Sibirsky Extreme 2012 - The Toughest Ride of Them All

[ROD CURRIE]

The day was now quite warm and we pulled up at this fast flowing river. P looked at it for a minute then judged he'd be OK and dashed in.Within about 3 metres the bike dived into a deep channel and flooded, usually a PITA rather than a problem, but the current was so powerful that almost immediately the bike was forced over and P was on the downstream side of the bike and struggling to keep both himslef and the bike upright. Terry and I dashed in (as well as 57 year olds can dash anywhere !) and grabbed the bike whilst P got his footing...then we all hauled it back out onto the riverbank.

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Whilst we got our gear off to dry P stripped the bike to do likewise and I went off upstream to find a better potential crossing. The bank was mostly large pebbles but there vwere some grassy areas too. When I walked on the grass a cloud of enraged mosquitoes leapt up started biting me. . Mong has developed a particularly aggressive variant of this pest and they're not to be taken lightly, the feckin' wee shites so i stuck to the pebbly bits after that.
I couldn't find anywhere that seemed to offer any better access or egress so went back to the guys. As we waited a little Russian jeep appeared on the far side of the river and after a moments pause set off across the torrent. When he got to the deep bit we all heald our breath but it fought through and dragged itself up onto the bank. I only got the pic when they were through the worst.http://s1283.beta.photobucket.com/user/rodcurrie/media/Russia2012096_zps3725a24c.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a555/rodcurrie/Russia2012096_zps3725a24c.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"/>

Our curiosity credentials were again revealed as the jeep stopped and a huge family got out to greet us ...not less than 8 individuals from Grandma down to infant.They told us there was a bridge just a mile or two downstream.

A little later a truck and trailer-tanker appeared and although it was no problem to that, we clearly were not going to make it so had to retrace our tracks a mile or so then run along to the bridge.

Guys. I have firewall problems and the pics might not load so will sort it later in the day if that's the case

[norseV4force]

Well that's me and your pics Rod.

[ROD CURRIE]

Norse to the rescue again.
Thanks matey--its the FW settings here at work and takes an age to load or even change a page outside the intranet . C'est la vie .

[Prutser]

When people say my bike is heavy I can now say its not.......it floats



The moment I drove my bike into the stream the engine took in water trough the air intake.
At the same time the current swept me and my bike down stream. Within a few seconds I was about 5 meters from the point were I entered.
When I surfaced again and tried to get a grip I saw my bike floating towards me. By the time I had my bike up-right again the 3 heroes came to the rescue !!!!!!!

Later that day in Hovd we met some Kazakh guys traveling in big 4X4's that warned us for high water.
They waited for more than 10 hours for the water level to drop. When they did cross, the water still came up to their window.
( they were talking about the same crossing I tried)

[Rockmuncher]

[QUOTE=Prutser;20379805]After a few km's Rod decided to give us another break.



But Tee Bee was questioning if that was really the best place for another picnic..
(Luckily Rod didn't hurt himself or damaged his bike)




Thank god you only crashed. I thought the fuel pump was going again. Yikes!

[ROD CURRIE]

[QUOTE=Rockmuncher;20384458]

Originally Posted by Prutser

After a few km's Rod decided to give us another break.

But Tee Bee was questioning if that was really the best place for another picnic..
(Luckily Rod didn't hurt himself or damaged his bike)

Thank god you only crashed. I thought the fuel pump was going again. Yikes!

No. We'd spent a lot of time soaked and after all the rain much of the road had lots of standing water or was covered with mudslides . I ducked off the road to ride at the side and go round a particularly gloopy bit, but tried to rejoin the road a) a few yards too soon b) at an oblique angle so as I crossed a little hump of mud the front end just washed out and I ended up chewing the gravel. Bizarrely it was the hardest fall of the entire trip and I bent my brake pedal badly. The standard 690 brake pedals are made of plasticine -another example of the accountants influence. The pedal on my old 625 is billet and after maybe 100 offs (told you I was shite!) is still straight and as good as new.
The rear brake never worked properly again despite P easing it straight-ish whilst I hopped around rubbing a battered shin and feeling sorry for myself.
I've now fitted a billet number from RallyRaid.

