Round the World 2009 Blog

24/9/9 – Expedition 1 arrive in NYC!

Job done! It is a long final day’s ride from Niagara to New York City but the riders are here to complete the ultimate ride. 16 weeks on the road, more than 20,000 miles and an incredible 22 different countries. RTW 09 for expedition 1 is at an end and our congratulations go out to them all. They have just ridden around the entire globe, and have finally reached the end of the road – truly an impressive feat and a real achievement for everyone involved. Expedition 2 are still hot on their heels and are due into New York next week, but for one group at least the adventures are at an end… well done guys, and time for a celebratory beer!

01/10/9 – Expedition 2 complete RTW 09!

At last the end of the road. The last rider enters Manhattan at the end of this fantastic and ground-breaking expedition. A total of 26 riders have made it all the way from London to New York and finally the adventure must come to an end. Congratulations to all the participants who did the most to ensure that this expedition was such a great success and so memorable for everyone who took part. Now it is back to the real world for most and time for a rest for the Kudu staff before we begin to get ready for our next tour – Paris-Dakar 2010!

22/9/9 – The final stretch and a long road east

Interstate 90 is a long, straight and fairly featureless ride but soon enough the Great Lakes loom and the guys can enjoy their final rest day of RTW 09 in the centre of Chicago. After the vast, empty expanses of the Yukon and the stunning scenery of the Rockies, we are now well and truly back in the modern, industrialised world. Riding back into Chicago, the hectic traffic, noise and bustling streets are a world away from the serenity of the open spaces that we have ridden through over the past few weeks in North America. From Chicago we have a detour up to Niagara Falls for our final night before the last, long ride to the finish line. Niagara is a fairly tacky town full of tourist traps and seedy looking bars and fast-food restaurants, but the falls themselves are spectacular and the river boat ride into the spray is something not to be missed. A final stop off at one of of the world’s great natural wonders seems a fitting place to stop and catch breath for the last ride tomorrow.

20/9/9 – Out of the mountains and onto the plains

From Glacier National Park the roads straighten as the land flattens and it is onto the great plains and prairies of the American mid-west. The final stretch has begun and it involves some mammoth rides through a vast, sometimes featureless landscape. Fortunately there have been one or two highlights along the way including a visit to the sight of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Custer’s last stand. Similarly Mount Rushmore, surely an essential stop along Interstate 90 and a perfect antidote to the long straight road ahead. The Badlands of South Dakota have also been a highlight and taking a detour through this bizarre landscape has certainly been a great experience. Each day brings New York substantially closer and the days remaining can be counted on one hand. The end of RTW 09 approaches!

16/9/9 – Icefields Parkway & Going to the Sun – the world’s best rides?

Both expeditions have now crossed their final border but the last few days of riding have surely been some of the finest to be had anywhere in the world. From the town of Jasper, nestled deep in the Rockies, the road known as Icefields Parkway snakes its way south towards Lake Louise. The scenery is breathtaking, with towering Glaciers, immense ranges and serene mountain lakes seemingly beyond each bend in the road. Progress is slow but only due to the necessity for constant photo stops. After a brief stop-over in Radium Hot Springs it is over the final border of RTW 09 – border number 26 – and into Glacier National Park. In warmer temperatures the expeditions can enjoy the “Going to the Sun Road” which cuts the park in two. More amazing riding and beautiful scenery as finally the expeditions leave the Rockies behind for the last time and turn eastbound for Chicago and New York beyond.

11/9/9 – Autumn in the Yukon

The riding has been absolutely fantastic. In spite of the chill in the air, the expeditions have generally been extremely fortunate with the weather, and some days in particular have been a real treat. The Yukon and Alaska are right at the very end of their tourist seasons, and Autumn is in full swing. The down side of this is mainly the cooler temperatures, especially first thing in the morning, but there are fantastic benefits to riding through this amazing corner of the world at this time too. The Autumnal colours are out in force and when the skies are clear the empty roads and simply stunning scenery make riding here a sheer joy. The mosquitos, normally so abundant and vicious in summer, have now vanished and the crisp, clear air through sweeping mountain roads have made this leg of our RTW Expeditions a surprising highlight. In spite of one or two rainy days, so far we have been very lucky. Expedition 1 have now veered southbound once more and are en-route to Jasper National Park and the Icefields Parkway. Expedition 2 are in Anchorage and preparing to head up to Fairbanks and the Top of the World Highway to Dawson City. We are in the final month of this mammoth ride, and yet it does not feel as though the adventures have come to an end just yet.

