Sibirsky Extreme 2012 - The Toughest Ride of Them All

[Geriatrix]

Originally Posted by Colebatch

We left Zhan's feeling all was well with the world. Good friendly people who fed us and wished us well. We headed SSE along more double track:

About 30 km away (20 miles) I was leading the group and saw some strange lumps bulging up above a dried up lake bed. I rode over to investigate.

The lumps were dead cattle, bloating up in the morning sun:



The others arrived right behind me and we tried to take in this macabre scene:


Most of the cattle were just dead. No marks on them. Only a calf had been hollowed out and one other cow had flesh wounds. Three of them were untouched. They must have been killed / died overnight as the blood had not even dried out, and the bloating gas was coming out of the nostrils at a rapid rate that made it seem the dead cows were blowing their noses.

The culprits were clear to us ... wolves. Tracks were all around the opened up big c
.

I am reading this on Christmas Day 2012 ( Happy Christmas all ) and have not yet read further, so I do not know what other theories have been put forward.
First thanks for this great ride report.

( Page 77 ): The death of the cattle is typical of lightning strike, with several beasts dying close together and no obvious injuries. The wolves were just eating a convenient feast.

You were lucky not to be fried, rather than lucky not to be eaten by the wolves.
All riders should study lightning injury, both the causes and the treatments.

Arthur

[ChazW]

New to this RR. I can't wait to read more. Thanks for documenting this for those of us who can't make the trip.

[blues bob]

Best of the Best!! Thanks Soooo Much. Maybe the Beamster deserves a bit more praise. Doin the man's ride without a grumble or a sneer. Hoo--rah

[Packer]

Originally Posted by blues bob

Best of the Best!! Thanks Soooo Much. Maybe the Beamster deserves a bit more praise. Doin the man's ride without a grumble or a sneer. Hoo--rah

I don't mean to shoot you down, particularly on this date, but I feel that it's shame that a women being as capable as a man of riding a motorcycle is considered noteworthy. I believe that it is only the conditioning of society that stops most women from enjoying these types of activity. Rebellious women have been doing incredible things for longer than history records. Many would argue that women are better suited to adventure and extreme challenges, maybe why some societies try so hard to suppress them.

Obviously physical strength can be an issue without training and sadly for women they loose muscle bulk/strength far more quickly than men if it is not being used.

Cheers to the team, a big thank you one and all for your efforts and happy holday everyone.

P.S. That evening landscape picture is truly stunning, serried ranks of mountains in the background like waves on the ocean. They drag my eye from the foreground!

[Colebatch]

Originally Posted by 2WheelieADV

Amazing report!! This is a kind of trip any average rider would give up on many things to have, and a dream for most of us. However, it begs this question: have you ever had a weak moment when you asked yourself "why do I need to wake up and ride again...? I had enough and wana go home...I miss my loved ones... waking up in my warm bed without having to ride on end..."?? Just a thought.

Well I had a girl in Moscow, who I flew in to see every month or so. I had tickets booked to fly to Moscow in about a weeks time from now. It meant I was on a very strict schedule, stricter than the others.

[motoreiter]

When camping in the Altai for similar places, did you take any precautions about bears or other animals? Where did you store your food, etc? I heard somewhere that the bears in Russia are less dangerous to campers because they are less familar with human food (ie, food that humans bring camping) than bears in the US (and so are less attracted to campsites), but that sounds like wishful thinking to me.

[ullukk]

Merry Christmas to Walter, Terry, Rod, Prutser and Beamster. Thanks again for this brilliant ride report.

[tee bee]

I am afraid there were times when i really really wanted a good rest , a week at home would have been nice ,with some good wholesome food and a nice bed......,especially towards the end of the trip.

But as for riding my bike every day for 3mths,in fantastic surroundings.

[ROD CURRIE]

Originally Posted by tee bee

I am afraid there were times when i really really wanted a good rest , a week at home would have been nice ,with some good wholesome food and a nice bed......,especially towards the end of the trip.

But as for riding my bike every day for 3mths,in fantastic surroundings.

I probably won't put this very well but will have a go. IMHO much of one's mindset is weather and location driven. When you wake up on a beautiful morning in total silence apart from the birds, and open the tent flap to a knockout view ....how could you wish to be anywhere else, but when you've taken off soaking gear the night before having pitched in the rain and wind, and wake up in the rain to put on cold soaking boots yet again it'd take a better man than me to paint that smile on and not question my motives and choices.
But then when you find yourself riding towards that big blue patch and feel the first of that glorious warmth on your clothes. Man!...how good is that.
Maybe the contrast is what makes it great too....but all you guys know this. blah blah.

[ROD CURRIE]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

When camping in the Altai for similar places, did you take any precautions about bears or other animals? .

We waited til Terry was asleep then dragged him out well away from the tents, staked him down, painted some honey on his arse and put a Mars bar in his hand .

[ROD CURRIE]

[QUOTE=Prutser;20322160]On the evening of day 54 Terry turned on his cell phone and received a text message from Walter.
Telling us that Rod was on its way back and would be with us soon.

That was something we had been waiting for for almost a week now. Although we didn't knew if his bikes problems were solved, but lets think positive.....
It was still a bit early but the mosquitoes were eating us alive so we took refuge in our tents and crawled into our sleeping bags.

The next morning the view was AMAZING.



You're killing me again P. Another brilliant image.
I maybe missed the best of the trip.
Nothing else for it...'ll just need to go back and ride the Altai.

[Jurassic]

Seasons greetings to all you ADVers wherever you may be.

[levain]

Originally Posted by ROD CURRIE

I probably won't put this very well but will have a go. IMHO much of one's mindset is weather and location driven. When you wake up on a beautiful morning in total silence apart from the birds, and open the tent flap to a knockout view ....how could you wish to be anywhere else, but when you've taken off soaking gear the night before having pitched in the rain and wind, and wake up in the rain to put on cold soaking boots yet again it'd take a better man than me to paint that smile on and not question my motives and choices.
But then when you find yourself riding towards that big blue patch and feel the first of that glorious warmth on your clothes. Man!...how good is that.
Maybe the contrast is what makes it great too....but all you guys know this. blah blah.

Put it just perfectly, Thanks

[Colebatch]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

When camping in the Altai for similar places, did you take any precautions about bears or other animals? Where did you store your food, etc? I heard somewhere that the bears in Russia are less dangerous to campers because they are less familar with human food (ie, food that humans bring camping) than bears in the US (and so are less attracted to campsites), but that sounds like wishful thinking to me.

We didnt take any particular bear precautions till east and north of Baikal. Not heard of them being a problem in other areas, even though the entire country is their habitat.

[RokLobster]

Walter -

When I opened my Christmas present from my husband, what should I see - the Sibirsky Extreme book and DVD!!!

I have read all of your ride reports and each morning when I have my coffee before work, my husband asks "where are we today?" We ride here in the northeast and have our own mini adventures, but I really enjoy seeing the world through your eyes.

Thanks,
Maria