Russia 3
12. July 2009 — Day exploring Ulaan Ude
Otto and myself went over to the hotel where Uli & Martina were staying to have breaky with them. When it got to pay we only had to pay the juice we ordered extra. So Otto and I got our breaky sponsored by the hotel. Thanks for that…
13. July 2009 — On goes the journey or not?
Free breaky again 
When Otto and myself got back to our hotel the power had gone. Not good when you have a room on the ninth floor. Bringing the luggage down in full gear was a pain….
Finally left Ulaan-Ude at 11:30 after I had breakfast with the others. The girls from reception asked if they could take our photographs so we positioned ourselves and the bikes in front of the hotel…
15. July 2009 — Low milage day
Took it easy during the morning and wanted to leave at around 2pm. Toni and Vlad went to get oil for Toni’s bike. They were gone for a good while and when the got back an hour later it started pouring with rain…
16. July 2009 — Long day but got help
Road pretty bad. Same as yesterday. On the way I met 3 Italians on two BMW bikes. They were on their way from Australia to Italy….
17. July 2009 — To Zeya River and inspecting Bridge Security there
Early start and on the road at 9am. Just had some tea and cookies for breaky in Sasha’s apartment. He brings me to the road leading out of town and we say our goodbyes….
18. July 2009 — Longest Day to Khabarovsk
Another long day actually the longest so far with 460+ miles. Got woken at 5am by Sasha for chai. I had to be gone by 6am because the boss would show up. Drove all day because I wanted to make it to Khabarovsk…
19. July 2009 — Uneventful day towards Vladivostok
Early start again. I was on the road by 9:30. Not much to report. Weather was changeable with rain showers and sun for a few minutes…
21. July 2009 — In Vladivostok with the Iron Tigers
So on the road again for the last 180 miles to Vladivostok. On a petrol stop I talked to some Russian bikers. Indeed there was a bike meeting approx. 60 miles before Vladivostok. Had lunch and thought it would be an easy 100 miles…
Guess what the weather is like. Yep you are right - pissing rain. Didn’t do much today. Chatted to people. More or less. Michael tried to organize some spokes for me. So kind of waiting what’s going to happen. Definitely not the party place that the Irkutsk club house has been.
22. July 2009 — Getting Ferry Tickets
Again a not very exciting day. Well more happening then yesterday. Got my ferry tickets. Michael took me first to the hotel were they used to sell them at the travel desk, but not any more and we had to go to the ferry terminal.
23. July 2009 — Bike Maintenance
Again a day of messing around on the bike. Changed the front brake pads which had lasted 15000 miles. Then took the exhaust apart….
24. July 2009 — Sightseeing in Vlad or not
So today I actually wanted to do some sightseeing but it was f***ing raining. Just did not feel like running around town in the bloody rain. Also most Russian town in the far east are not much to look at and from what I saw from the car/bike its thru for Vlad as well.
25. July 2009 — Leaving Russia
So today I will be leaving Russia with mixed feelings I have to say. The people I met were amazing, friendly and helpful. One regret I have is that I didn’t put more effort into learning the language…