Driving from Magadan to London, east to west June 2012. Follow our journey Starting in Australia to Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Europe and the UK.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Correction
I quoted the wrong tyre size last night. It's LT265/75/R16
We're just emailing Bolot now to see if he can sort some tyres. We're just about to set off back to Kuyubeme.
Wish us luck.
My pick of the options is to head to Ust Nera and on to Magadan. This is the main road, and Magadan has plenty of tyre shops. They even have some Australian style tyre places, complete with waiting room, big TV (showing Russian daytime viewing - special!)and bad coffee... (not sure how well they work in minus 30 though, that is why everyone works out of a dingy shed).
The 265 / 75 R16 is a fairly common size, so try in Ust Nera (even better, let Bolot know so he can check for you). There is more in Ust Nera than Kandygha. The road improves from Kyubeme northwards (in fact was in really good condition last year).
You have about 1200 km to go to Magadan, The last 200 km is bitumen. It is about 600 km from Susuman to Magadan, and 600 km from Kyubeme to Susman. The only towns of note are Ust Nera, Susuman, Yagodnoye and the Palatka close to Magadan.
The 4WD club members were willing to drive to Susuman when my brakes failed there... but I managed to nurse the car the 600 km with only the handbrake on to Magadan. All part of the adventure. I think that the Magadan locals view Susuman as "just up the road", so having trouble on this side is a far better place than the Ust Nera to Kandygha leg.
Dont stress out. Tyres are best viewed as a consumable item in this rough country. And you are on an epic adventure so expect to wait a couple of days here and there to get things sorted out.
Good luck, keep safe. And above all, enjoy the experience - you will have tales to impress your mates for years to come!
Despite the hardship it sounds like an amazing adventure. Imagine giving up then coming home and regretting not pushing through. That would be much worse then what you are going through now. 4 days waiting for a tyre isnt really wasted, you are in another country and these are all part of the adventure. You will look back and say we spent 4 days waiting for a tyre during our adventure where ever you are. Not, we came home because we popped some tyres on our driving trip. The blog is called Twomagadan, not almost to Magadan!
Anyway I know its easy for me to say this behind the keyboard while you are in a very foreign location but in the end you will feel better after you do it.
Also if its of any benefit everything is going great at the office. We have not set fire to anything and still have all our customers. So if you need to take an extra 4 days to get some tyres then you can use that out of my annual leave.
Anyway go look at some more butterflys or something and relax, everything is sweet.
Main and Cass, what can I add as a mother when you have friends and brothers giving you much wiser than anything I can say -thanks to you all for rallying around to boost the spirits! As Dave said what's 4 days in the adventure of a life time and as Paul mentioned, what has age got to do with anything. You've got each other and your a great team. You've weathered the entire planning process together and this is a minor blip! You'll look back at this when you're on the Cornish Coast chasing Doc Martin as a trip experience. I agree with Paul about Bolot and the vodka or if he is a non drinker (?) then send him something when you return home. He may be more comfortable with that if he doesn't want remuneration. Here endeth the lecture! Listen to the advise of all the seasoned travellers as they have all been there before. Love to you both. Mum. D. XXXXXXOOOOOO
Good news!!! Message from Bolot copied below. Graeme and Cassie, check your email from Bolot. If you have an english speaking host in Ust Nera that would be awesome!
Jon, hi.
If you are keeping in touch with them constantly, please, tell them that there is shinomontazh just before the town entrance. They can find tyres there. Also ask them to check emails, as I sent them my Ust Nera friend's mobile number. This is a lady, who can speak perfect English and promotes her region much.
I have been reading your blog as I am in Yakutsk awaiting a group of bikes and land cruiser , we're heading to the old summer road but it won't be untill next week . I did the old summer road last year if it's any help . Our vehicle has that size of tyre and we do have spares however sod's law would say if we handed them over we would end up in the same situation . I dont see any problem sourcing those type of tyres here in Yakutsk . Any thing I can do to help let me know.
I agree with Jon that tyres are a consumerable. Would you rather a suspension problem instead?
Perhaps you should lower your expectations???
Well, judging from the comments above there are plenty of people ready and willing to assist in times of trouble. Isn't great to see good human nature everywhere you go.
I also agree with Dave about not giving up. If you do, we will have to shame you both.
