China, Xinjiang Province

Two failed Torugart Pass-crossing attempts later and two expiring-today visas in hand, we have resignedly bitten the pricey bullet. This means hiring a vehicle both to carry us and the bike over the icy snow to the China border as well as hiring another to meet us at the top to take us down the other side into China itself. Dave's stomach relaxes as we get the bike safely off the Kyrgyz van, bidding farewell to that gonzo Kyrgyz driver.

Guatape to Bogota

Departed Guatape on the 18th and headed for the small mountain village of Otanche. Most of the day was spent on mountain dirt roads and the going was pretty slow. Took all day to ride 181 miles. By the time I arrived and got settled in it was getting dark, got cleaned up and went to sleep early. The next days plan was to ride to Villa de Leiva. Short distance on a map but the road twists through the mountains and is under construction most of the way. I was told the views are fantastic however it was clouded in all day.

Song of the day: I Shot the Sheriff, Eric Clapton

France, Switzerland and some fork letter words

Day 21 01/07/09

June Y2K7

Made it!

A 1,000km Day

So what's the big deal?

All I did was sit on my bike for nine hours.

I left Sao Paulo just before nine am and rolled into Campo Grande at seven thirty pm. One thousand and one kilometres later at an average speed of one hundred and eleven km/h.

This beat my previous record by 180km.

I suppose it must be a boy thing.

Vertigo

I was always aware that the shoe company Bata was vaguely east European. There was a branch in our high street when I was a kid, and they were famed for their sturdy leather sandals. I confess I thought they were Polish, but they're actually Czech, and now Canadian, and huge. I've seen branches in almost every country I've been to.I spent this afternoon in the wonderful Bata Shoe Museum here in Toronto. Totally fascinating, with footwear dating back 5,000 years.

Kicking around Colombia

Departed Pamplona on the 6th and rode to Medellin. It's a nice 325 mile ride through two mountain ranges however there was rain, fog and holiday traffic so it took all day. I did get a break in weather just before descending into Bucaramanga.

Phoenix

Saturday 18th April –Sedona to Phoenix (by Steve)Saturday 18th April –Sedona to Phoenix (by Steve)

Malawi

Karong is by the Malawi Lake and this is where i was camped, very close to the waters edge. Unfortunatelly the locals running the camp/lodge had no idea about rest at nite. On the second nite there i was that upset at their noise - voices and music at 2 in the morning i got up and said my peace, and thats what i got. In Karong i did find an internet cafe. Cafe in the Africa ive seen has nothing to do with coffee and cake. One lonely computer in a vacant room is the norm.

So why haven't I left yet?

Today did not get off to a great start. I planned my day and went to Granny's to adjust the sag. I had loads of things going through my head and, having put some stuff in the top box, started the engine. I waited for a gap in the traffic and rolled the throttle on to ride straight off the pavement onto the road.

Bald Heads and Hurricanes

Irena is the only person in the entire world who knows how to transport a motorcycle and its British rider from Vladivotok to Japan (recently taken over from Diana, who used to hold that distinction).My worry is that not only is she far too confident but things have so far gone far too smoothly.

Russia doesn't have molehills; it only has mountains. When you ask for help with something only slightly out of the ordinary, the standard response (unless you've had the misfortune to approach a deranged harridan) is "That may be a problem".

Jun 03-04, 2016

June 03, 2016:
On the trail again, moto feeling much better!! The shop also put new front brake disks and pads on as well, very nice! First on the days ride is back into Austria to get my passport at a FedEx station just outside of Linz. I had sent it back to the USA from Portugal to get a Russian Visa. All is good!
Water stop somewhere in Northern Austria. Lots of wheat fields throughout this part Europe.