More visas more waiting...........

A delay in getting the LOI for China meant a chance to get a Tajik visa. These Central Asian visas continue to entertain..............
The Tajik "Embassy" is in an office block in Hammersmith; after asking at reception where I could find it, I was pointed to an affable bloke sat at a coffee table in the corner of what appeared to be somebody elses waiting room. He had a pile of passports, so I guess he was the Embassy. Anyway, £110 later (ouch; what do they spend the money on? Certainly not on office space!), I was told to come back in a week. So, assuming I haven't just handed my passport and cash to some random bloke on a tea-break, I should have my passport back just in time to apply for my Chinese visa. This will be the last one before the off. Hopefully will finally be on the road in about a fortnight. Until then, waiting, waiting, waiting..............

The bike is virtually ready. New chain and sprockets and an oil change next week. I might even give it a clean before I go (OK, maybe not). The 12v power socket and LED battery level warning light I wired up last week seem to work well.

Song for the day: Townes Van Zandt - Lungs (don't know why, but can't get it out of my head!)

Miracles do happen.........

Well, Scotland finally managed to beat the Aussies in their own backyard for the first time in 30 years. This video is of the post winning kick celebration. Scotland have elevated the headbutt to almost balletic grace!

Anyway, the build up to the trip continues. Tibet is now almost certainly a no-go. At this point it seems all foreigners are barred from entering Tibet. It may change by September, but it isn't looking good. So a diversion through Xinjiang, Gansu and Sichuan to Yunnan is in order. Still some epic scenery to ride through.

The recent opening of the Georgia - Russia border at Kazbegi has alllowed for more options for London to the 'Stans. As Ukraine will only recently have finished with some football competition (I hate football!), Turkey looks more appealing. Also Georgia was one of only two countries that Scotland managed to beat in the last RWC. Not really a reason to go there, but the mountains are supposed to be beautiful.

Tibetan problems and gathering visas

The regulations on the issue of Tibet Travel Permits are becoming more stringent by the day at the moment. This may or may not cause an issue on this trip. As these things can change with alarming rapidity, it is too early to tell. There is always a "Plan B", it is just that I haven't got one yet! So, it is back to the maps to work out an alternative route should the Tibetan option prove impossible.

Meanwhile, the gathering of visas continues. I went to the Uzbek consulate to find it locked and closed for a national holiday. So, it was off to see the Kyrgyz the next day instead. At first, I thought that it was closed as well as it appeared to be deserted. The visa section is in the basement and even though an outer door was open; it only led to a cupboard sized room with two locked doors leading off it. I knocked on these doors with no reponse; before finally spotting a doorbell outside the outer (open) door. I rang, heard a bit of distant shuffling before a hatch in one of the doors flew open to reveal a slightly startled looking Kyrgyz man. I gave him my application form, cheque and passport and he gave me a collection ticket. I was No.2; although whether I was No.2 that day, week or month wasn't clear.

Anyway, I went back a few days later to find the visa "office" as deserted as before and my passport and visa waiting for me. Easiest, most hassle free visa so far. I think I will like Kyrgystan!

Then went straight on to the Uzbek consulate for visa number four. Much busier than the Kyrgyz (how could it be less?), still only had to wait about half an hour. A word of warning though: turn your phone off before joining the queue! The guy in front of me was, silently, playing a game on his phone (not even texting or phoning). When he got to the front, the woman behind the counter refused to serve him citing a "no phones" sign on the wall. A shouting match ensued, which the guy had no chance of winning; he eventually re-joined the back of the queue with his phone firmly off.

2 months and counting

OK, the Pegaso has finally been sold. Great bike, had some great trips on it. But all good things............

With some of the cash from the sale; I got this lovely Yacugar shock. Made a surprising amount of difference to the ride. The Ten feels more planted with no more "sitting down" on acceleration. A more lively ride all round! Very happy with it. Scottoiler has also been fitted as has a rad guard from Metal Mule.

I am now looking at adding a 12v power source after which the bike will be more or less ready to go. As will I, with two months (ish) to go before departure, I have started on the visas. Russia and Kazakhstan are done and I will tackle the Uzbeks next week. Always an interesting experience going to consulates to get visas; a chance to get a small, early glimpse of the countries I will be riding through. The Russian experience was surprisingly smooth, organized and efficient, as was the Kazakh. It can all be this easy, surely?

Still haven't actually decided on a route from London to the 'Stans yet. I got chatting to a guy in front of me in the queue at the Kazakh embassy doing a trip from UK to Oz on a KTM690; his attitude was one of not wanting to overplan the whole thing. Good attitude to have; I really don't want a strict itinerary (apart from the China bit which is unavoidable), but a chance to just go with whatever comes up. So, I will probably set off in July with still no real decision made as to which route to take. Just point the bike East and go.......................................

All coming together nicely

I now have the final group with whom I will be riding through China. Total cost per person came in at under £1000 each; not too much more than the freighting option from Kathmandu; so very happy! I have met half of the people I will be riding with and they are a great bunch of people; I am sure it will be a great trip. I can now focus on the other parts of the ride; mainly getting from London to the Chinese border. I know where I want to go once I get to the 'Stans, but how to get there? Don't want to overplan the whole thing so the choice of route to Uzbekistan will probably be determined by the political situation over the next few months.
I have put my Aprilia Pegaso Trail on ebay to help raise funds for the trip. Sad to see it go, but having two bikes is an expensive indulgence for me. The XT is the bike for the job, so the Peg has to go.
Thinking about luggage options. This is the bike as set up for a trip around Europe last year. Worked pretty well, but the topbox is too big and heavy; so I am on the lookout for something smaller and lighter. Have invested in a Scottoiler and am looking at a new shock (if the Peg. makes decent money!).
All in all, things are coming together nicely. Just have to wait another 4 months until I can set off.

T-minus 7 months (ish)

Not great at updating these blog things.
Anyway, have got quite a few people interested in joining me for this trip across China and Tibet. All looking good at this stage. I have been in negotiation with many Chinese tour companies for a while now, and some of the quotes I am getting (after a fair bit of friendly negotiation!) are very doable from my point of view. Not cheap, but worthwhile for the oppurtunity to ride through Tibet. As the other option would be shipping the bike and myself from Kathmandu to Bangkok, I would rather spend the cash in China (and I hate flying!).
Now that the UK and Iranian governments are having a pissing contest; that section of the trip may need re-jigging; but there is always an option.
Anyway I am off for a beer.

T - minus 10 months (ish)

Next summer (2012) I am going to ride my Yamaha XT660Z Tenere from London to Kuala Lumpur. The plan is to ride all the way (apart from the channel tunnel and any other unavoidable water crossings), no freighting the bike and no flying! The basic route outline is from the UK through Europe to Turkey, on to Iran before heading up into Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan and into China and Tibet before dropping down into Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and on to Malaysia.For those who have knowledge of such things: the main stumbling block is China. Currently, the only way to take your own vehicle into the PRC is to pay a travel agency to provide all the necessary permits and provide a "guide" to accompany you. This costs money. So, if any other bikers or 4WD drivers are looking to cross China/Tibet around September 2012, do you want to make a (small) group to share the costs for the China section?