Volgograd journey

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Left Moscow Wednesday, two long days on bike, 450km or more, easy if roads are good, but slow in heavy traffic and bumpy roads. The cafes well what can I say - don't take more than sheets loo roll or U will get grief!


Tambor - Bastion hotel was nice, good sauna suits, we had basic version with meat and potatoes for supper - served in room.



Fixed puncture in spare tube, but re-tie of tent was inadequate, it let go & jambed back wheel at 60mph, skid was no fun we were lucky. Then bike refused to start in Vologorad while looking for hotel all in a rather long day.



Volograd, Kristine Hotel was brill, big outdoor pool with diving board, lots of sunshine, with small shop nearby.



Volograd, Lady with sword "The Motherland Calls", is 85m tall icon statue overlooking river, huge & has more shout about her than Angel of North in Gateshead, but sadly foundations are giving way - will they maintain it?

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Photos

"The Motherland Calls"
simply an enormouse statue, wth lady shouting across river waving a sword - iconic.
Tample be sider her is a fair size itself.

v_cafe1
Bustling, but could be anywhere on Asia too.

v_bikes
Less busy cafe, bit shade and relax for 30min.

IMG_20140809_164208
More images of busy cafe on M6, about 200 lorries resting or being fixed behind these shops.

v_bastion
Nice place to stay in Tambov.

Russian bikers
Brief chat with this couple, heading south too. We admired their chrome Harley, they liked suspension on Triumph - says something about roads, don't know how they cope.