1/9/9 – Welcome to America!

Shipping the bikes from Korea to Seattle was always going to be on of the toughest logistical exercises of the entire trip, and in-spite of one or two hitches along the way, all bikes and riders found themselves re-united and ready to begin again precisely on schedule. Suddenly we are on an entirely new continent where the food is familiar and everyone speaks English! A strange experience after so many miles through lands where communication has so often been to resort to frantic hand signals and gestures. Seattle is our launch pad for the final stage of the trip. It may appear as though the trip is nearly at an end, but when you consider that there are still 7,700 miles (nearly 1/3 of the entire distance) to go, then it becomes obvious that the challenge is far from over!

From Seattle to Vancouver Island and a ride up the coast all the way to the northern tip and Port Hardy. Already there have been sightings of Bear and the scenery is absolutely stunning. From Port Hardy it was a VERY early start (5am!) to catch the boat trip to Prince Rupert. This ferry route is known as the Inside Passage and is a full day cruise through the narrow inlets and waterways of British Columbia’s coastal Islands. A day to relax and soak up the beautiful scenery and wildlife, including Killer Wale and Dolphin, as this beautiful part of the world glides by.

Once back on dry land it is onto the Stuart Cassiar Highway for more perfect riding through this pristine wilderness. The Bear Glacier, sweeping down from the mountains, is an awe inspiring sight and is a photo opportunity not to be missed. From Stuart it is northwards to join up with the Alaska Highway at Watson Lake and then the long road West to Anchorage. So far the weather has been kind, although this late in the year the temperatures further north can be chilly, especially during the early morning riding.

22/8/9 – Korea and back to civilisation

After a few days of R&R in Hotel Vladivostok, it is time to jump onto another boat, and this time sail across the Sea of Japan to Korea. The ferry is a world away from the Caspian’s rusting cargo boat endured so many weeks back, with great food, clean facilities and a general air of Korean efficiency and hospitality. The sense that we are returning back to western standards is a welcome feeling after so many tough weeks of travel through Central Asia and Siberia.

Once disembarked in Sokcho, it is onto perfect tar roads and into a world where everything works – it doesn’t just work, it works very well indeed. Over 3 more days of riding, the groups are able to explore the hills and towns of this surprisingly compact country. After the vastness of Mongolia and Siberia, it is strange to be travelling through a land where you can ride from one end to the other in a day. The riders are used now to counting their distances in days of travel, not hours! It makes a very welcome change to the pace of life – no mosquitos, no camping and no potholes!

One or two riders enjoy the attentions of the Police after wandering onto the expressways (on which bike are banned) and the general polite efficiency of the Korean law enforcers means that very soon the errant riders have been re-directed and are once more on their way. Seoul, the vast metropolis from which all bikes will be shipped to the Americas, is a world within itself. By day, millions of hard working Koreans bustle around going to and from work. By night the neon signs light up the streets, bars and restaurants of its many unique districts. The riders have a few days to rest and pack up the bikes before they are shipped over to the USA.. Korea has been a great surprise for many, with stunning mountain roads and the forever charming and polite Koreans making this small part of the RTW Expedition extra special.

16/8/9 – The Trans-Siberian Highway

From Ulan Bator it is a very easy ride on almost perfect tar all the way to the Russian border. After another terminally slow crossing, once more the riders are in Russia and at the town of Ulan Ude. Another welcome rest day here means some riders take the chance to pop over to Lake Baykal – the worlds largest reservoir of fresh water and also the world’s deepest lake. For the remainder it is time to wash clothes and check over bikes because the hard riding is not over yet. Seven days of solid riding and camping are ahead on the fabled Trans-Siberia Highway. 2,500 miles of Siberian forest, rolling hills, open plains and marshlands from Ulan Ude to Vladivostok on the coast of the Sea of Japan. Much of the road has now been sealed but there still remain many hundreds of miles of rough, bike-breaking and heavily worn gravel sections.

