Rach81 show us your face!
Discussion
Rocket Pepper said:
Can you imagine that in 53. Must have been a right proper adventure back then given the roads and route taken.
How did you get on crossing Iran? Did you need carnett's etc for various countries? And how about visa's? Did you throw much prep into the journey or really did just fill a bag and head west on a bike, coz that's the way I've always fancied it. The paper trail endeavour and forward planning has always put me off? Wouldn't it be great just to fill up and keep going. Please tell us more.
It would have been a right run in 53, its actually pretty easy now - I took a month and went down through France then down the east coast of Italy, ferry to Greece and up through Greece into Turkey. Roads get a bit worse as you go but traffic gets thinner so its a decent trade off!How did you get on crossing Iran? Did you need carnett's etc for various countries? And how about visa's? Did you throw much prep into the journey or really did just fill a bag and head west on a bike, coz that's the way I've always fancied it. The paper trail endeavour and forward planning has always put me off? Wouldn't it be great just to fill up and keep going. Please tell us more.
Iran is amazing! The single most spectacular country I have ever been to and my favourite place on the planet. The people are friendly and helpful to the point of embarrasment, they are just lovely. The country itself is huge and very different north to south, when you get past Esfahan it becomes very aride and in the south most of the riding is desert riding albeit on the roads. Petrol is dirt cheap, about a penny a litre and the quality isnt too bad.
I did have a carnet, is needed for countries east of Turkey and it makes getting into Turkey easier although you don't actually need it. In fact getting into most countries would be possible without one as at every border post I was offered fake ones that would have done the job!
Visawise, I got the Iranian one organised before I left the UK as if you don't get that you will need to change the route and go north of Iran or South and ferry. I picked that up in Istanbul and had it extended twice in Iran due to the breakdown. The visas for Pakistan and India were picked up in Istanbul - that the first big lay up point and you meet loads of people doing the same stuff! Next wave of visas I sorted out in India. Much like you I can't stand too much forward planning and too much planning ruins the trip! Other than that it really was stash the stuff fon the bike and go, two big panieers, top box with bike spares and docs and a tent etc. Most of that was sent back home in Istanbul as after Turkey there is no need to camp and I wanted to get the weight down.
Kitwise, I started with all the normal type of stuff but pretty much abandoned that by turkey and just rode in jeans and t-shirt, much more danger from heat than coming off. Where possible I avoided wearing a helmet as heat again was a pain and some of the best days were spent just bimbling around dirt tracks in the air. Some people may not agree with doing that but I didnt see it as a huge risk.
All in all, just a great experience, something I wouldnt have missed for the world and everyone should do it!!
Rach81 said:
Dudd said:
Wow! that sounds amazing.
Does anyone want to do the Mongol rally with me in July? ride a 125cc bike to Mongolia over 4/5weeks. c'mon be adventurous!
I'm tempted Does anyone want to do the Mongol rally with me in July? ride a 125cc bike to Mongolia over 4/5weeks. c'mon be adventurous!
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