21 MAY 01 TRIBUTE TO SIR ALEX FERGUSON WORLD TOUR
After 15 years loyal service to Manchester United and all the happiness and trophies along the way. I am not sure what the future will bring you but I shall be dedicating my world tour to you Sir Alex Ferguson the person for all that you have achieved. If my bike displays the same amount of loyalty and success to me as you have displayed to Manchester United my world tour will be a total success.
12 MAY 02 ROUTE (On going Project- Russia and Siberia) (route)
I have, I believe, finalised my route if you can see any glaring mistakes or can recommend something better because of something I am not aware of email me please. Intention is to renew carnet in Brazil prior to departure for south Africa. I have created a min max temp window versus route, it may be useful somebody else planning a long journey.
(Sudan and Iran I know will be a visa problem but i am keeping my fingers crossed that I can establish contacts in Egypt you will be able to assist us).
07 MAY 01 THANK YOU / CARNET / GSCLUBUK MEET IN CASSEL
A couple of people I want to thank, firstly Steve Raucher who has been very helpful and contributed much to my planning and preparation for our RWT. If you did not know he and his brother departed the UK in November last year a RWT. Read all about it on his fantastic web site www.raucher.com
Secondly
Ron and Khan from
Dubai UAE, these guys have been with me from day one and there words
of encouragement mean a lot to me and monika. Please forward some details
on the best way to visit you whilst on-route. Can you enter from IRAN? It
was be nice to share a beer with you guys. Thanks for the support.
Today I received a quote to take me and Sir Alex from the UK east across Russia to the USA and then south to South America. I have stipulated that I want Carnet cover for every country which requires one. In essence I will not need my carnet until Canada or Mexico because the other countries en-route do not require one (UK RESIDENT ONLY). For this section of the Journey the fee will be £10.000 which is actually 30k cheaper than I thought it would be, this could well increase when I want cover for India! There are a couple of options to raise this fee.
a. Bank Bond
b. Insurance Cover
Campbell and Irvine (+44 (0207) 9376981) rates for insurance are consistent, namely 5% of carnet price plus 5% tax. The A.A. charge aprox £90 to raise the Carnet paper work. I valued the bike at £6.000 and informed them it was only one year old. The total cost of carnet and insurance for the carnet is £625.00. This I am really happy with. If you can obtain a Bank Guarantee it is possible to raise a carnet and travel the world for five years for only £500 plus bank bond fees. I have been investigating numerous Visa Agencies as they could well be need for places like SUDAN and IRAN. We would have been on the road for nearly two years when we hit Sudan and apparently you can not get a visa from a neighbouring country so it makes sense to have your contacts in place. It is along time off but place like IRAN and SUDAN are so politically volatile it is safe to assume it may get worse before it gets better. A couple of UK based VISA Agencies
a. VISA SERVICE
First 48 Limited, 17 Tremona Road, Southampton, Hampshire, S016 6HR UK 44 (0)845 130 2002 - RALPH
b. VISA SERVICE
TRAVCOUR 44 (0)207 2235295 - AMANDA (Apparently TRAVCOUR are more able to assist travellers that require VISA support whilst on the road.
CASSEL - BELGIUM GS RALLY 6 MAY 01
Romantic Jeff and a couple of the lads from the Belgium Club.
Last Sunday me, Sir Alex and Monika headed for France for a meeting with other members from GSCLUBUK and member from GSCLUB BELGIUM. This was a 70 Mile off road course which I completed two up with Monika. (See www.gsclubuk.com ). I must thank Rudi and all the organizers for a fantastic Rally and extremely warm welcome. The next big event in Belgium is the EUROPEAN meet Easter 2002.
Rudi Right and a new friend on the Left, Sir Alex looking Sexy
Sir Alex after Cassel - Stopped Over for my drink of Hot Chocolate
I stopped off in Dorchester to see my Pal Dave Wyndham for my Regular Hot drink en-route Plymouth but I did not catch the early worm, so continued on to the Little Chef in Dorchester to see my friend in there. If you want a fantastic breakfast and a friendly chat the little chef will oblige.
26 APRIL 01 JUST LIKE BUSES / TRAVEL ICONS
(On going Project- Russia and Siberia)
We have been banging our heads against the door for the past few weeks trying to arrange Visa's for RUSSIA, SIBERIA, KAZAKHSTAN and MONGOLIA. To obtain a visa is easy but to obtain a business VISA and then enter the country and travel too Siberia on a bike was proving a problem. Not many business people travel to AGM's on R1150GS do they.
