Rain continues 4th day as I'm writing this words. Sitting in hostel compensate all long days of riding and my body can finally get stronger.
Since Ufa where got engine rebuild I did 8687km in 25 days. I'm not great in mathematics but this is fast for me and I like it - so this is my around 350km a day. Of course couple of longer 2-3 days stops were necessary.
After last mayor engine break down I priorities my days as fallow:
1. motorbike condition, checks and repairs
2. my self condition - food, safe sleep, motivation, keep in touch with close ones
3. diary, photography and video files storage
3. kilometers progress
4. seeing places and people
Nasty electrical problem
After having this schedule I had more peace in mind to follow more km. Every Moto travel sooner or latter will realize how is this all important. From Ural to Irkutsk journey was kind of the smooth until one morning I had slept in bush and battery died, the beauty of the place was wiped by struggle of 4 hours pushing back my motorbike. I tried my system with pull start but this time this wasn't working. I just need to get to asphalt road to get some help. The problem was terrain as I went of road. Actually not far from main road but very hilly and muddy track. Finally got to the road. Usually Russians are friendly and helpfull but no one would stop and help me. It took me some time to get to road workers and ask them for help. and I got push start and pack my luggage as motorbike would idle for 15minutes.
I bought new gel battery in Krasnoyarsk for around 30e and is good till now.
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| last moment before motor say no |
In Sidi Ifni in Morocco I numbered last 195 pages of my diary backwards - in that way the last page will be page 0. Coming back to Europe I had to decide what is my next stage of my round-the-world journey I knew I like to see South America and Siberia the most. On page 193 I made variant South America and on page 194 variant Europa-Baykal
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| my xerocopy paper home made diary page 193-194 |
And as I was closer to Baykal - Irkutsk, my excitement rose and I felt super. I knew that I modified my 194 page plan several times and my greedy nature like to go Vladivostok and than one of americas. Irkutsk was still important to achieve and to think what next.
After arrival I got hostel in city center and first thing was important I had my washing done - no much clothes.
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| I entered Irkutsk on my page 99 |
Marije
She is tall, smart and pretty and speaks languages - thats all to start with. I meet her at hostel as I was talking to Tobias - Swiss Kayaker going north through the rivers of Russia. Her Name is Marije.
3 of us went for "diner" to the town - we all enjoyed "drinks" and conversation as it was late we searched for karaoke bar and we wound one and some more attractions - we finally navigate home.As I was new to this type of tourism next day we got second helmet. We rode on slightly overload zebra to that famous lake - baykal and much more latter. As 48 h finish my dream ends too, I only wish see her before end of my diary book again. Irkutsk is special for me.
Horse
Years back I watched some Moto travel video on you tube and most remembered moment was man on horse somewhere in Mongolian steps chasing his motorcycle. From Irkutsk to Chita was much like steps and from distance I seen this man going over field. I take a chance and take of my tarmac rode and follow him for around 2 km. My long awaiting day dream have to end as I filmed him chasing me on my moto. There is strong deep connection to this image - and I can not explain why - but this was special. I was moved when watched footage later.
Vladivostok
This was more than I could dream of. ahh I was tired of rush I got bad cold next days, - I was - I'm happy and I mean that. I learned this.
P.S
I decided go back to Europe and find out - What is next turn
and If I can continue to my south america on Zebra. will arrive in Moscow with moto on 5 dec
I need new tyres, chain etc
