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Possible Route

Route Map
Route Map

Planning a route is a hard thing.  For this trip, I haven’t done a ton of research on route.  I found with my last trip to TDF that the route naturally unfolded, even though the lines I drew on my map last time were just about right.   I probably watched too much Indiana Jones as a kid.

So these are the lines that I draw before I even prepare the bike.  If you have any route advice, please leave a comment or send me a email!

My main route planning is mostly relating to the logistics of shipping across oceans or impassable countries like China and figuring out what I need to temporarily import the moto into a country.

For instance, there are many counties that require a Carnet de Passage, a prepaid bond that proves to the government that you’re not going to sell your motorcycle inside their country.   A carnet isn’t required in any of the countries that I visited in Central and South America– but apparently it is needed in a bunch of countries in Asia.

Who knows exactly which route I will take.  One thing I do know is that I’ll leave to the West and come home via the East and prove to myself that we live on a sphere… or maybe a cone.. still not sure about the other way.  I’ve never been good at geometry.

8 Comments

  1. Timmy D says:

    Dude. I am so there! and by there… I mean signed up for your blog excited to follow your progress and see amazing pictures :)

  2. Crystaaaal says:

    A sphere? What are you talking about? I thought it was an oval?? I actually had a student say that to me in the astronomy labs at UNT. =)

  3. daveg says:

    Ok, spherical .. not a sphere exactly. :)

  4. Jeff says:

    I’m assuming you already googled this, but just in case
    http://www.ehow.com/how_4849768_ride-motorcycle-through-china.html
    Maybe you can write a book too!
    http://www.chrison2wheels.com/

  5. daveg says:

    Hehehe, I haven’t seen that article, but I’ve done a bunch of research which suggested that it is possible to ride across China:
    1 – Can’t even temporarily import my bike in.. I have to buy a Chinese bike
    2 – Must have a Guide with me at all times
    3 – Often the Guide needs a driver, so you need to have another vehicle for the Guide and Driver. I’ve heard of poeple just getting guides and making them ride behind you, but I dont know how long ago that was and if you can still do it
    4 – Must have preplanned itinerary. This is what I’ve read “officially”, but from some of the ride reports, it looks like it is possible to just travel through the country.

    Either way, I have to ship my bike over to Mongolia.. so I may hop onto a train or tour… I may even just fly across. I’d _really_ like to see even a little bit of China. I think it may be out of my budget though. I was reading that by 2020 China is going to be the most visited country in the world and also have the most tourists abroad .. Crazy place…

  6. Emily says:

    A sphere? What are you talking about? I thought it was an oval?? I actually had a student say that to me in the astronomy labs at UNT. =)

  7. Amy says:

    Dude. I am so there! and by there… I mean signed up for your blog excited to follow your progress and see amazing pictures :)

  8. COOL!!!
    Our couch, beer, refridgerator, car (if we have one), sister, etc are all yours! Steve will cook a good meal for you. :)

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