A short trip around the Black Sea

rtwdoug · 07-03-2012, 02:18 AM

Wanna follow along? SPOT tracker link;

http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?...b4de3265776584

This summer, I'm doing a short trip, as I was busy at home, & late getting to europe. Plus, I have to go back early to race in the Cannonball on my '28 Indian from New York to San Francisco.
I've been wanting to ride around the Black Sea for a few years, but never was able to do it. I had planned to do it on my 48 Indian in 08, but the crappy US shipping company I was using screwed up the crate full of bikes I was shipping over, and I had to cancel. In hindsight, that was probably a good thing, as I would have been in Georgia when Russia invaded.
In a way, that would have been quite the adventure, but being in a war zone on a 60 year old bike just doesnt appeal to me much. I've been to several places right after a war, but not during one.

Also, Im not going solo this time. I had planned on it, and Poly (my girlfriend) and I had planned on a southern euro trip in May, but due to commitments, I couldnt get over here in time. So, I told her she could do the Black Sea with me. (gotta keep the gals happy) So I probably will play it a little safe, but theres still some areas we will go thru that are a bit sketchy. Chechnya, Dagestan, & Abkhazia

all 3 are on the 'travellers advisory warning' list, so that means they MUST be interesting!

But Im sure just like other sketchy countries I have ridden thru that are on that list (turkmenistan, transneister, kosovo, iraq, canada, etc)
the people will be nice, and I'll have fun!

Since neither of us is Russian, I dont think we will have many problems in the first two, and I havent heard of any fighting for the last few months (they are trying to break away from russia) Whether this means that things have calmed down, or all hell is fixin to break loose again, I dunno.
Abkhazia is a breakaway province of Georgia. Its now under Russian control.
I had planned to go clockwise around the sea, but you cannot go to ABK and then to georgia, as the georgians are not happy with the situation there, & may throw you in jail if they see evidence that you have been to ABK. So GEO first, then to ABK (providing our visa requests are granted)
After GEO, we'll head east thru Dagestan to the Caspian sea, then back thru Chechnya to the Black sea coast, & down to ABK, then back north & west to Ukraine, Moldova & Romania.

Of course, I planned the trip to be able to hit a couple biker parties, one in Turkey, and one in Sevastopol, on the Crimean.

the trip should take about a month, & we leave tomorrow.
Mileage looks to be about 6000km (4000 miles)

Oh, and the bikes, Poly will be riding her Yamaha Tenere, & I'll be on my Harley Dirtster

Doug

Deuce · 07-03-2012, 02:24 AM

IN like a dirty shirt

Motoranch · 07-03-2012, 03:35 AM

In

Wish I could call a month long trip short !

Omar · 07-03-2012, 04:33 AM

Doug,

Do have a great trip, and please keep a log and lots of pics. You are going to have ball. Wish you a wonderful and safe trip.

adaleb · 07-03-2012, 08:27 AM

Enjoy. "And take lots of pictures...."

Radioman · 07-03-2012, 08:33 AM

Ride Doug Ride

GypsyWriter · 07-03-2012, 01:58 PM

GB · 07-03-2012, 05:15 PM

Good to hear you're sharing the ride with us and Poly

ttomek · 07-04-2012, 07:05 AM

Hi Doug,

I hit this thread just after I've started wondering where should I go this year for holiday. So I've started to search 'kosovo' and your post was on the first serach page. I'm wondering why, even if you're not going there ...

I'm a bit disappointed you're not following some good example and still planning to go there on two wheels

all the best for You and Poly,
Tomek.

D.T. · 07-04-2012, 07:20 AM

Holy shit. What a trip! Looks like he's headed to Istanbul.

Looks like a bucket list trip for me.

rtwdoug · 07-04-2012, 11:45 AM

Made it to istanbul, Poly is freaked by the traffic. theres alot of it, but Ive seen much worse drivers.

I got my visa approved for Abkhazia, 3 days after I emailed the application, I have to pay 10usd when I pick it up in Sukhumi.

Why cant all visas be this easy???

Oh, and on Kosovo, I rode thru there several years ago. it seems alot safer now.

