Russia 2
29. May 2009 — Back in the USSR - ehm Russia
Slowish start for 150 km to Semey. Got stopped at police check point going into and going out. Then continued to the border. Very strange after 600 miles of steppe and then 40 miles before the border you suddenly have pine forest. Reminded me a bit of California. Sandy ground and forest….
30. May 2009 — Altai Region with Barnaul bikers
Got woken at 4am by rain drops in my face. Literally jumpt out of my sleeping bag trying to get my stuff into the dry. Two minutes later it was over. So back to sleep…
31. May 2009 — Ride thru Altai Region and back to Barnaul
Wake up call was the roah of a Honda Fireblade 
Everybody headed of for a spin. Tried to keep up with the sports bikes but not a chance in hell. So rode with Vova who traveled more at my pace. 10 miles down the road we stopped for breakfast but Vova and myself actually wanted to ride some more…
01. June 2009 — Red Tape & Oil Change
Vova called in sick this morning using my bad tummy as excuse. We set off to get the visa registered. Full load of Russian red tape….
02. June 2009 — New chain and making my way east
Set off after I discovered that I missed a time zone change. Said goodbye and my heart felt thanks to Vova and Jenya. They were amazingly kind and hopefully I can repay them next time they make it to Germany. The drive was uneventful to Novosibirsk, which I just drove thru to continue on to Kemelovo….
03. June 2009 — Uneventful to Krasnoyarsk
Again mainly uneventful day got close to Krasnoyarsk. Chain is holding. Road was good but kind of boring thru endless birch tree forest…
04. June 2009 — Taste of Siberian Roads
Just had a tea at the hotel cafe and set off. Headed into Krasnoyarsk to find ATM. Major hassle, but in the end was successful. So back on the main road to Kansk…
05. June 2009 — Nearly in Irkutsk
Not sure how but I lost 2 hours due to time zone change, was supposed to be only one. Dull day, cloud covered but at least dry. Cold as f*** though….
06. June 2009 — Bike.All MC Irkutsk
Rain all night. So packed up in the rain and had some problems to get back onto the road. The dirt road had of course turned into mud over night….
07. June 2009 — This day did not happen
Ok, my plan to do some sightseeing went out the window. Woke up at 12:30 pm with terrible hangover. Day did not really happen at all. Watched some TV, had food. Some people from the night before showed up and I talked to them for a while. Earlier to bed tonight.
08. June 2009 — Tire change and three new spokes
Slept long again. Early in the afternoon Peter showed up to get my bike tires changed and get some replacement spokes…
09. June 2009 — Definition of a Road is different in Siberia
Set off late around 2 pm and with the help of the GPS got out of town on what I thought was the right road. Good tarmac road at first, then changed to good gravel. Continued on and suddenly had Lake Baikal in front of me. That was wrong….
10. June 2009 — Great time in Khuzir
Let of dew in the early hours so had to wait for the sun to dry my sleeping bag. Set off and was very careful this time. Discovered the puddle beside the rut I got stuck in for the first time was actually way firmer ground and water only a couple of inches deep.
11. June 2009 — Nice day on Olkhon Island
Woke up early because I could hear people either in the next room or on the balcony talking. Just couldn’t get back to sleep. So at breaky Rainer and myself decided to go for a walk along the beach. Just didn’t want to go anywhere on the bike…
12. June 2009 — Back in Irkutsk
Couldn’t get my ass in gear this morning. As usual. Only left Nikita’s at lunch for the exhausting drive to the ferry, where I just missed one and ended up waiting for an hour. Again chaos getting off the boat….