Author Topic: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia  (Read 7448 times)

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Offline JohnBerry

Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« on: February 02, 2015, 05:45:38 pm »
I'm trying to decide whether to go from Krasnoyarsk, Russia to the Pacific via Siberia (Irkutsk, Novy Sibirsk, Vladivostok) or via Kazakhstan, which would take me to Urumchi, Turpan, and then onwards.

Anyone have any experience with these routes, or warnings or helpful remarks? Need a route through Kazakhstan to the Dzungarian Gates. Aslo words on crossing the borders.

(The starting point needs to be somewhere near Krasnoyarsk because last summer I did Baltic Coast of Poland - Istanbul- north coast of Turkey-Tbilisi, and I need to start somewhere "close" to Tbilisi without being committed to take the boat across the Caspian or to ride through Chechnya!)

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2015, 07:21:28 pm »
Sounds like an adventure. I cycled the former Soviet Union, but so long ago in 1994, I think my advice might be outdated. I cycled in a region near a massive human slaughter of noncombatant civilians, and of course people were tense. An artillery barrage held me flat to the ground in terror about 5-6 miles west of Bojanow, Poland August 31, 1994. Public sanitation and personal cleanliness were deplorable in general. Attitudes were s-c-a-r-y. A couple from Reno, Nevada said cycling in Russia was bad news and they gave details. Hard packed dirt paths parallel to roads were far better than the roads. Etc. It was by far the worst tour. However, some of the people were hospitable, kind and courteous. Road pollution was totally unbelievable and straight out of the deepest fastnesses of hell. I did not go to tourist gatherings in the larger cities. I went out into and through the rural agrarian countrysides.

Offline matthewshwn

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2015, 04:46:27 pm »
Fraternising with the enemy? Jk

Offline JohnBerry

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2015, 05:49:12 pm »
Matthew:

I hope that Russia will not be our enemy by summer.  It's getting so there's no other way to cross Asia:  US Citizens have to have a guide with them at all times in Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are apparently bad news, Afghanistan and Pakistan are unsafe. 

Offline JohnBerry

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2015, 05:58:23 pm »
 :)Westinghouse:

Sounds like you had more excitement than you needed to say the least!   I'll be staying well clear of the Ukraine, needless to say. I will also try to steer clear of the big cities, unless they have some famous tourist attraction. I'm also concerned about sanitation and pollution. Turkey and its stand-up toilets were bad enough in the one respect, and the Alaska Highway, with a rotting dirty Pamper every 200 yards or so, in the other!  Do you know how to find the post you referred to by the couple from Reno, NV?

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2015, 08:56:25 pm »
The couple from Reno were at a food store in west Germany in 1994. They advised strongly not to cycle Russia.


Offline matthewshwn

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2015, 08:26:53 am »
Ya you definitely want to stay out of the Ukraine. I heard the Russia might have used a small tactical nuke there?

Offline matthewshwn

Re: Russia-Kazakhstan-China or Russia-Russia-Russia
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2015, 08:32:46 am »
John,

I hope so too because bad relationship (sanctions) hurt us too with a country like Russia.  We  antagonising Russia by trying to take over a country that is connected to Russia. How could Russia let go of the Ukraine? It's a part of their history.

Don't get me started.  I hope this conquest that started in 2001 will be over soon, whatever it is.