The ‘federal highway’ from Khabarovsk to Chita, can be described as a 2,200km construction site. Approximately 1,200 of these kilometers are on dirt roads with varying degress of sand, hard packed gravel, large loose rocks and pot holes. Amazingly, we only get one puncture on VERY worn tyres. We plan to put the new set on only after we cross into Mongolia.
This road is a far cry from the almost impassable route of 10 to 15 years ago, but it’s still a challenging ride and required us to be on the road for 12 hours a day…

Road conditions are not helped by dozens of passing cars kicking up dust. Most are sedans being ‘imported’ from Japan (via Vladivostok) by hired drivers. The drivers are paid incredibily good wages. We spoke to one of the truck drivers (carrying 6-8 cars), who told us he earns about US$6,500 per fortnight!!!

Lodging along the route is only available in small roadside ‘gostinica’s’(hostels). But even these are too expensive for our budget, so we resort to camping. We wanted to stay off the main road and out of sight. This usually meant riding along forest tracks and then into the woods themselves. It ensured a peaceful nights sleep, interrupted only by the trains on the trans-siberian railway.

Petrol was sold at about 100km intervals. Usually available at 92 octane, but on one occasion we were forced to settle for 80 octane (something the Africa Twin didn’t like…).
Food was also available on route, mainly in ‘cafe’s’ which all served hearty Russian meals. Not always in the most traditional of places…

About 200km out from Chita we met two English riders - Geoff & Alan (www.poor-circulation.net). Both on Tiger Triumphs, they were 2 months into their 6 month trip around the world. Good luck guys!!!