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The TTR250 FAQ web pages -> TTR250 -> Overlanding a TTR250 -> London to Mongolia (17,000km) on a 1993 TTR250
Post Info TOPIC: London to Mongolia (17,000km) on a 1993 TTR250
jireland


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London to Mongolia (17,000km) on a 1993 TTR250
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On 16th July I set off from Totnes, Devon on my 1993 Yamaha TTR 250 as part of the Mongol Rally. My friend, Rory bought a TTR from the same year especially for the trip too. 

Joined by 331 other vehicles (321 of which are small cars with around a 1 litre engine), we did a lap of Goodwood Motor Circuit near Brighton to launch the epic trip halfway across the globe. 

I'd bought my TTR about three months earlier and was confident I'd made the right choice of bike. I had a rack fabricated by an Engineer in Totnes to hold my soft luggage but apart from that the bike was ready for the trip.

I took the advice of people on this forum that the place to go for spare parts was Totally TTRs. Steve and Lisa Attfield pulled out all the stops to deliver a range of spares including chain and sprockets, cables, bearings etc. They gave up a large chunk of time and sympathised with my small budget which I'm very thankful for. Steve has continued to provide help throughout the trip when I've had mechanical questions. I'd highly recommend Totally TTRs.

We covered Europe, corner to corner in just under a week. A tough start to the trip and a surprise for my backside- helped massively by the sheepskin seat cover! We searched out the green lanes and dirt tracks along the way to break up the endless motorway miles.

Turkey and Georgia came and went but we were really looking forward to Armenia. We had a day to cover it top to bottom (500km) and the majority of it was dirt tracks with cambered hairpin bends, river crossings and fantastic views. Possibly the best day I've had on a motorbike. 

Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were fantastic countries to travel through and the people so friendly. The roads were incredible as we travelled through the mountains and deserts but unbearably hot at times. The bikes handled the heat well and the common deep pot hole! We were really just waiting for Tajikistan and the Pamir Mountains which we'd heard so much about and were a large reason we'd bought dirt bikes half way around the world. 

Fortunately they came and they did not disappoint! A high dirt track traversing the mountains with large drops either side which went on for nearly 1000km. Unfortunately Rory's starter motor gave up on the first day in the mountains and although it was an option to bump start the bike at each stop, it didn't seem a good idea for him to continue. I was to continue in the Pamir's in convoy with some friends and sad to leave Rory behind. 

I spent a total of a week in the Pamir's and was overwhelmed by the mountains and the high passes I crossed. I'd recommend it to anyone. 

I'm now in Kyrgyzstan and over the next three weeks I'll travel through Kazakhstan, Russia and finish the trip in Mongolia.  



-- Edited by jireland on Monday 22nd of August 2016 05:55:16 PM

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Cubber


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What an adventure and what views.

It's a pity Rory's starter isn't now starting.

I hope it hasn't put a damper on the whole trip.

Good luck for the rest of your journey.


Martyn



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Just.. WOW!!!!!!



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mossproof


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Outstanding trip. Keep waving the flag for small cc bikes! Think I would have carried on with the two bikes/one starter though - the "entertainment value" should earn you points at the end Or was Rory becoming the outcast of the group with people melting away whenever he needed a towstart? Well done and great pics by the way.
Safe travels,
Simon.

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ttr steve


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Ace stuff Jeremysmilesmile

Glad we could help you outsmile

Shame you had to leave Rorycry How is he getting on?

Good luck with the rest of the trip, fantastic photossmile

PLEASE keep us posted.

Steve



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Scruffy


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I'm doing London to Bishkek on a TTR (with my wife who is on a Yamaha XT250). We are currently in the Osh Nuru (in Osh unsurprisingly). So if you see another TTR on your travels in Kyrgyzstan, it is probably me.



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jireland


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Hi All,

I thought I'd let you know that I made it to the finish line of the Mongol Rally!

A total of 17,500km in 55 days, through 20 countries, over 5 mountain ranges and through 3 deserts. It was an incredible trip and I'm convinced I had the right bike for the journey. 

Since my last post I crossed into Kyrgyzstan where we stayed with several friendly families in their yurts and camped in some incredible spots. The roads were varied and required a sharp eye for pot holes. Kazakhstan offered fairly dull riding but I past through it fairly quickly knowing the Russia's Siberia was not far where I'd heard of the clear rivers, long mountain roads and good roads. It didn't disappoint but was far colder than I had expected. 11 layers kept me bearably warm enough and was quite a nice change from the 45 degree heat in Turkmenistan!

Mongolia came quicker than I expected and was a stark contrast to any countries I had been to previously. Dusty flat tracks with mountains rising either side of the valley and my first glimpse of Yaks - I had made it to Mongolia! Over the next 6 days I rode the rough tracks which split and rejoined, went over high peaks and through deep rivers. The TTR handled the terrain brilliantly. Some cold nights in the Gobi desert but fantastic views to wake up to each morning. 

I finally made it to Ulan Bataar which was an incredible feeling! The city didn't offer a great deal but still managed to celebrate with friends. The next day, I began the 550km ride to Ulan Ude, Russia where I'd be travelling further overland but this time on a train. I imported my bike and sold it to a very happy Russian guy who I'm sure will have a lot of fun on it too. Sad to see it go but it went above and beyond my expectations and served me very well. I didn't even get a chance to use the spares I had ordered from Totally TTR's!

A fantastic trip all in all.



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mossproof


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What a trip. Hooray for the little bikes! Fantastic adventure and some great pics too. Thanks for sharing it with us. New ttr when you get home?
Well done, travel safe,
Simon.

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jireland


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Absolutely getting a new TTR in the near future. Incredible bikes!



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ttr steve


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Great to hear you made it safe and sound, did your friends in the car finish and Rory get home safe?

Did you not fancy riding home againbiggrinbiggrinbiggrin

Seriously,smile

glad you had a good time and made some friends on the waysmilesmile

Happy to of helped the little bit we did.

Take care.

Steve



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TTRfan


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Nice one Jeremy - a trip that most of us will only dream of doing!

I love your fourth photo - stunning - and what I imagine the scenery to be.

I hope you left the Totally TTRs web page link with the new Russian owner of your TTR biggrin

Maybe he has joined the forum already?

Brian



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jireland


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Thanks very much Steve and Brian.

Yes Rory made it home safely and managed to sell his bike in the capital of Tajikistan.

I would have considered riding the bike home but I've continued my travels further east on the Trans Siberian Train into China.

All the best,
Jeremy

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RodYorkttr


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Excellent!

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  Europe & Turkey for under £900.00! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2yTtFPM7Xc
TTRfan


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jireland wrote:

I would have considered riding the bike home but I've continued my travels further east on the Trans Siberian Train into China.

Hi Jeremy.

I have just looked back over your thread and admired the fantastic photos and then spotted that you continued into China!

Any further info and photos of that part of your journey please?

Brian



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