The Wondering Cyclist

Chinese Visa

Ivan Sharpe — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:17:32 +0000

Got my 90 day Chinese visa from the embassy in Tashkent. No hassles and no nonsense about LOI

Will need to get a bus to reach the border before my Kazakhstan visa expires but what the heck!

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Ivan Sharpe — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:12:28 +0000

Day 129

Reached Tashkent, Uzbekistan, what a cracy place! Just don’t try cycling here!

Just been to the Chinese Embassy to try for a visa! What a difference, at last an

embassy that want’s to help! Looks like I will get a 90 day visa after all!

Day 108

Ivan Sharpe — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:25:20 +0000

Kazakhstan has been hard to cycle. They have undertaken to rebuild the whole road network. Seem to spend most of my time dragging my bike through soft sand and gravel through clouds of chocking dust.
I have reached the town of Shymkent and taken a few days rest.

Russia

Ivan Sharpe — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:40:52 +0000

Russia is a strange place – it has wonderfull friendly people but, as a foreigner I can not get my own internet access or even a phone unless I’ve got at least a 90 day visa (which they wont give me!)

Day 19

Ivan Sharpe — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:18:35 +0000

Well that’s Holand and Germany come amd gone. Now in Poland.
Slight problem with my bike – the trailer hitch has been clicking on the rear mudguard, that worked a couple of scews out, lost my rear reflector and worse, when I dropped over a large curb the back section of the mudguard shattered! Well at least I’ve now got lots of clearence!

Day 9

Ivan Sharpe — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:15:36 +0000

The Gods must be smiling, clear blue sky and warm sunshine. If this keeps up I’m going to need to get sunblock!

First 500km done and reached Arnhem. Will cross into Germany tomorrow.

Day 7

Ivan Sharpe — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:32:03 +0000

18th April (Day7) 122km /462km / 168m / 2671m / 2% 7%
It was flat calm last night and slept well. Glade I paid the extra £6 for a sea view. The ferry got in 07.45 but that’s really 06.45 because of the hour on the clock.
Very easy to get out of the ferry terminal at Hook of Holland and clearly signed cycle tracks all the way to Rotterdam. I tried to be clever and bypass the centre but got caught out by the wet bits and ended up heading north! Luckily I met a cyclist going to see his brother in Rotterdam and he guided me back and made sure I bought a map of Holland!
Then I magically found the sign for the next town on my route and spent the rest of the day following the dykes to the eco village of Culemborg. The entire place is made from sustainable timber and have solar heating.

Day 5

Ivan Sharpe — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:46:48 +0000

Cycled up to Harwich. Head wind all the way and still feeelng the strain of carrying full luggage! My legs bonked and all most had to walk / crawl the last few miles through the lanes!
Saw the news about the volcano and thought – er better book my ferry ticket. Got on the saturday over night just before they sold out completly.

Day 4

Ivan Sharpe — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:05:58 +0000

Given up on getting anymore visa’s. Cycled over Tower bridge and headed up to the village of Billericay. Discovered that crossing tar ridges is a bit different with a trailer! Front wheel ok, Rear wheel ok – then the trailer wheel slips down the wrong side of the ridge and the handlebars deffinetly start to shake!
Only covered 58km and I’m finding it hard work. Must have got fat and lazzy over the winter!
Planing to cross to Holland on saturday. That will be my second ferry of the trip.
Ivan

Hello world!

Ivan Sharpe — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:44:03 +0000

Down in London to organise my visa’s for my big trip. Well, got my Russian one so far, so guess I will be going that far!

Ivan