Sibirsky Extreme 2012 - The Toughest Ride of Them All

[Colebatch]

Originally Posted by nachtflug

Hi. I hate to ask again but this is fascinating. I have a world map at work where I keep staring it and visualizing these pictures. Could you google earth the location of this from a relatively large scale so I (and everyone else) can orient this area? .

OK this is the whole of Kazakhstan on Google Earth ... we are in the white ring.



The evening we are up to ... evening Day 41, we are about 200 km (120 miles) west of the city of Semipalatinsk (Semey). The Soviet nuclear test site (also in the white ring) is about 160 km (100 miles) west of Semipalatinsk ... just 20-30 miles south-east of where we were camped.

If you stick these co-ords (N50.43803 E77.81421) in google earth or google maps then look at the satellite pics (zoom out to get some perspective) you will see a lot of target signs and huge bomb craters

[Scribe]

Semipalatinsk is often referred to as the USSR's equivalent to the Nevada Test Site, i.e. a place where they exploded lots of big, nuclear bombs back in the day. It will be interesting to see how close you can get. I wonder if our intrepid travelers take a dip in the (oddly circular) Lake Chagan!

[Colebatch]

Originally Posted by Scribe

Semipalatinsk is often referred to as the USSR's equivalent to the Nevada Test Site, i.e. a place where they exploded lots of big, nuclear bombs back in the day. It will be interesting to see how close you can get. I wonder if our intrepid travelers take a dip in the (oddly circular) Lake Chagan!

The Test area is huge ... If you look at the following article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semipalatinsk_Test_Site, we went through the are known as Experimental Field, where the above ground explosions took place and from there to Kurchatov (which was the Los Alamos of the Soviet Union) . Lake Chagan is in another part of the test site 100 km (60 miles) to the south east (Balapan region), so no we didnt pass by that one. But all will be revealed when we write up the next days travel stories :)

[grind]

But if you're looking for a bike that's slow, heavy, with shit susension, comedy brakes and unreliable too (why not go the whole hog?) do your brains in and try a KLR. It's the bike that does everything...badly!

The irony of this comment is hilarious

[Leo.G]

Walter, I have two questions...

Tell me, why do you prefer open face helmets to other types of helmets?
In all the photos I've seen that the rest of the crew is using the open face ones too..

Wouldn't a modular helmet be better for face protection if needed? And it would also be fresh... (I've read in one of your RR's that you like the open face ones because people can see your face and it's better for taking pics of them as you travel)
It's a little doubt I have had since I started reading this.. heh!

And the other question..
Can I take some pics of this thread for my personal photobucket album to share them with other mates in other forums (Just small Argentinian ones)

Thanks for reading and answering!
Keep it comming!
Greetings!

[Packer]

Was that rock platform a result of fused sand from a nuclear blast do you think?

[bwalsh]

Originally Posted by Leo.G

Walter, I have two questions...

Q: Tell me, why do you prefer open face helmets to other types of helmets?

A: I've read in one of your RR's that you like the open face ones because people can see your face and it's better for taking pics of them as you travel

You just answered your own question...

Great ride report everyone!

[Colebatch]

Originally Posted by Leo.G

Tell me, why do you prefer open face helmets to other types of helmets?

See the answer here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=109
Also ... they are a lot cooler in hot weather, and give you better visibility ... but the main reason is in the link above. As a side point ... if you are documenting the story or planning to document the story either on a forum via photographs like I am here, or in a DVD which I will make later, then being able to easily identify each character is a HUGE plus in the story telling process. You want the audience to get to know the individual characters on the trip, and even in these pics, thats so much easier with open faced helmets. We are born and programmed to recognise people by their faces. Thats why I specifically asked the riders coming along on this trip to wear open faced helmets if possible - cause I knew I would be documenting it.

Originally Posted by Leo.G

Can I take some pics of this thread for my personal photobucket album to share them with other mates in other forums (Just small Argentinian ones)

Sure ... you might as well link direct to the pic rather than download it and re upload it to the net again. Just copy the URL rather than copy the pic.