Then today I checked my email and I had five offers of support. One from Peter Theuwissen who recently completed a four year journey around the world who recommended www.travel2russia.com and then one from Helge Pederson who recommended http://www.mircorp.com and finally Eric via TYNDA who have friends in Siberia that can assist us with a VISA. Three modern day Overlander Icons, personal heroes of mine. In addition two Russian travel companies have been in contact and have been extremely helpful. http://www.ostwest.com http://visitsiberia.com Both these companies have been proactive and professional and we now have to review the small print to see what would be best for us and our journey. But I feel a million times better than this time yesterday.
Simon McCarthy and his lovely girlfriend Gorgy depart the UK at the same time as us en-route China. He has suggested we meet up in Russia or Mongolia and today Helge Pederson informed me that our paths would also cross in Russia. as he will be on his famous GLOBE TROTTERS TOUR.
I ordered some more parts from John Hill, TOURATECH UK. I was recently in contact with Steve Raucher who advised me to obtain spare bash plate connectors as the roads are so bad they receive a considerable amount of ware, this I did. I also know now what other modifications I require and the first two on my list will be the Highly Recommended P & P SEATING. They modify existing bike seats and after my Sahara trip my main priority was Comfy seat and Ohlins suspension. Apparently P and P inject the seats with silicon, I wonder if they will have some spare for the wife.
PROPOSED LOGO DESIGN FOR GSCLUBUK
24 APRIL 01 BACK HOME, HUMAN NATURE
(On going Project- Russia and Siberia)
I returned home today after two weeks assisting in the Foot and Mouth crisis. I was an unwilling volunteer when the shout first came for assistance. It had nothing to-do with not wanting to help, it had everything to-do with me being an animal lover and the thought of witnessing the Killing of sheep, Lambs, cattle and goats made me feel uncomfortable to put it mildly. I left today feeling satisfied that I had made my contribution. Everybody involved is working flat out to assist the farmers. The days are long and everyday is a working day but everybody is committed to the cause. I am now completely knackered but also sad to be leaving such a great bunch of guys. I have nothing but respect for the farmers I have met these past two weeks, their resilience and commitment is inspiring.
I have currently over two hundred emails in my in tray, two of which are from the opposite ends of the planet. One from a BMW dealership, "MORTON'S BMW" in Virginia USA, from Steve Anderson anderson@ns.summit.net who have offered to host me and Monika and while they check / Service our bikes. The second was from BRACKEN of London, famous for their off road equipment, they are offering sponsorship support during our around the world tour. CONTINENTAL have also offered sponsor support. I have made it clear I want to give something before I receive anything, so I shall only be taking assistance at the end of each continent. If for what ever reason we do not complete a continent then the sponsorship would stop. Rest assured gentlemen, we will complete this world tour.
Two weeks after my crash with a French coach driver my panniers have finally gone in for repair, thanks you Marine Fabrications of Plymouth. The first bike service after my Sahara trip is booked for Monday. The meeting with the DFEE has been postponed until 1400 on the 9th of May.
I am now committing my self to the planning of my around the world trip and GSCLUBUK will for now, have to take a back seat.
(On going Project- Russia and Siberia)
10 APRIL 01 CRASH . GSCLUBUK . MEETING WITH DFEE
It has been a busy couple of weeks not helped when I was knocked off Sir Alex by a French Coach, damage was minimum and I personally received scuffed knees and wounded pride. I have been preoccupied with setting up GSCLUBUK The task has been made so much easier because of the help received from my Pal Paul Grove. I have now established numerous contacts for a VISA application and received a lot of help and advice from fellow Overlander's. The biggest warning came from HEATHER an established traveller who warned me that should I get to socialise with Russian families and they brake out a bottle of VODKA , they will be offended if I leave before the bottle is finished. (I can live with that, providing they have some orange and ice). I am really grateful for the help received as clearly they remember all the hard work it took to complete their travels.
I have confirmed a meeting at Westminster for the 25 April where we can discuss my ideas for Interaction with Schools as we travel the world. This for me will add a sense of purpose to our journey.