Doug

L.B.S. · 07-05-2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtwdoug

But Im sure just like other sketchy countries I have ridden thru that are on that list ( canada, etc) the people will be nice, and I'll have fun!

lol heh heh

Kristof Granit · 07-05-2012, 11:25 PM

Subscribed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtwdoug

After GEO, we'll head east thru Dagestan to the Caspian sea, then back thru Chechnya to the Black sea coast,

Sochi/Novorossiysk last December:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=36

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtwdoug

Of course, I planned the trip to be able to hit a couple biker parties, one in Turkey, and one in Sevastopol, on the Crimean.

Sevastopol July 20&21st
http://wolfshow.ru/ru/programma/bayk...012-sevastopol

With my friends we intend to leave Novorossiysk early morning the 18th to catch one of the first ferry.
http://pereprava.com.ua/

AlpineGuerrilla · 07-07-2012, 10:55 AM

Sounds like a nice trip. The Caucasus is a very interesting and beautiful place, perfect for motorcycle adventures.

Have a nice ride, doug. Looking forward to your pics.

bk brkr baker · 07-09-2012, 08:13 AM

So, what's up ?

I hope you avoided the floods.

07-03-2012, 02:18 AM	#1
rtwdoug ^OP prominent underachiever Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Alabamski Oblast, Redneckistan Oddometer: 3,041	A short trip around the Black Sea Wanna follow along? SPOT tracker link; http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?...b4de3265776584 This summer, I'm doing a short trip, as I was busy at home, & late getting to europe. Plus, I have to go back early to race in the Cannonball on my '28 Indian from New York to San Francisco. I've been wanting to ride around the Black Sea for a few years, but never was able to do it. I had planned to do it on my 48 Indian in 08, but the crappy US shipping company I was using screwed up the crate full of bikes I was shipping over, and I had to cancel. In hindsight, that was probably a good thing, as I would have been in Georgia when Russia invaded. In a way, that would have been quite the adventure, but being in a war zone on a 60 year old bike just doesnt appeal to me much. I've been to several places right after a war, but not during one. Also, Im not going solo this time. I had planned on it, and Poly (my girlfriend) and I had planned on a southern euro trip in May, but due to commitments, I couldnt get over here in time. So, I told her she could do the Black Sea with me. (gotta keep the gals happy) So I probably will play it a little safe, but theres still some areas we will go thru that are a bit sketchy. Chechnya, Dagestan, & Abkhazia all 3 are on the 'travellers advisory warning' list, so that means they MUST be interesting! But Im sure just like other sketchy countries I have ridden thru that are on that list (turkmenistan, transneister, kosovo, iraq, canada, etc) the people will be nice, and I'll have fun! Since neither of us is Russian, I dont think we will have many problems in the first two, and I havent heard of any fighting for the last few months (they are trying to break away from russia) Whether this means that things have calmed down, or all hell is fixin to break loose again, I dunno. Abkhazia is a breakaway province of Georgia. Its now under Russian control. I had planned to go clockwise around the sea, but you cannot go to ABK and then to georgia, as the georgians are not happy with the situation there, & may throw you in jail if they see evidence that you have been to ABK. So GEO first, then to ABK (providing our visa requests are granted) After GEO, we'll head east thru Dagestan to the Caspian sea, then back thru Chechnya to the Black sea coast, & down to ABK, then back north & west to Ukraine, Moldova & Romania. Of course, I planned the trip to be able to hit a couple biker parties, one in Turkey, and one in Sevastopol, on the Crimean. the trip should take about a month, & we leave tomorrow. Mileage looks to be about 6000km (4000 miles) Oh, and the bikes, Poly will be riding her Yamaha Tenere, & I'll be on my Harley Dirtster Doug __________________ 2011 Magadan (I hope!) (03 Harley 1200 Dirtster) 2010 Europe & the Middle East (75 Harley Bobber) 2009 Around the World ('62 Harley Chopper) 2008 Europe (TDM & Guzzi Falcone) 2007 Europe (TDM850) 2006 Around the World ('48 Indian Chief) 2005 Europe & N Africa (KLR650) 2004 Europe (KLR650) www.motosapiens.org My bike hotel in Bulgaria. ADVriders get 1st beer free! rtwdoug screwed with this post 07-03-2012 at 02:29 AM

07-03-2012, 02:24 AM	#2
Deuce Crazy Canuck Joined: Nov 2001 Location: Vancouver Island, Bitchin' Columbia, Canada Oddometer: 2,392	IN like a dirty shirt __________________ Stay Calm, Be Brave, Wait for the Sign.

