Blogs from Siberia, Russia, Europe - page 57

Day 106, 14th September Berezovka - Ujar - Borodino PLEASE NOTE: This travel journal is a “MEMORABLOG”, therefore, it took place 5 years ago exactly to the date. It is being typed word for word from the handwritten journals of Bikepacker, Andy Ganner. So, basically, we can’t be met on the road somewhere as some people have thought, and some of the places we stayed will no longer exist, and the visa beauracracy we went through may have vanished - or, got worse! Still, enjoy the stories - and be inspired. Cycling today was the hardest yet. There was a headwind, it was freezing cold, and it rained on and off all day. This, and all the hills, made very miserable going. So many cars and trucks tooted at us, the drivers smiling and waving. They ... read more

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Nachdem ich mich in der Zeit in der Trassib an das nette und gemuetliche Leben meiner Mitbewohner gewoehnt hatte, traf mich die Wirklichkeit in Irkutsk umso heftiger. Meine Bahnfahrkarte wollte ich mir kaufen fuer die Weiterfahrt nach Ulan Ude naechste Woche. Nicht so einfach, kein Schalter ist der richtige. Warten soll ich, in einem Raum ohne Menschen auf einem Sofa. Die Schalter sind geoeffnet. Warten, ok. Nach geraumer Zeit frage ich, warten auf was. Kann sie mir nicht erklaeren, einfach warten. Von Freundlichkeit ist natuerlich keine Rede. Ok, ich warte. Es passiert nichts. Langsam naehere ich mich den Fenstern der Schaltern und stelle fest, dass die Damen ihr morgendliches Fruehstueck in geselliger Rund einnehmen. So laeuft der Hase also. Also kein Ticket, ich fahre in die Stadt und versuche eine Bleibe zu finden. Diese finde ich ... read more

Day 104, 12th September 2001. Krasnojarsk We awoke late and set off from the boat at noon to find the hotel where Rory and Toby were staying. Yesterday, we couldn’t find a bike shop to get my wheel repaired and ended up being driven around the city by a guy determined to help us. We ended up at a car repair garage where two burly Russians man-handled my back wheel in order to get the spokes in I needed. This required grinding down the edge of the block so that spokes could be popped in. They charged nothing for their time… thanks guys! With my new spokes, the wheel felt better and we found the Hotel Kedr on the edge of the city. It was 300 roubles a double, no bad! Galina, the owner, could speak ... read more

Eek! Snow. Appreciate it's supposed to be cold in Siberia, but the white stuff is not due for another month and we are due to spend a night in a tent. We say goodbye to our train in Irkusk, and go in search of thermal pants. We are staying for three nights, one camping by lake Baikal and two with a lovely Russian lady Alexandra, who does a mean line in dumplings. Drive to beautiful lake Baikal to meet our trek guide, an impressive survival expert, we will call Ray Meers-ski, who insists he does not need to sleep in a tent, despite the snow. Paul and I spend a very cold night camping on a beach and cooking on an open fire. Our friends however, saw the man in question back in the local town ... read more