Russian Border to Ulan Ude The usual fight to get thru a border, these Russians know what they're doing though, this customs official spoke great English and turned the whole process into a fun experience, she even checked the vin plate on the bike. I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that I like the Russians they have this "macho face" thing going on but on every occasion when we've got to know them better they're great fun and very interested in...

Barnaul to Russian Altai Well at least it stopped raining, a standard ride except for the police the speed limits are heavily enforced 95 KPH on main roads with 65 KPH in the towns. We passed five police camera cars in the space of 50 miles I was leading and had several near misses. Jono Kevin Alan and Lee were eventually stopped doing 95 in a 65 but Kev managed to talk their way out of it, he told the police they'd no money and apologised lots so eventually t...

Barnaul rest day Not a great town this, old style Russian, they even still have the warders on each floor of the hotel, just like Moscow 20 years ago. Nobody speaks any English not even in the hotel and at first they all seem very stand offish but actually underneath it all they are friendly they just have this "face" on. We find a sports shop selling tents and eventually I buy a four sleeper that has since been nicknamed "the cathedral" I ...

Semey to Barnaul Today's a badly planned mess. It's a border crossing into Russia which apparently is renown for its delays. It seems that the Kazachs and the Russians don't get on so the Russians limit the number of vehicles thru the border to 3 or 4 per hour so when 13 bikes turn up it causes chaos. The problems start when the Kazach computer goes down because someone turned off the power. In their defence the mange to find a laptop so we all rush to get pro...

A Day n Tblisi I like this place! lots of good food, beer and pretty girls - the hotel wasn't up to much though. Boringly got thru a load of work and washed all our gear riding jackets and trousers must have been filthy cos the water was black by the time we'd finished. Finished off with a quite meal in one of the back street cafes. It might not sound like much but I think we were ready for a rest we've not stopped since Istanbul, which is all the way across Tur...