Expedition 1 now have it all behind them. Perhaps the hardest part is dealing with the swarms of mosquitoes each evening as they set up camp in the wilderness. When the rain falls the track becomes slippery and waterlogged and when the hot sun dries it out the passing vehicles fill the air with thick clouds of choking dust. It is tough travelling indeed, but the reward is something that cannot be bought. After seven days, riding into Vladivostok dirty and exhausted, having come all the way from London, the feeling of jubilation and relief is fantastic. Once in Hotel Vladivostok a hot shower and a cold beer never felt so good!

Expedition 2 are almost there. They have the final 900 miles to go, most of which will now be good tarmac, and then they too will be in Vladivostok. They have had several delays due to the bikes taking such a hammering from the tough road, but now the worst is behind them and they are back on schedule. Soon enough they too will be enjoying the luxury of a shower and a bed. Once in Vladivostok all wild camping for RTW is over and it is hotels all the way to New York – a mighty relief to some for certain!

6/8/9 – The road to Ulan Bator

As we move eastwards, so progress begins to pick up. A few days in and we see our first patches of tarmac – although they are very short lived indeed and soon disappear into the dirt once more. Settlements begin to become more common, and other vehicles meandering their way across the vast expanse appear with more frequency. The tracks become real “bike-breakers” with deep and hard-packed potholes stressing frames and pannier racks to breaking point. Day by day the miles go past and Ulan Bator comes ever closer. Finally, the road turns to tarmac and the sprawling mass of Mongolia’s only true city comes into view. In contrast to the stunning beauty of the landscapes we have just ridden through for a thousand miles, Ulan Bator is a bland, ugly and crowded place, suitable for rest, repairs and the welcome consumption of several ice-cold beers. Everyone has made it – riders, bikes, support vehicles and crew, intact and having had an unforgettable adventure. We are now looking towards the next challenge – 2,500 miles of the Trans-Siberian Highway, all the way to Vladivostok.

6/8/9 – The road to Ulan Bator

As we move eastwards, so progress begins to pick up. A few days in and we see our first patches of tarmac – although they are very short lived indeed and soon disappear into the dirt once more. Settlements begin to become more common, and other vehicles meandering their way across the vast expanse appear with more frequency. The tracks become real “bike-breakers” with deep and hard-packed potholes stressing frames and pannier racks to breaking point. Day by day the miles go past and Ulan Bator comes ever closer. Finally, the road turns to tarmac and the sprawling mass of Mongolia’s only true city comes into view. In contrast to the stunning beauty of the landscapes we have just ridden through for a thousand miles, Ulan Bator is a bland, ugly and crowded place, suitable for rest, repairs and the welcome consumption of several ice-cold beers. Everyone has made it – riders, bikes, support vehicles and crew, intact and having had an unforgettable adventure. We are now looking towards the next challenge – 2,500 miles of the Trans-Siberian Highway, all the way to Vladivostok.

31/7/9 – Into the Altai and Mongolia’s Wild West

In Barnaul everyone has a rest and a chance to re-supply before we head into the wild. It is the last chance to get laundry done, stock up on essential luxuries and get hold of any extra pieces of kit before we enter the wilderness for the next week. The next time that the riders will see anything even resembling a supermarket will be in Ulan Bator – a mere 1,400 miles away across the empty Central Asian wilderness. The Altai region, which spreads through this part of Russia into Western Mongolia, is a picturesque, mountainous area, popular with local Russian campers. It is a thoroughly pleasant ride along good roads, following winding rivers through lush valleys. It is a great ride, and made all the more enjoyable thanks to good tar roads and a pleasant nights camp by the river before we head to the Mongolian border.

The mountains of the Altai flatten out into broad and desolate plains as the Mongolian border approaches. The region happens to be where 4 international borders meet (Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China) and there is a very big military presence in evidence. The Mongolian border is not too bad, except for their habit of closing for long lunches just when you arrive at their gates. The riders are very much in the wild now and surrounded by stunning scenery. Low mountains sweeping up from velvet green, wide and empty valleys all around. As soon as the border has been negotiated it is onto dirt tracks and into the vast expanse that is Mongolia’s wild west.

