It's tough being an adventure motorcyclist

Sibirsky Extreme 2010 is underway. I have known for some time that it was going ahead in July when I met Walter in the UK last month at the Horizons Unlimited event. His bike had been upgraded in many areas from his original suppliers.

It's tough being an adventure motorcyclist

Who is corrupting whom?

I had also learned that Sherri Jo Wilkins would be joining Walter on the road West from Magadan to Yakutsk on her KTM.

Sherri Jo Wilkins enjoying Russian hospitality

Ian at Gatley signs was producing T-shirts and stickers while I gave the Sibirsky Extreme website a spring clean and setup a Facebook fan group last week.

At the same time I am receiving text messages from Simon Johnston in Mongolia with content to update the blog. Simon’s main objective was Mongolia and perhaps lake Baikal. While he is the captain of his own destiny it could make for a nice meeting if both the Sibirsky Extreme project 2010 and awayfromhere.org could meet Bolot Bochkarev in Yakutsk. For those that do not know Bolot is a journalist and the main man when it comes to networking with adventurer’s of all kinds passing through Siberia.

I wish them all well and look forward to the coming weeks adventures.

Before I write another thing I would like to thank Grant & Susan Johnson and Chris Colling & Dave Lomax at adventure-Spec for making my attendance possible this year. Without them it would not have happened.

the 2010 10th anniversary event was much bigger than previous years. As I rode up the driveway to Lumb Farm I said to myself “Oh Wow”. They had pulled out all the stops. There were more vendors, more bikes, biggest tents, a video screen. It was all together an impressive event.

The campfire was blazing, the road kill cookout was in full swing but most importantly the people made the event special. Old faces, new faces, adventurers to be and adventurers with many years and locations under their belts.

In addition to the great setup the weather was perfect. It was consistently warm and sunny for the entire event. 28C and wall to wall sunshine. You could not have asked for better.

Attendees included Austin Vince and Lois Pryce, Jenny Furneaux, Simon Gandolfi, Walter Colebatch, Jenny Morgen, Peter & Kay Forward and many many more that can be found here

This year I was of course without my F800GS and arrived on my 1994 CB500. I guessed I would be the only attendee on a CB500 but by some strange quirk of the universe two guys arrived on loaded up CB500′s. Not only that but they plan to ride around the world over 80 months on these machines. I was heartened by their story and impressed at their low tech approach to luggage and increasing comfort. They were good guys, with a good sense of humour and I reckon they will go far and I personally will be looking forward to reading their story.

To find more photos of the event have a look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/everywherevirtually/sets/72157624238859917/with/4736800180/

Or click on the gallery above.

The tyres turned up today which left only two more potential problems. Firstly how to fit them and secondly how to balance them.

Chris at adv-spec sent me a link to BTS (Bike Tyre Services)

I spoke to Matt who owns it and it turned out he had a cancellation in Macclesfield and was quite close to me. he turned up at 4 and was done by 5. A real decent bloke who did an excellent job, took a lot of care of the black rims and even told me that the last person had put my rear tyre on the wrong way around. He took my old tyres away and gave me a good price.

he really saved my bacon and saved me from a lot of blood, sweat, tears and copious amounts of swearing!

If you are in the North West of England give this guy a call. he’s good!

Matt: mob 07771 962 239

On the run up to Sibirsky Extreme everything is getting extreme… People are sending me extreme ironing boards, extreme underpants and an extreme notepad.

Of course it doesn’t get anymore extreme than the video you are about to watch below…

or does it? How about a bit of Lada extreme

On Sunday February 8th I rode down from Manchester to London to attend the Horizons Unlimited Overland Travel Event at the Ace cafe. I did it in less than 3 hours and despite a lot of snow laying on the land the roads were dry and clear.

I rolled into London and made my way to the North Circular road. It was a breeze to find as it’s straight off the M1. The area was a buzz with giant trailies and enduro suit clad riders.

All the usual suspects were there as well as some familiar faces from previous events. despite HU, Touratech, KTM, Metal Mule, The Mondo Enduro gang and other names being there it was less of an event and more of a casual meet at Ace Corner for a coffee, a bacon sarnie and a bit of tire kicking.

Most of us compared farkles and put faces to the various avatar names of the main forums. It was nice to finally see the legendary Ace Cafe and get a few souvenirs from the day.

People began to head off around 3pm and I suspect I was the only person to have come from so far North although I’m ready to stand corrected. The ride home was when the true overland adventure began as I rode the last 125 miles through a snow storm.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and will look forward to the next one.