07-03-2012, 03:35 AM	#3
Motoranch Trail Boss Joined: Sep 2008 Location: The Motoranch MD Oddometer: 176	In Wish I could call a month long trip short ! __________________ KTM 450exc Ural Sportsman 2wd H-D Ultra Classic YZ 250 Misc others

07-03-2012, 04:33 AM	#4
Omar Muddling thru Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 133	Please log your trip on Adv Rider Doug, Do have a great trip, and please keep a log and lots of pics. You are going to have ball. Wish you a wonderful and safe trip.

07-03-2012, 08:33 AM	#6
Radioman dreaming adventure Joined: Dec 2005 Location: GDay from Australia Oddometer: 4,167	Ride Doug Ride __________________ Onto Chapter 3 of my life...... with Faith, Hope and Courage! New thread 5/11/2011 http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...0#post15950430

07-03-2012, 08:27 AM	#5
adaleb Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta Oddometer: 21	Enjoy. "And take lots of pictures...."

07-03-2012, 01:58 PM	#7
GypsyWriter Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Hanford CA Oddometer: 1,024	__________________ Sarah 2012 R1200GS Rallye - Gypsy 2003 R1150GSA with DMC sidecar Ask A Self-Publisher "Don't be careful, be awesome." - Cornfed

07-03-2012, 05:15 PM	#8
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,466	Good to hear you're sharing the ride with us and Poly __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

07-04-2012, 07:05 AM	#9
ttomek n00b Joined: Dec 2009 Location: PL Oddometer: 2	Hi Doug, I hit this thread just after I've started wondering where should I go this year for holiday. So I've started to search 'kosovo' and your post was on the first serach page. I'm wondering why, even if you're not going there ... I'm a bit disappointed you're not following some good example and still planning to go there on two wheels all the best for You and Poly, Tomek.

07-04-2012, 07:20 AM	#10
D.T. One wheel wonder... Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Moneyapolis, MN Oddometer: 6,318	Holy shit. What a trip! Looks like he's headed to Istanbul. Looks like a bucket list trip for me. __________________ "Tough times don't last, but tough people do." Robert A. Schuler

07-04-2012, 11:45 AM	#11
rtwdoug ^OP prominent underachiever Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Alabamski Oblast, Redneckistan Oddometer: 3,041	Made it to istanbul, Poly is freaked by the traffic. theres alot of it, but Ive seen much worse drivers. I got my visa approved for Abkhazia, 3 days after I emailed the application, I have to pay 10usd when I pick it up in Sukhumi. Why cant all visas be this easy??? Oh, and on Kosovo, I rode thru there several years ago. it seems alot safer now. Doug __________________ 2011 Magadan (I hope!) (03 Harley 1200 Dirtster) 2010 Europe & the Middle East (75 Harley Bobber) 2009 Around the World ('62 Harley Chopper) 2008 Europe (TDM & Guzzi Falcone) 2007 Europe (TDM850) 2006 Around the World ('48 Indian Chief) 2005 Europe & N Africa (KLR650) 2004 Europe (KLR650) www.motosapiens.org My bike hotel in Bulgaria. ADVriders get 1st beer free!

07-07-2012, 10:55 AM	#14
AlpineGuerrilla Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Basel, Switzerland Oddometer: 344	Sounds like a nice trip. The Caucasus is a very interesting and beautiful place, perfect for motorcycle adventures. Have a nice ride, doug. Looking forward to your pics. __________________ Russia and Scandinavia 2011 Ride Report Balkan Exploration 2012 Ride Report

07-09-2012, 08:13 AM	#15
bk brkr baker Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: The Bluegrass Oddometer: 4,160	So, what's up ? I hope you avoided the floods. __________________ RR's Catnip Hill to Peoria ___Loopin' Seattle to WestFest It started with some beers __1500 miles to the Dentist Skeedaddle to Seattle______ A 30 year old on a Three Flags Run

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