Cycling Central Asia-Peking to Paris

captn willard

Fellow touring addicts: I'm thinking about another tour in 2006, roughly the old Silk Road, Europe to China thru Central Asia. Nothing planned as of yet and not commited to going E to W or W to E.

I'm interested in finding partners along part or the whole trip. I am a strong experienced touring cyclist but do intended to go about it at a moderate pace to take in all the culture and nature. Low budget and camping whenever possible.

Email me if interested. trellasw@yahoo.com

I'm also interested in tips and suggestions from others who have made similar trips.

Cheers

Arnold van Zon

We ( my wife and I ) are considering the same in 2007. One of the problems we see ( the biking is the least one ) is obtaining visa's for Kasakhstan and Russia without booking hotels , ect. How do you get around that one? Also some area's along the route in China are closed for foreingers.

Arnold van Zon, New Zealand

Moneer81

you guys are nuts !

actually no I really admire this adventurous plan....I don't know how biking through Asia would be like though...

captn willard

As if anyone was interested, the trip is off for 2006. I got creamed and my foot got crushed. Two surgeries later and I am just on rehabing. All the money and time for a 06 trip is gone.

I still appreciate any input as I will make the trip perhaps in '07.





I'm also interested in tips and suggestions from others who have made similar trips.

Cheers[/QUOTE]

Moneer81

[/QUOTE]

Sorry to hear that...
how did that happen?

hope you'll get better soon.

captn willard

Arnold, I see you are on Olly's list for the B to P in 2007. He assured me that a newsletter will be going out soon and there will be a user group created so that the riders can exchange information and get to know each other. Several of us are interested in partnering at least part of the way.

Cheers.

CaptN W

Arnold van Zon

Capt W

Thanks for your info. Look forward sharing idea's with the other participants in the near future.

Arnold

EoinC

[/QUOTE]Cap'n. I spent a year working in the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan (Early 1990's). I didn't have a bike over there, but it would make for some great riding. Contrary to the impression fostered in the rest of the World, the place is full of some pretty amazing and hospitable people.
I've cycled around in Laos, Thailand, Indonesia and (currently) Malaysia. As I'm sure you know, an open attitude and an open itinerary will get you into all sorts of places and have you meeting all sorts of people. Good luck with your ride and I hope that your foot gets back to 100%.
Regards,
Eoin

waterford-camel

On a US passport-

A 30 day Kazakhstan visa is pretty straight forward. The consulate just needs the entry date, no letter of invite is required. 30 days does not leave much time for siteseeing, nor rest days if you ride the entire countries length. If you enter from Russia further along in Kazakh, then the tourist Visa should be plenty.

The Russian one is tricky. I'll be going with the Russian Cycle Tourist club for support for a 3month multiple entry business Visa.

Some of the other CIS states are even more difficult to get addequate Visa's for.

OP: sorry to hear about the injury. Safe/fast healing to you!

__________________
e-mail: jfoneg"at"__removethis__yahoo.com

Arnold van Zon

Thank you for that info.

I came accross a website with gives some more info. re . Russian visa's. This is: http://members.aol.com/imershein/Page4.html

Arnold

waterford-camel

Arnold,

I also hope to write a tour journal on "crazyguyonabike.com". When/if I do, I'll note Visa/logistics.

Russian Visa doesn't apear to be available greater than 90 days before crossing the border (some exceptions). I hope to be an "exception" (cross fingers), and be able to get mine from home-rather than spending extra time waiting along the way.

Registering the Russian Visa seems less required these days (exceptions of course being stoppovers in Moscow, St Petersburg etc.).

The one consistant thing I've read from cycle tourers was border control/customs "forgetting" about filing/stamping a declaritsa. Without it, one may be "fined" (cough-cough) when departing. I'll be bringing a copy pre-translated with me, as there may only be russian ones available at the border. There is a Russian/English version available on the web for download (pdf). The link to it from Everbrites page doesn't currently work.

On Kazakhstan- I simply e-mailed the consulate for info. Perhaps inquire with your nearest consulate directly, as your departure date nears?

They were very quick to respond, and didn't note any problems (I indicated I would be cycling acrossed). I did not inquire about a longer Visa, as the 30 day will be fine for me, although "cutting it close".

__________________
e-mail: jfoneg"at"__removethis__yahoo.com

daavq

I have just started cycle touring, however in 2000 I travelled from Ulan Bator to Beijing then across China, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey to Istanbul along the Silk Road. I can make a few suggestions.

1. If you are planning on going through Iran, get your visa application in early. It took 6 weeks to get mine and I ended up hanging around Beijing while it was getting processed. The people there are WAY friendlier than our media would have you believe, but their government is not to friendly.
   
2. HYDRATE! I met a Dutch couple in Turfan who cycled across the Taklamakan desert. She ended up with heat stroke and they had to put her in a bath tub of cold water to get her temperature to come down.
   
3. Visit Karimabad in the Hunza valley, stay at the Eagles Nest B&B. It's cheap and you wake up every morning looking at Rakaposhi (7500m peak)
   
4. Stop in Kashgar for the Sunday Market. It has to be seen to be believed.
   
5. Have fun! If you get frustrated or angry take a deep breath. If you loose your cool you loose face and all negotiations cease

You can see some photos from the trip at http://www.davehamel.com. Feel free to contact me if you need more information.

Arnold van Zon

Dave


Great pictures and thanks for your input.
Our route is not fixed yet , it depends which areas are open to foreigners. Waiting for an answer from the Chineese tourist bureaux. Perhaps we never get one....

Arnold

waterford-camel

Independant travel by bike is "frowned upon" (probaby because we don't need to spend as much money as other types of tourists). I would not mention your wish, or intention to do so in any official corespondence with China.

Unless:

You are using a guided service.

Perhaps have some form or type of national support for your expedition. (ie your consolate/embassy supports you, and is in contact with the Chinese government on your behalf.)

__________________
e-mail: jfoneg"at"__removethis__yahoo.com