can remember where, Bikefest on Lake Baikal I think, but it may have been Barnaul. Looks you came through not long after we did (before Vikkor broke his arm).


Great RR - I wish I had of done some of the side trips you did.

No, I had not gotten any permits. By the time I realised i needed any (Kazakhstan), it was too late.

For the Kazakh border regions and Kazakh Altai, it may be possible to get permits through specialist tour organizations. However, these days, you are supposed to be accompanied by a Kazakh national. I know Walter has traveled in the border region though I am not sure if he had permit's or just took the chance.

While on the subject of permits, Baikanur Village (as in the cosmodrome) is a special case as its considered part of Russia. Its possible to fly into Baikanur, from Russia, without ever 'crossing' the Kazakhstan border. I'm believe that its possible to get permits to visit the village from Kazakhstan, but usually as part of a tour group. I have no idea whether its possible to get an individual permit. Maybe someone else know?

Walter told me that permits for the Russian Border regions between M52 and Tuva can be obtained, while traveling, in Aktash or Kosh-Agach. I forget which...its an age thing. Maybe Walter can confirm

As for mods on my wife's XC....it will be individual to her. Obviously many of the parts will be the same but it will remain looking more like a Country than a Challenge. She is much shorter than me, and I'm short.... so we will be very limited on some mods. i.e., she will remain on 19/17 inch wheels and we will have to work out the suspension around that. We'll see what happens. I have already started taking photos of the mods we have already made and, as the bike evolves and takes shape, I will post them somewhere.

He was on his own when I met him...... with no mention of another rider.

He left the day before me on a ride to Lake Baikal and some biker party there.

need a hand with that?
it is freezing in my garage and i need to do some painting...(waiting that means)

Hiya Berthus.... I know the feeling! I have numerous jobs waiting but its too damn cold. I wish I still had by big gas heater.

Its about time we got together for a few beers and, maybe, discussing 2013/4! Nick, from this years trip, is looking at BAM etc for 2014.... maybe we can plan something together?

Do you ever get down this way or do we wait for better weather and meet somewhere in the middle?

btw, when you crossed into Siberia in 2012 on the crossing near Oskeman, you said you were going to try the other road to the border...rather than the one I took. What was the condition and did you take any photos?

Still pretty sure its him.

One of the two Russian guys had his wife waiting for him in Kosh Agach ... as soon as he crossed the border he was planning to leave the other guy and spend time with his wife.

I thought it was pretty cool devotion from his wife to be waiting for him at the exit point from Mongolia !

The biker party at baikal just got a mention in my own thread. We were looking for it too !

i'm not sure if i want to do the bam. I've been reading the RR of Rob en Dafne de Jong and they couldn't finish while following the track of Walter this summer. They returned by train.

I picked up a car that runs 50mpg, I'll head west next month if you pm me a date.

I didn't do that crossing..I missed a turnoff at some roundabout and ended up way further west and in some really soft sand. And with a limited water supply under the burning sun... one of the heaviest days
So i ended up crossing the border with all the mongolia rally guys

Probably it was. There can't be that many riders from Vladivostok on Africa Twin's with the adapted oiler. just coming out of Mongolia around that time

How about coming on 21st Feb (Thursday) in the evening. Its MOTORBeurs Utrecht that weekend and I am taking 22nd off to go to the show. You can stay at my place for a couple nights if you want to....plenty of room.

Sounds like a plan. I'll put it in my agenda.
I wanted to go too Utrecht anyway

Are you still on the road? Do you have your own report running ?

Yep in Mexico at the moment. I am a bit lazy with the RR, I need to go back to Aus for a couple and plan update it then.

mikecbrxx, trip!

Also, sorry to hear about the mishap of the sprocket-tank meeting...

Was it 47 teeth? What caused such severe bottoming (i see hyperpro at the back)? Is your X-tank of the newer design with the recessed base above the sprocket?

I could go on forever, please - more details, and pics!