Uno's if we'll get there? 2006-09-22 09: 43: 42

UB or not UB? [Completed...] 2006-08-12 13:14:51

Aaagh, on own now + tyre blew this morn on way bk tashkent. 1/2way thr changing it when uzbek family rescued us!Samarkand was fab, back now in kaz x

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] 2006-08-12 12:38:44

Took another short cut only to end up in HUGE pot plantation! Then discovered it grows naturally on roadside. Only in kazak.

Pedal Faster [Completed...] 2006-08-12 12:32:59

Just passed the 10,000 mile mark. Have been driving across Siberia for 2 days and the scenery has not changed at all! About 2 days to Mongolia...

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 12:26:35

Moscow. End of 2 days on train. Bath. Beer. Now. And in that order.

Team Marco Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-12 12:11:57

Just spent 2 hours in uzbek police station after we tried 2 cross the wrong border. Now got police escort 2 right border. Team marco polo

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 11:56:00

JEM, FLAG IS FLYING HIGH AND PROUD X

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-12 11:54:03

After brakes failed in hindu kush+we failed 2 stop-bumped into back of our friend palmizs car.Oops,luckily his has just a few scraps. Panda broke light+dents.

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 11:53:20

THANKS MUM DAD AND SARAH BIG HELP. FIXING A LEAKING FUEL TANK ON OUR WAY SOON. X

Nervous Breakdown [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 11:50:59

we arrived in ulaan bataar at 7 o clock local time. Time for a beer! Mongolia great!

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-12 11:37:41

Aargh. Just as we thought we were back on the road, Uzbeck border control spotted wrong dates on my Kazak visa! Need to go to Tashkent Mon to sort out!

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 11:06:16

just had a little oil crisis but all sorted now. Heading east towards lake bikal but still a long way to go. Insurance runs out it two days as well!

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-12 11:04:20

In uzbek after interogation about why we were in afghan.No lunch+tea at this border,just heroin searches.We were only people at border-no toursits ever cross.

Marcos Polo [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 10:44:18

no ring roads or road signs. just stopped for much needed coffee

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 10:00:55

Took a sneeky shortcut to save 300k. Took 8hours to do 180miles, road didnt exist! Real offRoading!

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 09:45:57

Arrived yesterday, been exploring UB and planning the week ahead. Mongolian horse riding, hiking, cricket. A holiday at last!

2006-08-12 09:25:15

Just spent 6 hours changing a head gasket in the desert and solving a wiring problem.Honestly thought it was game over!

Genghis Can [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 09:00:34

about to push to western mongolia. Exhaust fixed another 4 times plus new rear springs. Running out of games and chat.

Kahn It Be Done? [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 07:57:47

Border is hell. Had enough of kazakh 'roads' for now!

See You In A Bar In Ulaanbaatar [Abandoned...] 2006-08-12 06:44:14

Blown a head gasket between almaty and semey. Convoy helping out but spirits down...

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-12 06:43:18

Health a safety just chopped the bottom off our door to suck fumes out

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 06:36:59

ANYONE KNOW HOW MANY KAZAKSTAN TENGI TO THE POUND? TEXT YOUR

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-12 06:31:02

A sad day. Leaving the children's centre where the cars are donated, separated from our incredible little charade forever.

the dukes of harlow [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-12 04:39:41

camped out near almaty. Next stop russia - just after lil' scamp replaces that head gasket!

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] 2006-08-12 04:26:05

finally we made it back into russia after 11 hours at the border. They closed it for an hour this morning to make things worse. But on our way now!

celtic chancers [Completed...] 2006-08-12 02:53:57

Yesterday, on rd @ 7am. Drove 12hrs, spent 4hrs @ brdr. Refused entry 2 russia as embassy issued only sgl entry, then another 4hrs @checkpoint.

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] 2006-08-11 23:05:09

Got to russian border at 10 pm still here at 4 am and nothing happening. Just waiting and waiting, great fun!

Rustbox 360 [Completed...] 2006-08-11 22:34:17

On the dock leaving Azerbaijan and they are playing the titanic soundtrack.

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-11 19:49:25

Afghan hospitality the best! So many Thank You's to Mr Karimi, Shafi, Parwiz, Li Li, Ni, Park Hotel, Naviz, Ghorzi and all the Afghan Border staff!

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-11 19:44:21

Today. Finally made tracks to Uzbeck border. Disaster- major brake failure coming down from Hindu Kush. Now getting VIP hospitality from Police Chief!

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-11 19:38:44

Did some touristing in Herat & gatecrashed trad party. Men only! Good music. Bad dancing! Kabul v diff. Hung out with the Chinese and had our nails done!

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-11 19:34:32

Long negotiations @ border. Final compromise 2 send Bobo via Kandahar on a bus to Kabul & we flew. Had armed escort to Herat & out of this world hospitality!

