Sibirsky Extreme

Its Siberia dude! ... the motocross riders here are hardcore ... I was at a motocross track in Mirny, did a few laps myself and then lent my bike to a proper local motocross rider. So thats him on my bike

Epic, legendary, ancient... whatever this RR is, it should be written into the history books. Best photography I've seen outside the professional areas.

Thank you ... I am still on the road so my photo editing now is super basic ... there is not much you can do with a 10 inch screen and an eee, but I will edit my pics properly on photoshop when I get back and put some larger pics up here.

Been following your blog, and this RR.
Truly magnificent stuff, I hope to do a tour of eastern Russia and Mongolia myself in a few years, and perhaps combine it with a drive down towards Tibet and India.

Just a quick question; Does one manage ok with just english and (very) weak russian or do you need skills in other languages to fully enjoy a adventure like this one?

Ride safe and keep feeding us, I bet I talk for all of us when I say we`re loving it :)

A bit of Russian language goes a hell of a long way. People who dont speak any often report the locals being frosty. I find them the complete opposite. I dont know if its because the language breaks the ice or what.

Certainly Russian is the language to get up to speed with. It doesn't go as far as it used to in Mongolia, but will still get you through all the stans with no problem. I was a bit clueless in Mongolia to be honest. Most Mongolians dont speak english, and only the educated older ones speak russian. English is gaining a lot tho , especially with the young.

What a great RR. those pictures are awesome, i wish i could make one day a trip like that!....... keep it comming !!!!


P.S. wich bmw is your bike? i dont recognize it! and where did you bought all that rally stuff (headlight, tank, etc etc) and those inverted forks are from what?

best of luck on the road buddy.
the whole concept you are doing is beyond the definition of word "perfect" for me.
hope the day I set myself off for a similar trip is close.

Your pictures are fantastic. The more I see of that part of the world, my desire to make a similar trip increase!!! Your pictures of the people very cool. Recently on Net Geo there was a very good program titled "The Family Tree". It was a trace on the human race genetic roots and the path of human migration. If you have not seen it, you must when you get a chance. It will give your travels a whole other perspective that I think you will enjoy.

Cheers!!

Fantastic. Where are you now, and do you have any big milestone coming up? I mean, like, staying for a week at some special location?

Sibirsky equipment and then click the Prep blog button

don't have an adjective to describe my feelings after reading this but THANKS for sharing. it is a fantastic report.

Perfect pictures, thanks!
You have a great looking bike, I love the lights.
Keep posting

Its a BMW G650 X-challenge. Front forks are stock units, with thicker fork oil and Hyperpro progressive springs

In Almaty Kazakhstan now ... but its getting cold. I need to get back to Europe ASAP ! .... will go via Poland and Holland.

Simply STUNNING!

right ... its fu@king cold now and I am stuck in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Its -11 outside and tonight its forecast to get down to -18. There is snow and ice all over the road and the towns roads are a mess with accidents from this first ice of the season.

Do I
(a) sit it out and hope for warmer weather? (its forecast to get 2 degrees above freezing for a few hours in 4 days time)
(b) try and fly the bike home?
(c) Keep trying other options? have tried train (they want 30 days to get the bike to Moscow) and tried hitching rides on trucks headed for Europe. So far nothing positive has come up.
(d) get a customs extension, leave the bike here over winter and come and get it in Spring?
(e) none of the above - discuss

From my limited knowledge of the area and non existant knowledge of the people there, I'd go with (c) and try to catch a ride with a truck.

I'm guessing (e) getting studded tires, lots of clothing and pushing on is out of the question? Maybe go south and explore Pakistan or India? It should be warmer down there :)

Wait, where's the "(e) staying put, becoming a kazak, tracking live animals and living off of the flesh of bears and becoming one with nature"-option?

Anyhow, I wish I could help in some way, but can't really figure it out.

F or C?

I'd bet my dog it's C.