Back in 2008 three of us left London and headed to Russia. We’d spent nearly three years planning the trip and after a delay as Patrick broke his leg we finally left the UK in September of that year.
The trip was filled with drama from the start. From an aborted attempt to get sponsorship through to the amazing amount of money and awareness we raised for Everyman – the male cancer charity. We were interviewed every few days of the trip by BBC Five Live – all of those interviews can be found in the posts below – along with a whole bunch of videos we shot reviewing the gear we planned to take.
The original plan was to hit Moscow and then head out of Russia via the Ukraine. In the end we suffered a massive time and money drain (bikes that broke down) on the way to St. Petersburg that left us short of cash and our confidence dented to the point that we decided that we’d made it to Russia and now was the sensible time to turn around.
It was an amazing introduction to touring the world on motorbikes. A journey that both dented and strengthened our friendships and something that the three of us will never forget.
The posts below serve as a small window on nearly three years of our lives dedicated to organising this amazing trip. Over planning? Us? Never. You can also read these posts, along with additional material over at the original blog – journeytorussia.co.uk
Advice we should listen to
Picked this up over at motorcycleramblings.com – it’s advice from a book by Tim Cahill – which you should go buy immediately. The following is an excerpt from Tim Cahill´s book Hold the Enlightenment. I would like to reproduce a good portion of it hear, assuming that he will not mind as long as I … Continue reading
Sunday, April 15, 2007
April Training Run – almost ready
We’ve chosen the location, we’ve bought new kit, and we’re ready for the off! Well, almost. I still need to change my sprockets and chain, Stace needs to re-configure his luggage after buying a new 2 second tent with a smaller ‘wing factor’, and Patrick needs to ride-in and make sure his recent head bearing … Continue reading
Monday, April 23, 2007
Stunning Photography
We’re very luck here in Journey To Russia towers… we have a genius photographer with us. His name is Stace and he can’t half shake the right end of a lens around. Here are some of the amazing shots he took of our Dartmoor run – he wasn’t even trying to take brilliant shots as … Continue reading
Thursday, April 26, 2007
April training run takes us (me) home.
Ready for the off – again – as we prepare for the April training run. We’re heading to Celyn Brithion back home in Wales. It’s a beautiful spot right at the heart of a beautiful country (not that I’m biased). I’m really looking forward to the long corners and steep bends that the road up … Continue reading
Friday, April 27, 2007
Rhino Protect Review
After waiting since February following my purchase of a profit kit from the Rhino Protect stand at this years London MCN show the day had come to travel to the fitting centre just north of Slough, although if I am honest I travelled over the night before and stayed with an old friend as I … Continue reading
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Lunch stop
I’m not allowed to tell you where we have stopped, but suffice to say it’s = a little red place. Burgers have been ordered and tea drunk. Very very nice = weather more when we arrive in Wales
Long day
It’s been a stunning day. The weather has been perfect, the new tent is = just right, and the food tonight was top notch. The icing on the cake has = to be the wonderful camp site Patric found. Good night for now and see you = all in the morning!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
far too early
It’s 7am but time to pull myself together and get some breakfast on. We = wont be making the same mistake as last time and leaving before we have = some popper food and drink inside us. A little wet and cold this morning – = let’s hope it brightens up.
Back safe and sound
The bike is away, the flickr photos are being uploaded and I have a full Sunday roast in my Belly…. fantastic weekend, much learned, full report shortly. Sorry about the strange characters in the posts whilst we were away – the photo update stuff seems to put them in – will get that fixed ASAP.
GPS Trace of Wales Training Weekend
Here it is in all it’s glory – I never get tired of these things! 500 miles in one weekend – can’t be bad.
