(Near Yining, Xinjiang province, China)
UK to China trip....An opportunity to join Steve of
www.motoexplorer.co.uk, who was planning to ride to the East coast of China was all I needed to celebrate my 65th birthday. Having obtained all the necessary visas and jabs and with the standard spec Tiger kitted out for the 11,000 mile overland trip we were ready for the challenge.
Highlights of the ride
As this was my first long distance ride, lessons were quickly learned. Travelling through Europe was easy, but from Romania onwards new challenges lay ahead. All the countries we went through deserved a longer time to visit, but as is the way only a fleeting glance was all we had of there culture. The hospitality of everyone we met was a humbling experience, everwilling to share their life.
In brief ...
Russia - Corrupt policeman spoilt our visit. A place to return to.
Kazakhstan...a different experience everyday, from remote villages to ultra modern cities, travelling along deserted unmade tracks through vast open spaces. Big Skies..not a place to break down.
Kyrgzstan...Unspoilt..mountains, a bikers paradise, friendly people, it has everything.
China...a country of contrasts, from the western food mountain to the tourist traps of the East, the people, the super power without a doubt. What ever you have heard about Chinas traffic is true!
Lessons learnt on the trip. .The hardest part is saying you are going to do it. The rest is easy. Travel light. Most thing can be bought locally if needed. Take plenty of local maps. Never run out of emergency rations. Learn a few words of the local language. Don't rely on mobiles to get you out of trouble. Be as self sufficient as you can.
Tigers can run on 80 grade petrol. Always keep your tank full, stop at every station if needed, it could be a long push in STAN LAND countries.
Keep a daily diary = people/places contacts.
Looking back it is difficult to put into words. 2 1/2 months of life changing experiences. I am just fortunate to be one of the few people who have travelled this route. I had more adventures in Kazakhstan alone than in a life time of riding.
Countries visited England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Hungry, Slovakia, Germany, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgzstan, China.
Bike problems:
One Blown fuse. No punctures. Trip done on one set of Tyres. Plenty of petrol but 3 litres of oil used. One set of Brake Pads. Service just a oil and filter change and a spanner up of Nuts etc Wish I had done a front suspension upgrade.
The Tiger had 9313km (5786 miles)on the clock to start and registered 26,414km (16,413 miles) at the end of the journey.
(Xinjiang province, China.)
(Crossing table mountain area in Kyrgzstan, Yurt toilet in the background)
(On the Kazakhstan/China border)
(Crossing a frozen river in Kazakhstan)
(Beijing, China)
More photo's
Thank you everyone who voted for my Tiger.
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