The BAM Road - ultimate test of man and machine - Page 15

Tony P · 12-21-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egodriver71

So the railway guards wouldn't let you cross on the rail bridges?

Egodriver
No way.
These were Military Units of heavily armed guards. As Colebatch said, all bridges within a certain distance of 'dangerous' borders have a strong military presence. Such was the importance of their task they were not even allowed to take us into the heavily fenced compound that had fierce dogs.

Unlike the guards at the Amgun River Bridge, the Commander here (on left in Roberts 4th photo) wanted to help in that respect, but could not. A good guy and did all he could to assist - and make us as comfortable as possible!

Robert.
He remembered you from the year before. Nice to see your photo of him.
Looking at your photo (taken after you had crossed) and comparing the rocks on the opposite side, the river was higher and wider for us.
[IMG]DCIM/100CANON/IMG_2180[/IMG] Sorry - don't know how to post photo!

Everyone. How do we cross? What would you do?
Keep pressing that refresh button until the next report appears!

quicktoys2 · 12-21-2009, 06:26 AM

Can't believe I just found this RR last night ............. excellent.
Thanks for sharing. I am anxiously waiting for the next installment

Soto

Colebatch · 12-21-2009, 06:45 AM

As Tony said, the commander of the guards was a really nice and helpful chap, and offered to come over to the abandoned barracks after his watch was finished for a drink.

As far as crossing on his brige was concerned, he mentioned he risked losing his career and being court martialled if we crossed the bridge and anyone found out. We certainly didnt want that - he was a very nice guy and he had a young family - his young son was with him. So we made a conscious decision not to press him on it, and to play by the rules.

In the foto of the bridge, you will see the guards watch-towers on each side. Its a lot less 'populated' than in Soviet days when the railways troops were supplemented with a regular army unit, in whose barracks we now 'lived'.

Shrek · 12-21-2009, 08:37 AM

Very big! It is very hard!

Thanks

leon kawasaki · 12-21-2009, 09:14 AM

Colebatch....Man, this is just fantastic. Thanks for sharing....to Robert Movistar, also.

L

Colebatch · 12-21-2009, 10:01 AM

With rain threatening, we returned to the top of hill and the bridge guards. They led us to the small room in the abandoned barracks and we unpacked the bikes. The room was about 2.5 x 2.5 metres (8 feet by 8 feet), had 2 bunks and a table.

The senior Bridge Guard officer came up to join us once his shift was finished, as did 2 contractors installing video surveillance equipment on the bridge. They brought vodka, food and good cheer. They mentioned we were the first foreigners this year. In a similar story to other places along the line, these guys reported only being aware of 3 foreigners having been down this road before, the two Poles on motorcycles, who also stayed here, again in the very same room, and the Australian cyclist.

Amazingly, according to the bridge guard officer, we were staying in exactly the same room as the Poles a year earlier, for the second night in a row. I decided I have to meet these guys - it seems our BAM road journeys are so intertwined its uncanny, truly bizarre.

Colebatch · 12-21-2009, 10:09 AM

112 votes ... all 5? Wow guys, you have incredibly good taste!!

I have to find a way to repay your generosity ... I have an idea ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silky

More photos of err... Local Wildlife...

MotoSig · 12-21-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colebatch

112 votes ... all 5? Wow guys, you have incredibly good taste!!

I have to find a way to repay your generosity ... I have an idea ....

That sounds like a great way to "pay" everyone back. In fact, that could also be an excellent way to reward the generosity of the people that help you on future adventures when cash is not welcome, "Thank you sir, for helping us cross that raging river. Here are some photos of beautiful women (or rugged men for the helpful ladies out there, all in fairness...) to show you our thanks."

Just a thought.....

Jeff@TheQuadShop · 12-21-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colebatch

112 votes ... all 5? Wow guys, you have incredibly good taste!!

I have to find a way to repay your generosity ... I have an idea ....

Thorne · 12-21-2009, 11:16 AM

Awesome photo's

Robert Movistar · 12-21-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colebatch

Amazingly, according to the bridge guard officer, we were staying in exactly the same room as the Poles a year earlier, for the second night in a row. I decided I have to meet these guys - it seems our BAM road journeys are so intertwined its uncanny, truly bizarre.

