Just taken a look at the post I put on yesterday.
Firstly would like to say a big thanks to you all out there.
I’ll address this to everyone who has answered me, collectively.
I’ll tell you something about me.
Old Git on a Bike
Hm I’m a bit like that myself.
I’ve bookmarked Smoking Tail Pipes website thanks for the info.
Gas Up - Lets Go.
Im just starting to read you website.
I’ll be 47 in a couple of months and have always wanted to do this trip, so now that I can afford it, I’m doing it.
I have ridden bikes since I was a lad, road mostly, I bought the Tenere about 3 maybe 4 years ago, and have used it on and off road, and it although old, works fine, always starts and never let me down.
Actually not the most uncomfortable bike I have ever ridden, the longest single ride I have done on it is about 5 hours.
I think the bike will do just fine, once I get it mechanically sound.
You have given loads of things to think about.
Well I am an international lorry driver and my dads family are Indian, live very close to the Pakistan boards near Amritsar.
I have visited India many times, first time when I was 4.
I have driven the lorry to Turkey and most of Europe.
I have a house in Bulgaria and have travelled and driven / ridden from UK to Spain to Bulgaria.
I would go straight across Europe into Romania and Bulgaria down to Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India.
I have been to every country except Iran, so that is the only thing I don’t know.
However over the years I have know some Iranians and they tell me that Iranian people are very hospitable to travellers, and I know that in the most part the roads in Iran are good.
This route obviously depends on getting an Iranian visa, lets hope that is not a problem, otherwise maybe I will look at going north.
Although I am not a cold weather person, I can stand any amount of heat but cold does me in.
Pakistan though I have visited once many years ago, I have never driven, but I have travelled in India a lot and Pakistan will be much the same for road conditions people and livestock wandering about.
My XT certainly looks like a bag of bones, and yes I agree that it should look so not just for the reason you mention but it has lived a little.
I lived in Spain for 9 years and did a lot or riding there, on and off road, on the XT actually, I would go out on the XT to route find, if I can do it on the XT then it is not that hard, and it makes you watch what you are doing because I can’t touch the floor, so have to get it right.
I am not the greatest off roader in the world, but I can do enough I think.
I just contact the RAC about carnet, I know a thing or two about that because I have looked in to this type of trip a few times and have used carnet when crossing boarders with the truck.
Yes I’ll look at horizons forgot about them actually, old age and all that.
Anyway thanks
Roger