After another camp our next stop is the small town of Olgiy where the expedition crew can prepare for the 1,000 mile journey to Ulan Bator, the Mongolian capital. We will be camping every night and feeding ourselves every day as we negotiate tough tracks for the first few days of riding. We are holed up in a Ger camp just outside Olgiy for the night which is a new, and quite pleasant experience for most. The next morning the toughest section of the entire RTW Expedition begins. Progress is initially slow for both groups and several riders have low speed spills in some of the sandy sections. A river needs to be negotiated too and this involves manhandling each bike through fast-flowing water one at a time. Everyone makes it through okay with no drowned riders or bikes! The next few days of riding are hard work, but absolutely fantastic. It is mile after mile of breathtaking scenery through an empty wilderness and an experience not to be forgotten. In spite of the tiring riding and long days, there can be little doubt that this part of the expedition will always remain the highlight for the majority of RTW riders.

27/7/9 – Kazakhstan, the Charyn Canyon and the road to Russia

From Bishkek it was down to Lake Issyk Kul and then into Kazakhstan. The cool of the mountains has once again been replaced with the heat of the lowland semi-desert. The roads however, have improved dramatically and other than the distinctly Asian faces of the local population, Kazakhstan feels quite European. Almaty itself is a truly modern metropolis with glistening shopping malls and an abundance of nightlife. En-route the guys have taken a ride down to the Charyn Canyon. Like a smaller version of the Grand Canyon in the U.S. it is quite a spectacular sight. Some of the riders decide to ride down into the valley itself and only just about make the scramble back out once more.

From the bright lights of Almaty the expeditions now face the most challenging section of the entire trip. From here, all the way to Vladivostok, it is primarily wild camping and there are well over 1,500 miles of dirt tracks to negotiate along the way. Time to stock up on supplies and get ready for the adventures to come. The road north to the Russian border crosses the sweltering Kazakh steppe and it is a long 3 days of riding and wild camps up to the city of Barnaul. After the expectedly slow border crossing we are now in the Russian Altai Region and it seems almost incredible that we are just a couple of day’s ride from crossing into Mongolia. A thousand miles of tracks, trails, rivers and adventures await us!

The mountains of the Altai flatten out into broad and desolate plains as the Mongolian border approaches. The region happens to be where 4 international borders meet (Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China) and there is a very big military presence in evidence. The Mongolian border is not too bad, except for their habit of closing for long lunches just when you arrive at their gates. The riders are very much in the wild now and surrounded by stunning scenery. Low mountains sweeping up from velvet green, wide and empty valleys all around. As soon as the border has been negotiated it is onto dirt tracks and into the vast expanse that is Mongolia’s wild west.

After another camp our next stop is the small town of Olgiy where the expedition crew can prepare for the 1,000 mile journey to Ulan Bator, the Mongolian capital. We will be camping every night and feeding ourselves every day as we negotiate tough tracks for the first few days of riding. We are holed up in a Ger camp just outside Olgiy for the night which is a new, and quite pleasant experience for most. The next morning the toughest section of the entire RTW Expedition begins. Progress is initially slow for both groups and several riders have low speed spills in some of the sandy sections. A river needs to be negotiated too and this involves manhandling each bike through fast-flowing water one at a time. Everyone makes it through okay with no drowned riders or bikes! The next few days of riding are hard work, but absolutely fantastic. It is mile after mile of breathtaking scenery through an empty wilderness and an experience not to be forgotten. In spite of the tiring riding and long days, there can be little doubt that this part of the expedition will always remain the highlight for the majority of RTW riders.