My pick of the options is to head to Ust Nera and on to Magadan. This is the main road, and Magadan has plenty of tyre shops. They even have some Australian style tyre places, complete with waiting room, big TV (showing Russian daytime viewing - special!)and bad coffee...
ReplyDelete(not sure how well they work in minus 30 though, that is why everyone works out of a dingy shed).
The 265 / 75 R16 is a fairly common size, so try in Ust Nera (even better, let Bolot know so he can check for you). There is more in Ust Nera than Kandygha. The road improves from Kyubeme northwards (in fact was in really good condition last year).
You have about 1200 km to go to Magadan, The last 200 km is bitumen. It is about 600 km from Susuman to Magadan, and 600 km from Kyubeme to Susman. The only towns of note are Ust Nera, Susuman, Yagodnoye and the Palatka close to Magadan.
The 4WD club members were willing to drive to Susuman when my brakes failed there... but I managed to nurse the car the 600 km with only the handbrake on to Magadan. All part of the adventure. I think that the Magadan locals view Susuman as "just up the road", so having trouble on this side is a far better place than the Ust Nera to Kandygha leg.
Dont stress out. Tyres are best viewed as a consumable item in this rough country. And you are on an epic adventure so expect to wait a couple of days here and there to get things sorted out.
Good luck, keep safe. And above all, enjoy the experience - you will have tales to impress your mates for years to come!
Cheers
Jon
Graeme and Cassie...
ReplyDeleteUpdate email from Bolot. He reckons Ust Nera should have tyres and was going to check.
I see your spot tracker says you are at Kyubeme right now. Good luck.
Cheers
Jon
Hey champs,
ReplyDeleteHang in there. http://nourls.com/dB
Despite the hardship it sounds like an amazing adventure. Imagine giving up then coming home and regretting not pushing through. That would be much worse then what you are going through now. 4 days waiting for a tyre isnt really wasted, you are in another country and these are all part of the adventure. You will look back and say we spent 4 days waiting for a tyre during our adventure where ever you are. Not, we came home because we popped some tyres on our driving trip. The blog is called Twomagadan, not almost to Magadan!
Anyway I know its easy for me to say this behind the keyboard while you are in a very foreign location but in the end you will feel better after you do it.
Also if its of any benefit everything is going great at the office. We have not set fire to anything and still have all our customers. So if you need to take an extra 4 days to get some tyres then you can use that out of my annual leave.
Anyway go look at some more butterflys or something and relax, everything is sweet.
Cheers
Dave
Hear, Hear
DeleteMain and Cass, what can I add as a mother when you have friends and brothers giving you much wiser than anything I can say -thanks to you all for rallying around to boost the spirits! As Dave said what's 4 days in the adventure of a life time and as Paul mentioned, what has age got to do with anything. You've got each other and your a great team. You've weathered the entire planning process together and this is a minor blip! You'll look back at this when you're on the Cornish Coast chasing Doc Martin as a trip experience. I agree with Paul about Bolot and the vodka or if he is a non drinker (?) then send him something when you return home. He may be more comfortable with that if he doesn't want remuneration. Here endeth the lecture! Listen to the advise of all the seasoned travellers as they have all been there before. Love to you both. Mum. D. XXXXXXOOOOOO
ReplyDeleteGood news!!! Message from Bolot copied below. Graeme and Cassie, check your email from Bolot. If you have an english speaking host in Ust Nera that would be awesome!
ReplyDeleteJon, hi.
If you are keeping in touch with them constantly, please, tell them that there is shinomontazh just before the town entrance. They can find tyres there. Also ask them to check emails, as I sent them my Ust Nera friend's mobile number. This is a lady, who can speak perfect English and promotes her region much.
Best,
Bolot.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog as I am in Yakutsk awaiting a group of bikes and land cruiser , we're heading to the old summer road but it won't be untill next week . I did the old summer road last year if it's any help . Our vehicle has that size of tyre and we do have spares however sod's law would say if we handed them over we would end up in the same situation . I dont see any problem sourcing those type of tyres here in Yakutsk . Any thing I can do to help let me know.
Niall
Slumeba@yahoo.co.uk
Unforgiveable, quoting the wrong size. LOL
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jon that tyres are a consumerable. Would you rather a suspension problem instead?
Perhaps you should lower your expectations???
Well, judging from the comments above there are plenty of people ready and willing to assist in times of trouble. Isn't great to see good human nature everywhere you go.
I also agree with Dave about not giving up. If you do, we will have to shame you both.