[ROD CURRIE]

The pump hasn't given any trouble whatsoever sinceIi replaced it with the later version although I have bought the Cycleparts variant and will carry it with me whenever I go away. No idea of course how good the pump is, but the service is 100% as the pump arrived at my home in in the UK 2 days after I ordered it from the States. If anyone wants to be kept abreast of how it might perform (should I need it) please just PM me.

I got a mail from Walter's 2010 Sibirski companion Sherri-Jo Wilkins just before Christmas, whose 2010 690 has just dumped its pump in Ushuia.
In fairness its done as I remember 130,000 Kms, which gives me some confidence that the bikes can take the mileage- so it shoudn't be judged too harshly. Not sure if she got going again but maybe she'll chime in.
Go Sherri-Jo!

[TBut]

Just by watching your amazing pics I tripped with you=...pity it was only for minutes!
GReat footage and thank you!

[Scribe]

Originally Posted by Prutser

(Luckily Rod didn't hurt himself or damaged his bike)

I had to look at that pic for a bit. I thought there was some Photochop trickery going on until I realized the boys just like to dress the same.

[RTWdreamer]

Are they brothers seperated at birth? You be the judge.

The picture makes me think they are doing accident reconstruction. New safety protocols mandated - oh wait this is Mongolia!!

And I can't thank all of you enough for taking us along.

[O'B]

Originally Posted by ROD CURRIE

The pump hasn't given any trouble whatsoever sinceIi replaced it with the later version although I have bought the Cycleparts variant and will carry it with me whenever I go away. No idea of course how good the pump is, but the service is 100% as the pump arrived at my home in in the UK 2 days after I ordered it from the States. If anyone wants to be kept abreast of how it might perform (should I need it) please just PM me.

I got a mail from Walter's 2010 Sibirski companion Sherri-Jo Wilkins just before Christmas, whose 2010 690 has just dumped its pump in Ushuia.
In fairness its done as I remember 130,000 Kms, which gives me some confidence that the bikes can take the mileage- so it shoudn't be judged too harshly. Not sure if she got going again but maybe she'll chime in.
Go Sherri-Jo!

I had Hip-Replacement Surgery last May so leading up to and after the bike(2009 Xcountry) sat for quite a while on a tender I thought the fuel would be okay for the time. Went to start it nothing BOOM" main fuse blown WTF! Well I tried everything fuses checked battery the spark looked good, the motor sequensed properly. Had to take it to the dealer. They informed me it was the fuel pump gumbed up from the fuel and that they put a direct charge on it to free it up.Fricken ethonal crap. They said to keep an eye on it but you will probably need a new pump in the future. So I am in the same boat having to carry a fuel pump. Great RR keep it up.

[Buuurrrt]

I have been following your report for some time and now that you are in Mongolia I thought I would post to say how much fun we had while exploring that beautiful country in Sept 2012. 3 of us on purchased "Shinray 150 Mustangs" 3 weeks of riding, the scenery, people, birds etc. I just can't say enough about how wonderful Mongolia is.

From Mongolia 2012

Do they drink vodka in Mongolia? Yes they do!!


Hovsgol Lake


The Mighty Shinray Mustang 150

I don't mean to hijack your wonderful thread but if anyone is interested in seeing a report on our trip.

Please click here. I would love to hear what you think.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=818258

[ROD CURRIE]

Originally Posted by Scribe

I had to look at that pic for a bit. I thought there was some Photochop trickery going on until I realized the boys just like to dress the same.

Terry's the older "Brother" by about 7 weeks, he's also the richer, brainier, hairier and better looking. And he can drink more vodka. Life just deals yer a shit hand sometimes.

[kahlgryndiger]

Originally Posted by Buuurrrt

Please click here. I would love to hear what you think.

This is one of my favourite ride reports!

[ROD CURRIE]

Originally Posted by Buuurrrt

I have been following your report for some time and now that you are in Mongolia I thought I would post to say how much fun we had while exploring that beautiful country in Sept 2012. 3 of us on purchased "Shinray 150 Mustangs" 3 weeks of riding, the scenery, people, birds etc. I just can't say enough about how wonderful Mongolia is.

HI Burrrt.
Looks like you got the sunshine we'd 've sold Terry into slavery for. Well?.... you have to use up the old ones first.