BCF poll what to do.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

What do I do>?

Option 1

Ride to Baku wait for my DHL parcel of spares and tools , and get the ferry to Aktau and ride 2000km-3400km through the barren desert , unsupported on a non existant 'road'.

Originally nath was to be the support for this trip but we are no longer riding together. Experienced rider Tiffany says DO NOT DO THIS ALONE due to immense risk.

note

Bike breaks = death
Fuel runs out = death
water runs out = death
Fall off the bike and break a leg = death

desert temp is 39C in the day 1-3C or colder at night this is a proper empty desert 100s of km with nothing , any water I may find is toxic. Villages marked on maps are one or two porta cabins in the middle of nowhere.

Option 2

Ride to Baku wait for my DHL parcel of spares and tools , and get the ferry to Aktau and attempt to get the bike stuck on a train the ticket prices for a seat are 20 quid unknown for bike , push bike has been tried and works motorbike is an unknown for cost and possibility.

Option 3

Ride to Baku wait for my DHL parcel of spares and tools , at the same time apply for my Uzbekistan visa which is reputed to take 7-10 days ride through with a huge convoy to the Uzbek border which is 200km of non existant road. BUt means I will be stuck in Baku for 10-15 days as the visa will probably come AFTER the ferry leaves but it also allows Nath and 3 other riders to catch up.

Option 4

Baku take the ferry directly into Russia which means I use one of my entries into Russia and thus have to Skip the entire stans.

Turkmenistan or Iran is not an option even people WITH visas are being turned back at the borders.

Decision is going to be made in oh 5-6 hours but the final decision is mine.
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Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Option 3.

Or option 2 with 3 as a back up plan. Laughing

Toukakoukan · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Karma :

People with visas are getting turned back from the border into Iran? Since when?
Though admittedly getting an Iranian visa is like squeezing blood from a stone.

Option 3 mate.

Riding through deserts unsupported without proper preparation is a very very bad idea (I grew up in Saudi, trust me on this).
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tykey · Scooby Slapper Joined: 25 May 2009 Karma :

option 1

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 04 Jan 2004 Karma :

dodger · Traffic Copper Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Karma :

Option 2 is what I'd take.

Option 1 is a massive no no... Thumbs Up

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Carl_steveo · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Karma :

I would go with option 3. But maybe option 1 if i was bored.
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Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

The way I see it:

Option 1 - You'll get yourself a Darwin Award, or they'll make a movie about your trip, they might have a legal battle with Johnny Knoxville though for the rights to call it 'Jackass'.

Option 2 - Considering you've no idea if they'll let your bike on the train it's a bit risky as it the means taking another ferry to elsewhere or going with option 1.

Option 3 - Sounds like the best idea, yes 2 weeks is a long wait but you're there to travel and see things, doubt many people have spent 2 weeks in Azerbaijin so gives you a fairly unique experience.

And riding in convoy is the best idea, much lower risk of problems, you riding alone from this point on IMO is bordering on daft.....refer to option 1, this covers Mongolia too, do you have a compass and a proper navigational map on you, plenty of water?if your bike breaks down in the middle of nowhere you may have one hell of a long walk to find help, where do you plan to find fuel given your relatively small tank capacity and lack of fuel station map for the middle of nowhere, or if you have an accident, a hell of a long wait until someone finds you...

Option 4 - Depends how badly you want to see those other places, surely plenty to see through Russia and I imagine that route would be a lot more civilised too, good idea for a lone traveller.

Options 3 or 4, your choice as you say and probably already made it by now.

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

A big ass parcel of spares is flying out to Baku , I have managed to grease the wheels to minimise the stay in baku
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.