23/7/9 – Wild adventures in Kyrgyzstan

From the big, modern city of Tashkent it was a long, but refreshingly cool ride over the mountains to the Kyrgyz border and thankfully a very fast crossing indeed. From here the riders had the option of taking a spectacular trail through the Tien Shan mountain range to stunning Lake Som Kul. It was during this ride that we have unfortunately taken our first casualty of the trip. After a heavy night of rain the trail had become slippery in places, and it was whilst negotiating one of these sections at low speed that Neil (group 1) lost the back end of his 1150 and the bike landed on his leg. Craig, the expedition medic, was absolutely invaluable and immediately set about taking care of Neil and his injured leg with a level of calm professionalism that truly demonstrated his worth on a challenging expedition such as this. Although initially hopefully that the injury was not serious enough to end Neil’s trip, after transporting him and his bike to Bishkek for an x-ray his worst fears were confirmed. His leg was broken and his trip is now sadly at an end. Neil is already resting up at home in France and this very popular member of the expedition will be sorely missed.

Group 2 were much more fortunate with the weather and enjoyed a spectacular 3 days riding through the Kyrgyz wilderness. The scenery has been absolutely breathtaking and the pristine landscapes cannot possibly be done justice by the photographs here. Camping out at Lake Som Kul will undoubtedly be a highlight of the trip for everyone and the challenging, but thoroughly enjoyable riding has put riders and bikes through their paces. Once back on tarmac the guys have enjoyed a few nights of hotels and hot showers before the long legs of wild camps to come.

15/7/9 – The Silk Road

After a fairly slow and hot border crossing into Uzbekistan we are now riding through some of the most famous regions and towns of the ancient Silk Route. Kiva is a fascinating place to visit and our hotel is right in the old town. The winding streets are littered with beautiful and crumbling buildings adorned with the traditional blue tiles which typify this part of the world. Minarets rise up from the tight, winding streets and it is a great place to explore. Kiva is followed by a long, hot ride back over the Karakum Desert to Bukhara where we have a much enjoyed rest day. Another pleasant hotel in the midst of the splendor of this 2000 year old Unesco World Heritage site. As well as enjoying the sights, the chance to rest up, relax, wash clothes and sink a cold beer is more than appreciated after a tough few days riding in the heat of the desert. Finally we have a fairly short ride to Samarkand to complete the trio of Central Asia’s finest and most famous medieval cities.

From here, thankfully we head into the cooler, higher areas of eastern Uzbekistan and then into the high mountains of Kyrgyzstan for some off-road adventures through the Tien Shan. Next update, Bishkek…

13/7/9 – Turkmenistan and the Karakum Desert

Having worked so hard to get into this rarely traveled country the experience of Turkmenistan was brief, but fascinating. Riding a long hot day from Turkmenbashi to the Capital, Ashgabat, the riders received a taste of the searing heat of the desert for the first time – riding through a fan assisted oven is the analogy which springs to mind. The capital really is something else and has been constructed around one man’s ego – the late president Turkmenbashi himself. Shining, marble-clad hotels and banks line the deserted highways through the city, and golden statues of the man himself litter the central district. A pretty unique place, and also a perfect opportunity to either rest up for a day (group 1) or catch up on time lost during the boat crossing (group 2). Once more it is on the road and northwards towards Uzbekistan.

One of the highlights of the trip so far has been riding into the Karakum Desert to visit the burning craters of Darvasa. Legend has it that a local farmer threw a burning tyre into a crater which was originally formed during exploratory work for natural gas. The resulting explosion, more than 30 years ago, left a burning furnace which still rages to this day. Visiting the crater at night was a pretty memorable experience and not one that many will forget in a hurry – about as near to visiting the gates of hell as anyone would wish to get!

8/7/9 – Georgia, Azerbaijan and rusting cargo boats

Thanks to the continuing problems in Iran, our new route has involved two brand new countries and the challenge of crossing the Caspian Sea to get into Turkmenistan. After collecting Azeri visas in the distinctly European flavoured Tbilisi in Georgia, it is a short ride to the border and a wild camp in Azerbaijan. The temperature is beginning to rise once more as we travel towards Central Asia’s baking interior.

