Sibirsky Extreme 2012 - The Toughest Ride of Them All

[Colebatch]

its normally a stunning part of Mongolia,but with the drenching rain, I decided to err on the safe side and head towards Olgiy. We could have lunch there, regroup and replan our route.

By the time we got to Olgiy we were all totally soaked. We made our way to restaurant oddly called the Irish Bar, which seemed to have nothing of an Irish bar about it.

The waitress certainly wasnt Irish



While the rain howled down outside, we stayed put in the restaurant. For over 4 hours.

When it finally eased, we went down to the bikes, and were met by a man offering accommodation and somewhere to dry our soaking wet clothes. It was now almost 4pm. It felt wise to accept the offer. We followed him through the streets of Olgiy to his compound where we haggled over the price of a room before accepting it.

[rdwalker]

Originally Posted by Colebatch

... The waitress certainly wasnt Irish ...

But she was a reminder that there are stylish women all over the world, no matter what the geography or economy or culture.

And of course, you guys always find them.

[Beam(st)er]

Not only the rain was the reason we were soaked...

[trailtosakhalin]

keep on riding

[Digger Deep]

fantastic report. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us all.

[sion]

Originally Posted by Colebatch

We made our way to restaurant oddly called the Irish Bar, which seemed to have nothing of an Irish bar about it.

I must protest...is that not whiskey I see on the shelf behind Rod?

[Blader54]

Sure and she's Irish, laddie, she's from the east of Ireland....County Olgly! And that is a bottle of Dewars on the shelf behind the big fella. And the bottle next door says "Crown Royal". Whether there's aught or naught in the boxes marked Chivas and Seagrams behind these I know not. 'Tis a heluva RR this one is. Almost lured me off my beloved tarmac, you have. Awaiting your next tempting post!

[Paulie]

Yup, thanks a bunch for this OUTSTANDING report!!! It's greatly appreciated.


Just saw some diff pix of Mongolia...interesting but not nearly as upbeat as yours

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/201...as_nomads.html

[achesley]

Happy New Years to all of you. May the coming year be even better than this one. Thanks so much for the entertainment of following this and other ride reports.

[joenuclear]

Originally Posted by sion

I must protest...is that not whiskey I see on the shelf behind Rod?

No, I don't see any Bushmills.

[CharlestonADV]

Thanks for the fantastic RR. Happy New Year to all and best wishes for great riding adventures in 2013.

[Blader54]

Happy New Year you wild wanderers! Long may you roam the world's tracks!

[O'B]

Originally Posted by Beam(st)er

Sorry Rod, can't keep this for myself...

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/70331749/Rod%27s%20dive.m4v

(Rod)I probably won't put this very well but will have a go. IMHO much of one's mindset is weather and location driven. When you wake up on a beautiful morning in total silence apart from the birds, and open the tent flap to a knockout view ....how could you wish to be anywhere else, but when you've taken off soaking gear the night before having pitched in the rain and wind, and wake up in the rain to put on cold soaking boots yet again it'd take a better man than me to paint that smile on and not question my motives and choices.
But then when you find yourself riding towards that big blue patch and feel the first of that glorious warmth on your clothes. Man!...how good is that.
Maybe the contrast is what makes it great too....but all you guys know this. blah blah. I just want to thank you all for the RR. What I am really appreciating is all the little tips and bike info you sprinkle in. Man I have really learned alot. You guys are actually figgin funny too. Thanks Pat O'Brien

[Gravel Seeker]

Originally Posted by Deseret Rider

Phrog, At one time---seems a hundred years ago but was really in the late '60's or early 70's a couple of 'Yanks" went to Australia determined to set the new record for riding the circumference of the your country. At that time there was a long stretch along the northern or north western section which was unpaved and one of our guys hit a kangaroo, crashed and was injured (broken leg or something as I now recall). But they were within sight of the record so the injured man ordered the other to ride on and send back help only after breaking the record. This inspired the remaining rider to ride like hell into the night (sounds like he may have actually had some Aussie in him) to complete the run. All ended well----the record was reported to have been now established at 10 days, 10 hours and 10 minutes. The injured man was rescued and this story was reported in one of our cycle magazines----might have been Cycle World but I don't remember for sure.

I imagine that since that time the road in that section has been paved and the new bikes are better and faster than those rode by our 'hero's". And we know that no self respecting Aussie would allow the record to be held by an outsider----so I'm wondering now if you happen to know what the new record is and who set it?

When I rode the circumference of Australia (missed the record by about 5,5 months) I met someone who said the record was now (in 2005) 7 days. Record held by a Brit, former SAS soldier, who didn't speak much, but had said he wished no one ever tried to beat his record because he had gone far beyond what was sane, let alone safe. The circumference on the A1 (the highway that sort of follows the coast all around Australia) is 17.000km. Also at that time the Northern Territory didn't have speed limits on their highways, which I understand they now have.

[elias]

Originally Posted by Beam(st)er

Not only the rain was the reason we were soaked...

With a first view, i thought this rock was a crocodile