↓
 

Amsterdam to Vladivostok

A bicycle ride across Eurasia

Amsterdam to Vladivostok
  • Home
  • The Plan
  • Latest Updates
  • Photos
    • Photos from 2006 trip
    • Photos from June 2007
    • Photos from San Diego Christmas Ride
  • 2006: Bicycling through Russia
  • 2006: Bicycling through Ukraine
  • Equipment
  • Links
  • Weather
  • Why a bicycle ride across Russia?
Home - Page 21 << 1 2 … 19 20 21 22 >>

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

T minus 6 weeks, learning Russian

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on January 18, 2007 by mevJanuary 18, 2007

Hard to imagine that only six weeks until I start my leave. I’ve been learning some Russian this past year and a half and am even signed up to audit a class at Front Range this spring. While I am far from fluent, it does seem helpful to increase some vocabulary and pick up on basic reading and writing skills. We have three students in the class (two after I leave), so there is a lot of individual attention which helps.

I also signed up for a three week Russian class in St Petersburg. Hopefully help me pick up a few additional survival skills in the language as well as taking a short break from cycling Europe before setting off across all of Russia. Along the way, I’ve loaded Rosetta Stone Russian language software on my PC. Haven’t used it much, but seems useful in picking up some additional language.

A lot of attention on Russian so I’m not worrying as much about some of the countries I’ll stay in more briefly on the way to St Petersburg. Netherlands (fine, I speak Dutch), Germany (knowing Dutch and English helps me even with some German), Poland (nope), Lithania (nope), Latvia (nope), Estonia (nope). Will see how it all goes…

Posted in preparations

T minus 7 weeks

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on January 13, 2007 by mevJanuary 13, 2007

A few more preparations are coming in place. I have ordered my visa invitation for a 12 month business visa. Once the invitation comes, I’ll apply for a visa with it. I am signed up for a three week Russian language class in St Petersburg, so some more intense refresher on entering the country. I also am auditing a Russian language class at Front Range community college before I leave.

My bike is mostly ready to go, though the snow and cold has made riding more awkward. The plan is to leave Fort Collins and head down to Dallas at start of March. From there, I’ll do a mini-tour to ride to Texas Hell Week, ride some of that and then return back to fly from Dallas to Amsterdam at end of March.

Posted in preparations

San Diego

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 31, 2006 by mevJanuary 20, 2007

Another beautiful day and nice ride to complete the 2006 Christmas trip. Last night we had an “awards” night where everyone had brought a T-shirt and presented these along with a brief award. Many of them were for riding partners or those who helped out in the bad weather days.

This morning a final cleanup as church services were at 9am and so we had to get out before then. We also stopped for an overall group photo. I stayed for the photo and hence one day that I was one of the last to depart instead of one of the first. After a brief trip through Fallbrook, the route descended down towards 76 and then headed out towards Oceanside and the coast. The instructions weren’t quite right, but I found my way onto the bike path and reached Oceanside at mile 20.

From Oceanside, a nice ride down along the coast – through Carlsbad, Encinita, Del Mar and other small towns. Many people out at the beach and some surfers on the coast. The bike was riding well, and I was passing some folks on the ride. At 42 miles one last climb of 500ft up Torrey Pines and along the campus of UCSD. Once again, the route was a bit tricky here, but found my way to the bike path past I-5. A mile of bike path and then onto Mission Boulevard and last few miles back to the start at 55 miles. It was only 1:30pm, and had skipped lunch so was in before most of the crowd. It was a nice finish to a trip with wonderful weather and a good cycling route.
Ralph explainsGroup photoGroup startend of the trip

Posted in San Diego

Fallbrook

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 30, 2006 by mevJanuary 20, 2007

Beautiful ride today with a mixture of flat country in the morning and pretty hills in the afternoon. Bright sun with not much wind.

Left just after 8am. Calm cool temperatures and flat farm country roads. A few miles of riding past subdivisions before getting to countryside. The bike was riding well and quickly. After 16 miles reached the frontage road of I-15. This area had many recent housing subdivisions, likely bedroom communities for LA and San Diego.

At 21 miles crossed the interstate and into suburban Murrieta and Temecula. It was early, but got some lunch at Del Taco. Several other riders arrived.

After lunch a solid climb up the escarpment and then along hilly country. Orange trees, avocados and other plans I didn’t recognize. Lots of hills, but more downhill than up. Nice and warm and sunny. The road crossed several small streams.

At 45 miles came to De Luz road, with more uphills after that. Some slow climbing as others passed. One last big descent into Santa Margarita canyon and gentle climb up the other side into Fallbrook. Made it in by 2pm, so nice easy ride today. 55 miles total.
Winding roads on the way to FallbrookQuiet country roads

Posted in San Diego

Hemet

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 29, 2006 by mevJanuary 20, 2007

Beautiful weather and an easy ride today. We even had tailwinds past the wind farm! Most mornings there is some talk of the alternate route for the day. This time that alternate route climbed up several thousand feet before dropping back to Hemet. I was content to take the normal route.