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-11 19:25:55

Stayed in a lovely hotel in sabsevar. Met a lovely friendly people in iran,wonderful hospitality.made it to afghan border,where we were treated like royalty.

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-08-11 19:23:35

Arnold was found safe and well. Got very lost in tabriz. Met lovely guy who cleared it with police for us to camp in public park and took us for dinner.

Alan Paca [Completed...] 2006-08-11 18:34:28

broke out of baku! kinda sad afta a wk-was institutionalised.lengthy customs-made itin2turkmenistan&with incorect documnts.nxt stop ashgabat

Team progress map 2006-08-11 18:06:03

been stuck in port in Camp Baku with 5 other teams waiting for a ferry to Aktau in Kaz for 6 days, now eventually off! On 2 Bukhara in Uz.

Marcos Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-11 17:42:07

Today i managed to run over my own exhaust- not quite as impressive as Fran's petrol stunt, but getting there.

Team Desert Penguins [Completed...] 2006-08-11 17:01:55

Garage diagnosed prob, me & ste somehow fixed it & changed oil. Panda have snapped their leaf springs so we're stuck til morn. Locals helpin

Mongol Blues [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 16:40:19

slept in old quarry like pit out of wind. Passing semy just now should make russia this evening. Bognor n polo are in kaz but polos blown gasket

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 16:38:38

Approaching Samara by train. Good to see a green landscape once again. 36 hours of endless brews from the samovar. Beats BR any day.

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-08-11 16:30:00

Everything under control. Chris headed off down wrong side of motorway followed by fran.. Who also filled his car with petrol through the window...

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-11 16:21:47

Staying in samarkand for second night. Beautiful hotel and city. Fixed fuel tank today and found vicki an elephant. Heading back to kazak first thing tomorow

2006-08-11 15:37:08

Arrived Almaty. Daisy's right rear suspension colapsed 200 miles ago, made a suprisingly effective repair using climbing gear, slings & a rachet.

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 15:36:12

Made it to UB! Been out for celebratory dinner, sorting out cars tomorrow, and looking like flights out on friday.

Slikroute [Abandoned...] 2006-08-11 15:32:27

Stuck in ashgabad for last 3 nights.our attempts to extend uzbek & kyrgy visas have proved fruitless so only option is to go straight into kazak from here.

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 15:11:42

made it to semey. Its a dump! Trying to head to russia tonight if we can. G and j having probs with sus but at least roads are not too bad. 2100mi to Ub!

Flashmen [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 13:57:47

All hope rests on Black Flash - runs better now it's off high ground! Flashmen down to 2 as Alex leaves us in Almaty to return to work/Rhiannon

Mongol Blues [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 13:44:10

passed almaty on 9th. Grabbed beers and camped on mountain pass. Team sardinia joined us in their seat marbella. Blasting for russia, and ub.

Flashmen [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 13:35:44

Silver Flash - R.I.P. Lost a fight with a truck that turned without indicating! Alistair is bruised, stitched and concussed but in good spirits.

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-11 13:17:59

health and safety. Just taken angle grinder to exhaust. Now sounds like V8 tractor. Rad! Kick ass head ache from carbon monoxide

Team Twister [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 12:50:49

arrived this avo, bounced about 700 miles on broken suspension, will get fixed tomorrow morning, hopefully.

Directionless [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 12:32:03

We made it! Ulaan bataar at last! Got our pint in dave's pub. Showered and ready to celebrate! Time to see the country and prepare for the party. Yeeha!

Smokin Dragon [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 11:53:43

We did it! We did it! Had our well deserved pint at Dave's place. Going 4 drinks 2nite then exploring 2mrw. Chuffed to bits that we made it! : )

Team F1NSPCC [Abandoned...] 2006-08-11 11:46:40

Made Kazakhstan! No problems with Russian border. Finally bac on track after over a week!

celtic chancers [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 11:15:45

slept in car in field 2 sound of horse size dogs barking. Woke 2 sound of cow eating wing mirror. Had breakfast with local farmer & flies.

Mongol Dragons [Completed...] 2006-08-11 11:15:09

About 300 miles from russia now. Stopped at local market for lunch. Dave bought new pants. Rear springs broke today.

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-08-11 10:29:31

Crisis in the middle east aside,we have been assured by the powers that be that we will be leaving for Kaz today.I'd say we have a 50/50 chance.

Rustbox 360 [Completed...] 2006-08-11 09:48:07

Camp Beku day nine....

Team Escape The Stoke [Completed...] 2006-08-11 09:26:23

Made it to ulan batoor. Gonna check out dave's place and get a curry soon!

