East towards Volgograd
In one of the Douglas Adam’s Books he talks about this truck driver who without him knowing is a rain god. So he has 200 something different names for rain. Much like Inuit do for snow. Of course he is always pissed off. He would have to be really. Why am I bringing this up, because guess what, it was lashing down all day long. Started with light rain, then heavy showers in between and even when it didn’t rain for half an hour I got still soaked from the spray all the trucks were throwing up. I must be a rain god as well because weather wise this trip was not the bees knees. At least I’m not grumpy yet, spirits are still high….
So after 1.5 - 2 hours I pulled over into a roadside cafe, well shed that sells sodas, coffee, tea etc. Tried to warm up a bit. Did the same thing 2 hours later. Made 320 miles today which is actually a lot and involved about 8 hours driving. Tough. Also now that my ass is getting used to this my right shoulder is bothering me. Long hours riding in the same position does that. On nice twisty roads its not too bad because you move around on the bike to shift weight and you open/close the throttle more. Its motorways or like today straight country roads.
Along the M4 (main road connecting Moscow and the Black Sea) the speed traps continued (BTW not stationary, but cops with speed guns). When I moved away onto the M21 towards Volgograd at least the speed checks stopped somewhat. Still traffic checks every 20 - 30 miles.
Found a road side motel again. Lets face it camping was just not going to happen. By the time I stopped I was violently shivering and in desperate need of a hot shower and food. The food prices are pretty mad cheap. Example: 1 Pkt. Marlboro, 0.5 l Pepsi, bowl of soup, kebab & mashed potato, small side salate for 6.50 Euro. The problem is just that I don’t have a clue what’s on the menu. I now totally understand how Mick in Japan must feel and Russian only has 20 something letters and not thousands of signs like Japanese. Still getting there, learning more and more words every day.
Finished for today, had a beer while writing this and now smoke before going to bed.
Day 28
13. May 2009
Start: junction M4 - M29
End: Kalach-na Dony, Russia
Miles today: 320
Miles total: 3902
Odometer: 10025