Early riding on 111 through Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and then Palm Springs. A lot of cross lights, but fortunately not too much traffic to stop things. Former President Ford passed away a few days ago, so many flags at half mast as Ford lived in Palm Desert. Also a writeup in the paper about roads temporarily closed.

Most flat and cool cycling along the main road, occasionally missing a light. After 12 miles, cycle through main parts of Palm Springs before getting to outskirts of town at 17 miles. This area would normally have the worst winds. I see flags flapping…tailwinds?…tailwinds! Light breezes as I ride the next 10 miles past the wind farms. At this point the route briefly goes onto shoulder of I-10 before taking the next exit and going along frontage road. From here, slow climbing on frontage road and an early lunch at 31 miles at Cabezon. Several large dinosaurs grace the grounds here.

From Cabezon some more frontage roads past indian casino and outlet stores. At mile 35 a short climb via the Indian reservation before rejoining the main street through Banning. Some glass on the road but I remain lucky.

At 46 miles a left turn followed by a fun 1000ft descent into Hemet. Yeah! A few last turns through San Jacinto and then into Hemet. I’m surprised to find I’m one of the early riders to arrive. Set up my gear and relax after an easy ride. 60 miles today.
Dinosaurs!Hotel California

Posted in San Diego

Palm Desert

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 28, 2006 by mevJanuary 20, 2007

A long slow ride today. After yesterdays weather, the group was sensitive to weather possibilities. Word was passed back: dry, warmer but might be windy.

I decided to get going early. I was packing up at 5:30am, got a bite or two of breakfast and was on the road cycling by 6:30am. Frost was in the air and puddles were frozen. I descended in first 3.5 miles and then started a slow steady climb. It was peaceful and quiet. It was light but the sun wasn’t yet up. A slow steady ride was interrupted by hiss… My front tire had ridden over glass. I stopped and slowly fixed the flat. Something wasn’t quite right, until I found the spring for the brake.

Last night we had tire changing contest where winner changed a tire in 61 seconds. I was considerably slower, though my tire also had to hold air afterwards. Some slow steady climb past Ranchita at mile 12. Slight breezes in the air foretold of wind to come.

At mile 14 I crested small hill and started 3500ft of descent to valley below. It was a fun, though not too fast descent. I stopped once for some photos. Whoosh! Finally at mile 25, things leveled off. I stopped in Borrego Springs market for some snacks. The other riders now started passing through.

From Borrego, it is 30 miles across the desert. Winds were calm to start, but picked up as we got close to Salton City. Some pretty strong cross winds. The first 20 miles were smooth but last parts of the road were rough. Along the way, many people camped in the desert with RVs and their motorcycles and dune buggies. It was dry open desert with clear blue skies.

As we pulled into Salton City Super Burger at mile 55, the large flag was full out under strong breeze. Yikes, it would get a lot tougher here. First some lunch.

After lunch, it was slow, steady cycling at 8-10mph into the wind. The wind was steady, though slightly less than I anticipated. The road was quite busy with trucks passing close. The next 14 miles were slow upwind slog.

At 70 miles turned off the highway onto smaller roads past some orchards. The wind was still persistent but at least it was flat. I could feel that I had ridden some miles, though fortunately the day one cramp was gone. At 78 miles was the “Valerie-Jean” stop with notation – you need to be here by 3pm to make it before dark. It was 3:20 pm. Oh well. Several people already stopped, though I decided to slowly keep going.

The next miles were slow and steady. Seemed like the wind even picked up. By mile 88, it was dark enough, I switched on my lights. Last few miles it was dark. The highway was a bit busy, but kept going slowly as miles counted down. Finally, 5:45 made it in.

Many others arrived before I did, though if you were slow and didn’t start early, then these folks SAGed the last bit before dark. I’m happy I started early. Tired but satisfied faces at dinner tonight. 99 miles today.
Borrego SpringsDesert overlook

Posted in San Diego

Warner Springs

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 27, 2006 by mevJanuary 20, 2007

Weather made for a tough ride today. We knew that a “quick front” was coming through, but it was still dry as breakfast started. Word passed quickly, “its raining”. People with tents pitched quickly dashed out to pack the tent before things got wet. I had chosen to sleep inside, so just packed things up.

I took off about 7:45am. The first nine miles was a slow climb of 2000+ feet. The clouds closed in with wind driven rain. I couldn’t see very far as we were mostly in the clouds – no views but peaceful amidst the sound and fury of the storm. At 9 miles, reached the summit and then slight descent to Laguna Store. Several others had caught up to me by then. Some bought extra mittens. Fortunately I had some wool mittens and balclava to add.

The next twenty miles the riding became tougher and colder. Initially we stayed in the trees, but as we got lower we came into more open areas. The wind picked up. I could feel the gusts and had to work hard to keep straight. Other cyclists passed. One woman from New York passed and then struggled with being blown off the road. After the second time, she was blown off, she started walking. A SUV noticed her walking, and stopped to offer a ride. From later conversations with other riders, this was a common occurance.

