Today we covered 580 km’s (~360 miles). Fall has already come to Siberia and it’s getting colder every day.
Mike Meyer wrote:
“Apparently it’s pretty cold here in the summer too. What’s up with that Siberia? I think I’m the only one not wearing heated gear.”
Soviet Generals.
Two night rest stop at Lake Baikal. Long but great day to get here through!
Lake Baikal is the largest (volume) freshwater lake in the world with about 20% of worlds fresh (unfrozen) water. It is the deepest (5387ft), one of the clearest, thought to be one of the worlds oldest lakes and is home to approximately 1700 species of plants and animals, two thirds of which can only be found here.
Irkutsk.
Randy McClanahan wrote:
“Trans-Siberian Railway.
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting’ for a train ….
I wonder what Janis Joplin would have had to say about the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is the longest railway line in the world, connecting Moscow, Mongolia and Beijing. Since we are going through all those places, it makes sense that we cross it many, many times.
If you are a motorcyclist who has ridden in Mexico, you know about the dreaded “topes,” or speed bumps that will take a careless motorcyclist down instantly. Well, Russia has topes on steroids. At most major crossings of the Trans-Siberian Railway, there are large metal plates that hydraulically raise to stop anything from getting on the track. Hit one of these at speed and you will not like the outcome.
My friend Dan spent a few days on the TSR on a past motorcycle trip around the Black Sea. Based on his description, I plan to make all my dealings with this railway of the motorcycle kind!”
“Ever since Ewan McGregor visited it in his documentary “Long Way Round,” Lake Baikal, the “Pearl of Siberia,” has been but an unachievable dream on many motorcyclists’ bucket lists. Yet here we are!
At 25 million years, it is one of the oldest lakes on the planet. Some geophysicists hypothesize that it is a nacent ocean. It is one mile deep at places. The water is quite pure, and drunk by people all over the world. It contains 20% of the world’s fresh, unfrozen water. It is surrounded by pine forest. It is home to some 1700 species of plants and animals, two-thirds of which can only be found here. It is 400 miles long and 1400 miles around. It even has fresh water seals!
We took a boat, fished, picnicked, drank vodka, beer and wine. We hiked, and really liked the locals. We even panned for gold. In all my days, this was a good one!”
Baikal omul is a whitefish species of the salmon family endemic to Lake Baikal. It is considered a delicacy and is the object of one of the largest commercial fisheries in Siberia. In 2004 it was listed in Russia as an endangered species.
Fishing at the lake Baikal.
Hey John,
I wanted to let you know that I have been following your blog. I feel like a dog drooling for a juicy steak!! One day soon I hope to be able to eat that steak!! Give my thanks to Mike and Lee-Ann for the excellent updates. Hope to get in one more long ride before winter. Have a safe ride. Your friend in West Virginia, Chris O’H
Hi Chris, great to hear that you are enjoying the blog so much! :) We will have to post some more pics to try and twist that rubber arm of yours! You know you want to do this ride…… 2016 is calling! Having a great time, tomorrow we head in to Mongolia for a few days and then on to China! :) Will pass on your message to David and Lee-Ann. Looking forward to riding with you again soon. Kindest regards to you and Jann.