Baku, the buzzing metropolis and comparatively wealthy oil town on the Caspian Sea, is our embarkation point to get onto the boat which will hopefully ferry us to Turkmenistan. The boats are not actually passenger ferries but cargo vessels, predominantly carrying rail carriages, and they have no timetable. You get to the port (where no-one speaks English) and simply try and get onto the next available boat – whenever that may be. Thanks to our incredibly helpful interpreter and fixer, both groups managed to get onto a boat in fairly good time. Once on board there are no cafe’s restaurants or shops, and the facilities are decayed and basic to say the very least. Group 1 are lucky and in spite of some delays en route they have docked and emerge from customs by 5.30 am, a mere 30 hours after first boarding. Group 2 are not so lucky and in spite of a quick and efficient boarding, they end up stuck at sea, barred from docking due to high winds – they have a very slow 2 day wait, made all the more painful when their beer supply runs out. It is a very slow journey and only ends when everyone finally clears Turkmen customs and rides free into Turkmenbashi – we’ve made it!

Both groups are now back on schedule and have successfully bypassed troubled Iran and are enjoying the awesome sights, sounds and experiences of Central Asia and the Stans. Next update from the Silk Route coming soon…

26/6/9 – Eastwards to Iran? The adventure heats up!

Both expeditions have left Europe behind for good and are now well into the trip. So far, so good with all riders and bikes in great condition and having a whale of a time. We have had one or two minor spills (mentioning no names!) but as long as only prides get damaged then all is good! Back at Kudu HQ things are as hectic as ever thanks to Iran rearing its head over the last 10 days and this has been at the forefront of everyone’s mind recently, but more about that below…

Group one have now left Turkey and crossed into… Georgia! Thanks to the current upheaval in Iran we are taking the safe and sensible option and diverting the trip northwards. Their route will take them to Georgia, Azerbaijan and then across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenbashi in Turkmenistan which means they can bypass Iran altogether. The expedition have had their first taste of wild camping and most are sleeping under canvas for the first time an many years with varied results! Most impressive (alongside the bolognaise for dinner) was Mike’s fire starting technique using a bow and friction. It is not all hardship though, and they have enjoyed the sights of Mount Nemrut, the bizarre cave town of Goreme and the ancient ruins of Ani on their way east with some very pleasant hotels en-route. They have now crossed into Georgia and have just enjoyed a rest day in Tbilisi. Today, with Azerbaijan visas already in the bag, they are off to their 13th country and the Caspian port town of Baku.

Group two have enjoyed the sights (and drivers!) of Eastern Europe through Slovakia, into Budapest and to Bulgaria via Transylvania and Dracula’s Castle at Bran. They crossed from Bulgaria into Turkey on Wednesday and the majority decided to take a detour to Gallipoli for the night as the support vehicle and remainder continued to Istanbul. It proved to be a great decision and the riders enjoyed a fantastic day winding their way up the coastal road from Gallipoli to Istanbul. Today they head into the mountains for their trail ride and to camp out in the wilderness for the first time. Group 2 will be following the first expeditio0n into Georgia and fortunately it is exactly the same route that Lee rode on the RTW recce last year and so in spite of the big changes, we are in a great position to keep the expedition flowing and on the move.

18/6/9 – Europe and a gentle introduction to RTW ’09

Having been blessed with glorious sunshine for the first evening’s camp in Northern France the expeditions have made their way south to Switzerland to spend a day riding the spectacular high passes of Grimsell and Furka as well as stopping off beneath the towering Eiger. From here it is back out of the mountains, through Austria and across Bavaria to Prague. There have been some long days in the saddle but all in all some great weather (most of the time!) and stunning riding have made the first week of travel a thoroughly memorable one for both expeditions. The first rest day has been spent in historic Prague seeing the sights and sampling some very cheap beer.

From Prague we have continued eastwards into the old Soviet block countries. From the narrow and winding streets of Olomouc in eastern Czech Republic to the beautiful, lush mountains of the Tatras in Slovakia. Some great riding and very pleasant scenery. It all makes for a gentle easing into the expedition. Most riders are thoroughly looking forward to the adventure really getting underway once we have left Europe and ride into Istanbul, but until then we can enjoy the sights of Europe during pleasant and enjoyable days on good roads.

