Ulan-Ude to Vladivostok is 3462km. We had heard that the road is largely in fairly good condition, except for all the sections under repair. Once we left Ulan-Ude and headed toward Chita we knew that there was not much in the way of towns that would have accommodation, so despite the weather we would have to push on. As we headed east along the highway, hundred of new or late model Japanese cars were heading west. Small cars towing the same model behind on an 'A' frame.
At one of our regular borsch and coffee brunches we saw these, the fronts covered with aluminium and foam sheets protecting the fronts. These are probably sold as new cars............... only slightly run-in.
The sign to Chita.
For some time now, my bike had been short of a side-stand spring. The stand was tied up with a strap, hard to undo so I found it easier to lean it against something every time we stopped.
We heard from Peter who informed us that Ben's bike had finished to ride in UB. Ben was still at the ger camp trying to arrange to ship it onto Vladivostok or home. Peter was following us and hoping to catch us.
Dave's bike was still pristine and without fault. Smug bastard.
We stopped at this wayside area to look at a chapel and ring its bell. The view was great. About this time, my electric starter was getting temperamental and I was resorting to the kick start, which worked perfectly.
We were starting to get rain everyday, sometimes for hours at a time and 'gortex' only holds out the water for so long. We had made contact with the Iron Angels MC in Mogocha where we'd been told we could stay. As we got closer, they told us that they were going east to a biker's festival (rally) and wouldn't be in town. We decided to stay there anyway and then continue to the festival the next morning.
There is a saying here that God made Sochi (site for winter Olympics 2014) and Satan made Mogocha. We rode in and understood why. The ugliest Soviet styled multi storied flats, everything run down and decaying. There must be a 'good' part of town, but we left before we found it.
We rode on to Amazar which we hoped would be an improvement. Most of these smaller towns are about 10km off the highway. When the highway was build, an intersection was installed with about 10mt of road. I guess it was up to the town to build a joining link. None have. The road was a gravel track with bush right up to the edges. At first the water filled potholes only covered half the track, but very soon they covered the whole width and were at least 8mts long. A couple of young guys on an old 2 stroke came along and sort of guided us through maze. unfortunately there was no time for pics, but Dave says that my panniers were well into the water.
Anyway, we made it through and finally found a 'guest' house. We had to share with a Russian guy, Sasha who was ok. Went for a stroll around the town and found this bust of Lenin out front of what must have been party headquarters.
Many of the older houses are log construction and very robust.
When the shops close in town, the steel shutters are fitted. There must be a crime problem after dark.
Another trashed room by Morley and Newbold. Sacha is at rear of room trying to sleep.
At one of our regular borsch and coffee brunches we saw these, the fronts covered with aluminium and foam sheets protecting the fronts. These are probably sold as new cars............... only slightly run-in.
We heard from Peter who informed us that Ben's bike had finished to ride in UB. Ben was still at the ger camp trying to arrange to ship it onto Vladivostok or home. Peter was following us and hoping to catch us.
There is a saying here that God made Sochi (site for winter Olympics 2014) and Satan made Mogocha. We rode in and understood why. The ugliest Soviet styled multi storied flats, everything run down and decaying. There must be a 'good' part of town, but we left before we found it.
We rode on to Amazar which we hoped would be an improvement. Most of these smaller towns are about 10km off the highway. When the highway was build, an intersection was installed with about 10mt of road. I guess it was up to the town to build a joining link. None have. The road was a gravel track with bush right up to the edges. At first the water filled potholes only covered half the track, but very soon they covered the whole width and were at least 8mts long. A couple of young guys on an old 2 stroke came along and sort of guided us through maze. unfortunately there was no time for pics, but Dave says that my panniers were well into the water.
Anyway, we made it through and finally found a 'guest' house. We had to share with a Russian guy, Sasha who was ok. Went for a stroll around the town and found this bust of Lenin out front of what must have been party headquarters.
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