Grand Russian Traverse 2007

**Bartman10** · 26th March 2007, 11:43

Bartman10 and Fraggle are off for a BIG adventure ride across Russia, as you may already know.

First up, as posted in general biker ravings, we're having a BBQ down at TSS motorcycles, Lower Hutt, this Saturday the 31st of March from about 9.30 am 'til closing. If you want to know more about international motorcycle travel, or you just want to say hi, please come down. That thread will probably die a natural death, so I'll keep you posted about developments in this thread. We're still a few months off, but things are starting to get interesting.

Our website is www.russiantraverse.co.nz

You can PM for more information.

We've learned a lot about international motorcycle travel. If you want to find out some more about it, please ask and we'll point you in the right direction.

For the record Chris Scott's book is excellent and I wish I bought it ages ago. We've essentially come to the same conclusions as Scott, but we've chased a lot of dead ends in the process. I wish I'd bought the book a year ago.

Cheers,

Mark and Jane.

**merv** · 26th March 2007, 12:04

Good luck with the trip.

**miSTa** · 26th March 2007, 13:12

Sounds like a fantistic trip, best of luck

**mazz1972** · 26th March 2007, 15:16

Your trip sounds awesome....hope you are able to keep the website updated so we can read your stories!

Have a GREAT time!!

**cooneyr** · 26th March 2007, 16:49

I'm extremely jealous. The Long Way Round planted the seed for me but looking at your budget it is defiantly going to be many years before I get the opportunity.

Good luck and make the most of every moment.

Cheers R

**Bartman10** · 26th March 2007, 16:59

Do not let the budget put you off!

We have not spent anything like what's listed. They are just RRP prices.

Jane and I have made some huge sacrifices for the trip and you'll have to do the same! Do the following and live the dream. You've already got the bike so you're half way there.

1. Move into a shitty flat with 8 other people
2. Cut your food budget. Live on baked beans and potatoes
3. Look for bargains, sponsorship opportunities and donations.
4. Get extra work in the weekends
5. Start planning now. It takes at least a year of planning.

Remember - we have spent FIVE (5) years planning this trip!

So start now!

Mark

Originally Posted by cooneyr

I'm extremely jealous. The Long Way Round planted the seed for me but looking at your budget it is defiantly going to be many years before I get the opportunity.

Good luck and make the most of every moment.

Cheers R

**Toaster** · 26th March 2007, 17:02

Hey have a safe and enjoyable trip comrades!

**Zukin** · 26th March 2007, 20:46

Originally Posted by Bartman10

Do not let the budget put you off!

2. Cut your food budget. Live on baked beans and potatoes

Mark

And for a special treat, you would get Jane "Watties Big Eat meals" aye

**vamr** · 26th March 2007, 21:52

Am kind of lazy to calculate months based on your route but...

I'll be in St Petersburg, visiting family, for majority of July and if you are passing through there can give you somewhat of a tour.

I always dreaded to imagine what it'd be like being in Russia without speaking the language.

**far queue** · 26th March 2007, 22:34

AWESOME

Excellent adventure guys. I'd been wondering what you were planning, it was obvious something big was in the offing. I've got your website bookmarked and will check in regularly. Good luck and have a ball. I'm sure it'll be tough at times, but what a great thing to be able to look back on.

**Macktheknife** · 27th March 2007, 00:17

What a tremendous adventure this will be, would love to do it too but that will have to wait I think.
Keep us updated please, I will be watching your site for info, and would love to talk to you both when you return on how it went for logistics.
Good luck
Mack

**Bartman10** · 27th March 2007, 10:27

Originally Posted by vamr

Am kind of lazy to calculate months based on your route but...

I'll be in St Petersburg, visiting family, for majority of July and if you are passing through there can give you somewhat of a tour.

I always dreaded to imagine what it'd be like being in Russia without speaking the language.

We'll be in St. Petersburg in September.

I'll be happy to say hello to your family though, if you like.

We're trying to learn Russian at the moment. It's quite difficult, but I'm sure it'll get better.

Mark.

**SDU** · 27th March 2007, 10:41

Wow

I hope you two have an awesome & healthy adventure.

**vamr** · 27th March 2007, 17:43

Originally Posted by Bartman10

We'll be in St. Petersburg in September.

I'll be happy to say hello to your family though, if you like.

We're trying to learn Russian at the moment. It's quite difficult, but I'm sure it'll get better.

Mark.

Ah, that's a shame, St. Petersburg is by far my favourite city that I've lived in.
The architecture is breathtaking no matter how many times I've seen it.

I grew up in Petergoff (or whatever the English spelling is), 15 minutes walk from the winter palace.

Unfortunately I'm the only one of my family who speaks English.

**Street Gerbil** · 27th March 2007, 22:40

Originally Posted by Bartman10

We'll be in St. Petersburg in September.

I'll be happy to say hello to your family though, if you like.

We're trying to learn Russian at the moment. It's quite difficult, but I'm sure it'll get better.

Mark.

Dude, any chance you could revise the schedule to be in SPb in June? You have no idea what will you be missing!