The Russians Are Coming!

[strikingviking]

Here we go again amigos. This year because of his outstanding service to fellow adventure motorcyclists in Siberia, Pete from Berkeley and I have nominated Russian citizen, Alexey Gaydukov, AKA Shustrik, to be this years guest for a sixty-day North American motorcycle tour. Over the past several years, Alex has worked tirelessly to aid international travelers beginning their Russian journeys in Vladivostok, and as a joint expression of our gratitude, we felt it appropriate to invite him over for a reciprocal taste of North American hospitality.

As we all did before with CJ, this is a collective effort of pooling cash, places to stay, riding gear and a motorcycle. Alex's visa was approved and stamped today and we are scheduling his air reservation for September 1, 2008. Initial cost for air travel is approximately $2,5000usd but not only does Garth have $1,000usd leftover from CJ's trip, we already have and additional $500 pledged. Garth will soon be posting instructions for donations to a PayPal account and Pete will provide additional information about Alex.

We all know that economic times are tough this year and money ain't everything--if you can spare a couch, meal or just an encouraging letter to welcome our guest, it would be greatly appreciated by all. I'll start by kicking in the first hundred bucks.

FYI: Here is the letter we sent to the US Consulate in Vladivostok. Their response was positive and immediate, granting Alex his visa on the spot.

July 29, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:

Myself, and a large group of fellow American motorcyclists have instituted a program of sponsoring fellow riders from around the world for visits to the US. We have in the past and want to do again, assumed travel expense responsibilities for those who we select for sponsorship. Because of his widely known, and tireless assistance for international travelers beginning their journeys in Vladivostok, our candidate this year is Russian citizen, Mr. Alexey Gaydukov. He has agreed to accept our offer as soon as he is able to secure the appropriate travel documents. If granted a US visa, we will immediately pre-purchase his roundtrip airfare and when he arrives in the US, we will have available, $100.00 per day for travel expenses for a period of sixty days.

This funding is generated from a collective effort by several hundred US citizens connected via an international adventure travel website: www.advrider.com. We initiated our first trial run last year by sponsoring a motorcyclist from India and it was an enormous success in the US media as well as the Indian As responsible American citizens, we feel it is our duty to promote and improve international relations whenever possible. And for us as motorcyclists, sponsoring a fellow rider is our most effective tool.

As we already have $1,000.00 usd left over from our first project, raising the additional funds for the initial purchase of roundtrip airfare is quick and easy. For us, due to the overwhelming interest and broad community support, financing is not a problem. Our only variable is whether the US government grants Mr. Gaydukov his visa. We know for a fact that he has a steady job and was recently married, so there is no issue of him not returning to Russia at the end of his sixty-day visa.

Our suggested itinerary is for Mr. Gaydukov, on September 1, 2008, to fly from Vladivostok to San Francisco for a sixty-day motorcycle ride throughout the Western US. Upon arrival he will be met at the airport by a large contingent of motorcyclists and media from that particular area, provided a motorcycle and complete driving insurance—all at our expense. After a few days rest and press interviews, his journey will begin by riding north to tour the Pacific Northwest to eventually complete a loop of the entire US. Due to the hundreds of US motorcyclists anxious to meet him, although we will budget sufficient funding for hotels, he will likely be constantly escorted by dozens of fellow riders and have a selection of private homes to stay.

If you have any questions or need documented verification of any of these statements, please contact me by telephone (760) 275-9375 or by email: locovikingman@yahoo.com. We hope that representatives of the United States government will recognize our efforts for what they are, a promotion for peace and understanding, and assist us by granting Mr.Alexey Gaydukov his visa.

Sincerely yours,

Glen Heggsatd www.strikingviking.net
Owner and operator of Coachella Valley Judo (www.streetgrappling.com)
US Passport 710

[BubbaZanetti]

if he makes it to NYC, an all out Polish dinner for him in Greenpoint!

tell him to pm me

[Redbull Addict]

Very cool!

I'll pledge some bucks and a bed in Tahoe if needed.

[Chanderjeet]

AMAZING

Its happening again and finally we get to hear it all. Good to know that our next guest is coming all the way from Russia and he'd be staying two whole months. Wish i had this much time . Great effort SV, you really are promoting international ties. Waiting on mailing address to send donations to.

[Cooltours]

Again?!? ... well, if SV calls, the whole ADVrider comunity is following! No Question; I'm proud being good for the second hundred! Make sure you get that paypal account ready soon!

[GB]

Stickied for a while to garner some attention...

[NomadRip]

If he comes this far Southeast, our door is open, as always.

[Sasquatch]

I have room, board, garage and mechanical servicing available and willingly offered in SW Idaho. Also willing to ride with, "tour guide" while he is in the area.

I sent you an email with my contact details.

[sixty_cycle_hum]

Not sure what the route will be, but if he wants to see the suburbia Fort Wayne, IN area - there's a garage and a bed waiting.

What an excellent gift for someone who's given so much to this community.
I expect lots of pictures!

[Medicine Creek]

anyone know where a guy can buy stock in a few vodka importers?

[Green Stainz]

post the intended route and we can start helping

[KrazyKonrad]

The Paypal account is optional

As Redmond is the home of Russian motorcycles in the US you can be sure we will take good care of our Russian guest.

[GTomic]

PayPal or USPS Contributions

As per post #1, you may direct your PayPal contribution to gtomic@comcast.net or send it via U.S. Postal Service to:

RAC C/O Garth Tomic
1358 MAIN ST STE B
Sweet Home, OR 97386-1630



Credit cards may be used to send via PayPal by:

1. Go to www.paypal.com
2. Click on Send Money
3. Fill out To: (gtomic@comcast.net, From: (Your email address), Amount.
4. The next page asks the credit card # and new account info if you don't already have an account. I'm not positive you even have to create an account.

[strikingviking]

Originally Posted by GTomic

PayPal or USPS Contributions

As per post #1, you may direct your PayPal contribution to gtomic@comcast.net or send it via U.S. Postal Service to:

RAC C/O Garth Tomic
1358 MAIN ST STE B
Sweet Home, OR 97386-1630



Credit cards may be used to send via PayPal by:

1. Go to www.paypal.com
2. Click on Send Money
3. Fill out To: (gtomic@comcast.net, From: (Your email address), Amount.
4. The next page asks the credit card # and new account info if you don't already have an account. I'm not positive you even have to create an account.

Please remember that every little bit helps--$5, $10 and $20 add up quickly. This is going to be good!

[mongox]

If he is in the SF Bay area and wants to camp in a very nice spot in the country near by I have plenty of room on my property. If he is interested, in staying there, an Argh rider welcome party and BBQ could be arranged.