I kept going slowly against the wind. Another rider came behind and followed for a bit. We cycled up to small ride and were stopped by a strong gust. Moments later it started to sleet. Strong pellets of wind driven sleet/hail stung our faces. We hopped off and walked with faces avoiding the hail. A short walk and then back on the bikes again, now watching for slick roads.

The last six miles to Julian were slow going. Hail, wind, sleet and cold added to the excitement. While it was only mile 31, I was happy to see the cutesy little town. At end of the block was Miners Cafe with several bikes outside. I added mine to the mix and entered.

It was nice to get out of the wind and cold. As I ate lunch, I started shivering. My legs were wet and cold and I wasn’t exercising as much. This didn’t look good, so though about SAGging along with other riders who were gathered. It would be a bit for a ride, so walked through town. Despite cold, I was feeling better. So decided to try riding.

Next few miles went around Julian and then descended into Santa Ysabel. As I descended, it warmed. Yeah! I was feeling better as reached Santa Ysabel at mile 40. From here a fairly straightforward ride north to Warner Springs. A challenging weather ride.

Riders traded stories about the day. Common themes of being blown off by wind gusts, stung by ice pellets and extreme cold. Quite a few SAGed, though some others had ridden as well. It was nice to get here and hopefully the storm will blow through from here.
Tire changing contest

Posted in San Diego

Pine Valley

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 26, 2006 by mevJanuary 20, 2007

Christmas traditions are those things done year after year, with their own particular rituals and patterns. The San Diego Hosteling International bicycle trip fits that description well. I’m riding it for the third time this year, so it is fun to see some of the patterns and slight differences. For example, the route sheets have been reprinted since I rode in 2003 (finally!) though the new sheets aren’t followed any closer than the old sheets.

Today was a solid day riding to Pine Valley. Only 52 miles, though we climbed from sea level to over 4000 feet so there were some slow uphill slogs and even one I walked. I hadn’t ridden much in the last few months and was riding a new bike, so I felt the hills today.

We gathered at University of San Diego at designated starting time, 7:30am. There was good turnout, with almost 100 people. A show of hands showed that about half were new and half had done previous years rides. I recognized some familiar faces. People checked in while others got their bikes set up. After about an hour the yellow rental truck showed up. I helped load luggage.

Don Schroeder whistled people over and gave intro and ground rules for the trip. After that we were off! Traffic was light as we cycled through the city. Within a mile, I felt a sharp cramp in left calf. Ouch! This wasn’t a good way to start. The route sheets directed us to bike path – but everyone continued straight on the main road, tradition!

After 11 miles, a left turn onto Father Junipero Serra Trail. This had obnoxious speed bumps, so going was slow. After this some back roads through Lakewood and then up the hill to parallel I-8. The grades slowly increased as we rode into Alpine for lunch. The deli was a popular choice and I waited there as well. A nice relaxing lunch before getting back onto the hill to keep climbing.

At 39 miles the frontage road ended and the on ramp led to I-8. The next 3.3 miles were on shoulder of the interstate. A bit noisy, but otherwise reasonable riding. I could feel the climb in my knees and was going a bit slower. At mile 44 one last stop at the Decasso store, before riding the last bit to Pine Valley.

Each night was stay in community centers, churches and other places. Pine Valley is the most cosy, though looks like a number of people with tents. Nice to get here at end of a long though not extreme ride. 52 miles today.
DescansoInterstate 8Lunch stopRegistration

Posted in San Diego

San Diego Christmas Ride

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 25, 2006 by mevFebruary 17, 2007

Christmas in San Diego and time for a bicycle ride. Over the past two days, I’ve driven from snowy Colorado to southern California to
take part in the annual bicycle ride organized by Hosteling International. I did the same ride in 2002 and in 2003. This year is the 50th anniversary of the original ride. This posting is also a test of posting via email to see if it is possible to update the website via email. Tomorrow the 26th the ride starts for real. I’ve taken my Trek 520 bike on this trip for a trial ride. Since November, I haven’t gotten much cycling in, so I’m sure I’ll feel the extra riding and particularly climbing.

Posted in San Diego

T minus 3 months

Amsterdam to Vladivostok Posted on December 2, 2006 by mevMay 6, 2007

I ordered a new Trek 520 bicycle. It arrived mid-month. I had customized it in a few ways: (1) adding 48-spoke rear hub for strength (2) adding a solid front rack (3) adding a longer stem (4) adding fenders (5) adding leather saddle (6) adding steel pedals with toe clips. It looks like a nice bike to ride. At end of the month, I’ll take it to San Diego for the Hostelling International Christmas ride. If all goes well, this will likely be the bike I ride.

I’ve started looking a bit more at the Russian visa’s I’ll need. Seems like you can’t order them more than 45 days in advance. I’ll get a 12 month business visa that allows for multiple entries. It looks like there are several places on the web to order such a visa. Of slightly more concern will be seeing if I can get it registered for six months at a time – from a place in St Petersburg. It seems like most of them only register it for 3 months maximum. In any case, I can now start getting paperwork in place.

Posted in bicycle, preparations

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →
©2021 - Amsterdam to Vladivostok - Weaver Xtreme Theme
↑