Monika is both restless and excited as she wants to set off yesterday! She is even brushing up on her Russian and Spanish. Clever girl speaks seven languages. She has made her mind up on a BMW 650 GS which will need some modification as the tank only holds 17 litres (200 miles). January 2002 is when we can apply for our VISA's. We will not be alone as we head north towards ST Petersburg as a few members of GSCLUBUK wish to travel as far as ST Petersburg with us. Motoaventures have offered to take Monika on a few days off road training in the Pyrenees which is really appreciated.
Well that's until the 25 April as I off to assist with the Foot and Mouth Crisis.
29 MARCH 01 RUSSIAN VISA
I sent for information from http://www.infinity.ru/index-6.htm which at the time of viewing looked really good, but alas to date there has been no reply. However a motor bike club in St Petersburg http://www.biker.ru/fort/ have been proactive. Yes a Business Visa can be arranged but it costs $60 for an introduction letter and the purpose of the visit is "Language Course !" These guys are proactive and you should get a reply within 48 hours.
Received some good news the other day, we will have company enroute to Russia as a few members of www.gsclubuk.com will be travelling as far as St Petersburg with me (Mike and Paul). Only other news is that Monika will now be taking her own bike a BMW 650 GS on the around the world trip.
23 MARCH 01 NOW FOR THE BIG ONE.
Did the Sahara trip change me? Has it changed my outlook on my planned Around the World Trip.
There are a lot of people out there who now know exactly how I am feeling, now that I have returned. I am being positive, because I have further planning to do but I look a head to my travels with confidence and excitement. It is strange being back and each morning is the worst as one gets into the habit of packing the bike and setting off. I daily ritual that was part of my life for the last two months. Twelve months to kill, this will be hard, bloody hard. What has changed since I went, well that is easy. Material things are know longer a factor in my life. I wouldn't think twice about selling everything I had, as long as I had money in the bank and the bike was packed and I had a visa for the next leg of my journey this would make me the happiest man in the world. The worst day of my life was being south in Dahkla and knowing I had to return North because of work commitments. At least I had the opportunity to make the journey for that I am grateful.
Anything Learnt? Yes be flexible and don't plan to much. You will laugh having now visited my site. But remember the whole theme of my site, and that is I am a novice and it is about my planning for a around the world trip. So if I believe there is anything that may be useful to somebody else I include it. You cant live be a schedule while you are on the road, well you can but it will take a lot of fun out of it. There are so many variables that will conflict with your schedule and if your not careful you will then have to play catch up and that will take the fun out of the journey. I also took to much equipment, far to much. My policy from now on will be, limit the equipment and clothing to two panniers, one soft bag and one tank bag. That's it. I will continue to travel with spare tyres as this makes little difference to the weight of the performance. Any body seeing the pictures of the bike fully laden in the Sahara would have laughed at the sight of the gear I carried. But for me this was a practice for our transit across Russia and Siberia. I wanted to see how the bike handled whilst fully laden under extreme conditions. I achieved my objective and now because of my journey, I shall invest in some Ohlins and Corbin seats.
What is the next stage of planning? Russia and Siberia. This is going to be a problem as to transit Russia you need invitations. Invitation from friends (Personal VISA) Invitation from a company or Business (Business Visa) Invitation from a Travel Company or apply as a tourist (Tourist Visa). The cheapest option is the Personal Visa but this takes three to four months to organise. The best option for me will be a Business visa which will allow me twelve months to cross Russia. A tourist Visa is easily obtainable but it is then a problem getting your bike into the country. As I get my information together I will add it to the Russian section.
21 MARCH 01 ADDITIONAL MODIFICATIONS I WOULD MAKE AFTER THE SAHARA TRIP
While it is fresh in my mind I will outline the essential equipment and modifications I will take prior to my next trip.
(only my personal opinion)
- Extend side stand - This was the biggest pain in the bum. I will extend by at least 1 and half inches. When bike fully loaded it always felt like it was going to tip over when on the side stand.
- Ohlins suspension (depends on how much weight you intend to take) but many a time my stock suspension bottomed out.
- ACRABIS hand protectors (Mine broke)
- Flat plate on bottom of side stand (4 inch sq minimum
- Touratech bag straps x 3 (I took only two.)
- I am having lips fabricated onto the rear of my panniers to hold water / fuel canisters
- External petrol filter.
- Spider straps
- Petrol tap (fits onto fuel pipe at the bottom of Touratech tank) I forgot mine
- Two sets of keys / Alarm.
- SCOTT Goggles
- I will limit my belongings to 1 rear bag,1 tank bag, 2 x panniers, be disciplined.
- Spare Bash Plate Connectors.