[nachtflug]

Originally Posted by Colebatch

OK this is the whole of Kazakhstan on Google Earth ... we are in the white ring towards the left.

The evening we are up to ... evening Day 41, we are about 200 km (120 miles) west of the city of Semipalatinsk (Semey). The Soviet nuclear test site (also in the white ring) is about 160 km (100 miles) west of Semipalatinsk ... just 20-30 miles south-east of where we were camped.

If you stick these co-ords (N50.43803 E77.81421) in google earth or google maps then look at the satellite pics (zoom out to get some perspective) you will see a lot of target signs and huge bomb craters

thanks (again) for taking the time to do that it really hits home when you can look at a global map and see exactly where these pictures are coming from. Kazakhstan looks to be about 1/2 the size of the US so from my perspective you're riding from Texas to Maine across a whole lot of nothing. When we ride (with the exception of Dr. Rock and Francine) across states in the US we have large travel centers with gas, hot meals, ice cream, showers, internet, beer, wine, etc. etc. and there are no lack of them. and when I was doing some cross country touring on the major highways (interstates) I remember how your mind would wander as the miles rolled by. but man you guys are out in the middle of NOWHERE I can't imagine the isolation knowing there isn't a nice motel waiting with warm bed and shower and someone to deliver a hot pizza whenver you feel like picking up the phone. fascinating. I'd like to try it in a LARGE group but man you people are brave!!

thank you again.

[Yellow Pig]

Seems like the Schuberth J1 might be the ticket for this. All the benefits of an open face helmet and the protection of a full face helmet so you don't knock your teeth out.

[Leo.G]

Well, thanks for the quick response..
I think that the fact of using open faced helmets shocks me a little because I've always used full face helmets, in fact, my bike is an On-Off and I use a AGV K3.. I fell the open faced as a little insecure, but I see your point, and totally agree with you..

And thanks for letting me share the photos!
Greetings!

[juames]

First Chernobyl and then this! Did you guys glow in the dark when you got home?

Awesome story telling BTW.

Originally Posted by Colebatch

The Test area is huge ... If you look at the following article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semipalatinsk_Test_Site, we went through the are known as Experimental Field, where the above ground explosions took place and from there to Kurchatov (which was the Los Alamos of the Soviet Union) . Lake Chagan is in another part of the test site 100 km (60 miles) to the south east (Balapan region), so no we didnt pass by that one. But all will be revealed when we write up the next days travel stories :)

[Nomadix]

Originally Posted by Packer

Was that rock platform a result of fused sand from a nuclear blast do you think?

I was wondering the same. I also wonder what the residual contamination levels are like in this area, which is regarded as the worst radioactive mess on the planet.

Where did you guys draw your water from while in Semipalatinsk, and did you at any time, breathe the dust of a rider in front of you?

I'm not sure that I would choose to take my vacations in Chernobyl or Semipalatinsk.

[Franck B]

I was wondering why it´s always Rod / Terry towing combination. It gives me an impression of
Rod = VIP
Terry = service
Tell me I´m wrong...
Did you count the total towing miles ? World record of offroad towing distance ?
At this point the KTM failed again and again, why didn´t Rod + KTM get on a truck to get his bike fixed a few 100km away, he would then catch up by the road, the trip is long enough and you guys are still somewhat slower offroad ?

[Prutser]

This day of riding was just like what I've hoped for. Riding with an endless view and no sign of civilization.
And camping with this view was awesome.

After camp was set and dinner was finished me and Beam(st)er took our binoculars to do some birdwatching in the area.
After spotting a golden eagle,steppe eagle,some lesser kestrels, rose coloured starling,crane's,black lark. Beam(st)er went back to the tent to get some sleep.

It was already getting dark when I heard Nightjar's starting to get active. They make a strange rattling noise which I recognized.
Trying to get a good view of them I followed some for some time, wandering further into the hills next to our campsite.
When it was totally dark I walked back to the tent.....................But I had a strange feeling I was being watched.....