Strange ... I'm sure that no vodka left! If so, we must meet and drink it together! Such drops are on the table were the basis of food:)

Who sleep on the upper bed? Izi afraid, so I was there.
Oh, there Izi left 1 million dollars (lost his train), were there?

I saw the picture that drinking vodka "Green Mark"

I never thought that someone would go this way ...
Guys this is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colebatch · 12-21-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Movistar

Who sleep on the upper bed?

I was on top bed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Movistar

Oh, there Izi left 1 million dollars (lost his train), were there?

Yes I found it. We spent it most of it on vodka, motorcycles and women (the rest we wasted). I am visiting Maciek and Safran tonight, so we will spend the rest!

Robert Movistar · 12-21-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colebatch

Yes I found it. We spent it most of it on vodka, motorcycles and women. I am visiting Maciek and Safran tonight, so we will spend the rest!

Very good choice!
Where do you visit? In Warsaw?

Colebatch · 12-21-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Movistar

Very good choice!
Where do you visit? In Warsaw?

Danzig !

Robert Movistar · 12-21-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colebatch

Danzig !

Safran just told me. Sex, drugs & rock'n roll. Danzig by night.

I hope that it was still something of a million dollars on women

12-21-2009, 06:26 AM	#212
quicktoys2 ADVrider junkie :) Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Patras, Greece Oddometer: 626	Can't believe I just found this RR last night ............. excellent. Thanks for sharing. I am anxiously waiting for the next installment Soto __________________ ------------------------------------------------ '03 Aprilia ETV1000 Caponord

12-21-2009, 06:45 AM	#213
Colebatch ^OP "Moto Porn"ographer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Sunny London Oddometer: 3,808	Bridge Troops As Tony said, the commander of the guards was a really nice and helpful chap, and offered to come over to the abandoned barracks after his watch was finished for a drink. As far as crossing on his brige was concerned, he mentioned he risked losing his career and being court martialled if we crossed the bridge and anyone found out. We certainly didnt want that - he was a very nice guy and he had a young family - his young son was with him. So we made a conscious decision not to press him on it, and to play by the rules. In the foto of the bridge, you will see the guards watch-towers on each side. Its a lot less 'populated' than in Soviet days when the railways troops were supplemented with a regular army unit, in whose barracks we now 'lived'. __________________ Sibirsky Extreme 2009 BOOK and DVD available HERE Moroccan Extreme 2011 DVD available HERE www.sibirskyextreme.com Colebatch screwed with this post 12-21-2009 at 11:45 PM

12-21-2009, 10:01 AM	#216
Colebatch ^OP "Moto Porn"ographer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Sunny London Oddometer: 3,808	Night at the Ulma Bridge With rain threatening, we returned to the top of hill and the bridge guards. They led us to the small room in the abandoned barracks and we unpacked the bikes. The room was about 2.5 x 2.5 metres (8 feet by 8 feet), had 2 bunks and a table. The senior Bridge Guard officer came up to join us once his shift was finished, as did 2 contractors installing video surveillance equipment on the bridge. They brought vodka, food and good cheer. They mentioned we were the first foreigners this year. In a similar story to other places along the line, these guys reported only being aware of 3 foreigners having been down this road before, the two Poles on motorcycles, who also stayed here, again in the very same room, and the Australian cyclist. Amazingly, according to the bridge guard officer, we were staying in exactly the same room as the Poles a year earlier, for the second night in a row. I decided I have to meet these guys - it seems our BAM road journeys are so intertwined its uncanny, truly bizarre. __________________ Sibirsky Extreme 2009 BOOK and DVD available HERE Moroccan Extreme 2011 DVD available HERE www.sibirskyextreme.com Colebatch screwed with this post 12-21-2009 at 10:55 AM

12-21-2009, 11:16 AM	#220
Thorne Sherpa-ing around Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Lone Pine, ON, Canada Oddometer: 1,196	Awesome photo's __________________ I'd rather die living than live dying.

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12-21-2009, 08:37 AM	#214
Shrek The adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Oddometer: 31	Very big! It is very hard! Thanks

12-21-2009, 09:14 AM	#215
leon kawasaki Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: nw1/4 ne1/4 Section 11 Oddometer: 101	Colebatch....Man, this is just fantastic. Thanks for sharing....to Robert Movistar, also. L