Expedition two will arrive in Budapest tonight for another rest day before continuing through Romania and Bulgaria, and then leaving Europe in a few days time. For the first expedition the adventures are already in full swing however – they have already enjoyed their rest day in Istanbul and tonight they are heading up into the wild and remote mountainous region to the west of Anakara for their first trail ride and wild camp. Day by day the tourist trail is left behind and the sense of the adventures to come becomes ever more palpable. Road tyres have been exchanged for the knobblies and tomorrow they will be able to try out their fully laden bikes on the dirt for the first time. It is amazing to think that already they are just a few days ride from Iran and Central Asia beyond!

11/6/9 – And they’re off!

It is a quite surreal experience to come together to begin such an epic ride. The day feels like the culmination of months, or even years of planning and preparation but in reality this is merely the beginning. We have 16 weeks, 20,000 miles and 19 countries to go! When you think back over the last two years – that is how long many riders have been planning the trip – it seems almost unbelievable that we are finally all here, drinking cups of tea at the Ace Cafe, getting ready to ride to Dover. I am sure most people are the same and it will undoubtedly take some time for it all to sink in. Things have begun well and everyone has made it to the start line at least. There are some teary farewells, the obligatory group photo, and before you know it we are donning helmets and gloves, firing up engines, and double checking passports for the beginning of our great adventure.

Before we know it we are waving farewell to the white cliffs of Dover as we sail away across the English Channel. Our first night is spent camping and cooking for ourselves at a fantastic rural location in the depths of the French countryside. A chance to have a shake-out of our kit and equipment and get into the swing of looking after ourselves. Although most nights will be spent in hotels, there are long sections where we will be wild camping – particularly in Turkey, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Siberia. For some camping is a new experience – or certainly not one that they have experienced for some time – but by the time they roll into Vladivostok it will all be second nature!

31/5/9 – Expedition Training

Pre-trip training is now complete. It began with a 2 day session of off-road instruction under the expert guidance of ex-British enduro champion Geraint Jones at the Yamaha Off-Road Experience. Day 1 was spent on the school’s own bikes – Yamaha WFR250s and 400 trail and enduro bikes perfect for learning technique and building confidence without having to manhandle a heavy touring bike. Day 2 all riders took out their own RTW bikes to get used to the change in weight and handling. Well done to the few riders on R1200GSs for getting round in one piece! All credit and thanks go to Geraint and his team for running a fantastic 2 days training for us where everyone emerged having learned a huge amount in a confidence building environment. Bring on the trails of Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and the Trans-Siberian Highway!

The next 2 day session was spent in glorious sunshine at Kudu HQ going over the route and meeting the support crew, as well as receiving training in GPS navigation, first-aid and mechanics. Although the support crew are well prepared to deal with almost any eventuality, on a typical day most riders will be traveling away from the support vehicle and independently making their own way from A to B using their GPS and waypoints. Knowing what to do to keep your bike on the road or if the worst happens and someone has an accident is vital preparation for this challenging adventure. Many thanks to the team at CS Medical for their invaluable training. It is now the final countdown to departure and the starting line at the Ace Cafe looms. The pre-trip training has been a great bonus for everyone, and has hopefully gone a long way to prepare people mentally for what lies ahead, as well as giving them a chance to meet each other in a friendly and relaxed environment. We have 2 great groups who have instantly jelled and will undoubtedly have a fantastic time on RTW 09. Feel free to come down to the Ace Cafe on Thursday to see the guys off.

8/5/9 – Pre-Trip Preparations

Bikes and support vehicles to prepare, hotels to book, camping kit and equipment to purchase and route notes to write up. Preparing for a Round the World Expedition is not a simple task as you can probably imagine! Our staff are hard at work at our workshop in Worcestershire and already things are beginning to fall into place. Last week the expedition crew undertook 6 days of first-aid training under the expert guidance of Craig at CS Medical and are now hard at work with spanners and saws modifying the support vehicles and getting our brand new fleet of BMW F800s fully prepared for the adventures to come. It is only 4 weeks now until the first trip departs and the next big event will be the off-road training days in Wales. All riders will meet up for the first time since our post-recce meeting last year, and will no doubt be thinking of the Mongolian wilderness as they ride the tracks and trails at the Yamaha Off-Road Experience.