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 09:16:26

Safely over to Russia, on train, without Panda, & not too many difficult questions asked. Should be in Moscow tomorrow. Train held 3hrs @ border

Fiesta Fun Truck [Completed...] 2006-08-11 09:10:33

*Ahem* after yesterdays jubilance, progress slower than planned. Worst roads yet, heavy rain & rebuilding roads while u wait means still 300km from lake balkal

Mini Adventure (The B Team) [Completed...] 2006-08-11 08:41:24

Made it to the capital of mongolia today. Awesome adventure.

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 08:01:10

SPENT THE NIGHT BY LAKE ISSYK KUL. BOUGHT HONEY FROM BEEKEEPS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND HAVE CROSSED BACK INTO KAZAKHSTAN

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-11 07:36:02

Flagged down some random local and he turned out to be mayor of the region-he got it sorted.

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-11 06:57:38

We actually made it! Standing in UB, enjoying Dave's place, cold beer in hand, Minis and Snails alongside us. Never even broke down. Astonishing.

Team Snailracer [Completed...] 2006-08-11 06:50:58

At daves place having a beer. So how are we getting home?

Marcos Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-11 06:50:26

I managed to miss fuel tank and spray a load of petrol in thru drivers window. Not good. Omsk soon, maybe we'll see some other teams?

2006-08-11 06:41:10

After good food,good rest,good beer and amazing hospitality we're leaving bishkek for almaty

Team Oswestry 2006-08-11 06:40:34

Crashed car. Need lift. In Almaty. Just me. Text or call [phone] Beany

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-11 06:38:45

Car is broken, 100km from nearest town-hmmm.........

Boulder Mobile [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 05:56:45

Tashkent. Just passing through. Jon was sick last night. Bit delicate but ok now

Smokin Dragon [Completed...] 2006-08-11 05:10:36

The Smokin Dragon has landed in Mongolia. Yeah Baby! Doing the happy dance! Heading for UB : ) Then going exploring with Directionless!

Pedal Faster [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 04:00:08

happy birthday Julia! Spent our first night in the wilds of western Siberia. A lot colder than the Kazakh desert! No bears so far.

Team Snailracer [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-11 02:45:28

Team Desert Penguins [Completed...] 2006-08-10 18:44:57

Limped t uzbek, car goin t garage 2moro morn. We're doin bit beta. Sasha, shauns father in law is lookin after us very well! Another swanky hotel

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-10 17:19:09

Health a safety car coughing and loosing power exhaust system kaput

Team F1NSPCC [Abandoned...] 2006-08-10 17:13:03

Operation Escape from Moscow goin according 2 plan. Boarded the train last nite, entering kazakhstan 2nite.

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 16:50:00

another night in turkistan - enjoying goat pasties and local friendliness while waiting for tricky gearbox fix... A balmy 47 degrees!

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-10 16:24:21

Car is making lots of spluttering sounds, hoping it will be fine in the morning!?

Fuel? 2006-08-10 15:57:25

After 2 visas, ignition coil, distributer contacts & pin, 1 speaker, 7 mechanics, ANOTHER speeding fine,home made exhaust gasket, we're NEARLY out of Kyrg!

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-08-10 15:41:39

Between us we've been stopped 5 times today by police asking 4 souvenirs. We pretend we don't understand! Gits.

Directionless [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 15:09:11

did 2000km in two days. Lake baikal is lush. Some really bad roads in russia. Weather has been a bit crap but getting better. Mongolia today, hopefully

Team Tangerine [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 15:07:50

Tashkent! 10 days grime oil sand washed off - if I had to choose shower or sex? Exhaust rear shock welded - ready to roll.

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-10 14:59:56

Crossed into uzbek in 3hrs.Lots of kids reaching into car 2 take things, guards threw stones.Heading 2 samarkand from Tashkent but main road closed by guards?

Nervous Breakdown [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 14:56:56

we're in irkutsk finally road was long and not good. Met a great guy vladimir helped us out. Car not great but doing ok.

2006-08-10 14:52:22

Bk in kaz, headin 2Almaty. Somehow got across Uzbek border with Bens nackered visa & PC printout of V5. Russian border next, shd be interesting...
UB or not UB? [Completed...] 2006-08-10 14:06:37

No probs at uzbek border- guards blew us kisses even shook our hands?Has been nudda except ohmygod it's GIIIRLS driving stares.headg to samarkand nowx

the dukes of harlow [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 12:47:33

leaving bishkek tomorrow after ALL our springs went. New lada ones lifts our car 7 feet above ground! Anyone know state of roads 2 barnaul? [phone]

Hillbilly Hotrod [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 12:09:49

Almaty! Anyone else here?

Team Snailracer [Completed...] 2006-08-10 11:43:13

We're in Mongolia

Mini Adventure (The A Team) [Completed...] 2006-08-10 11:17:12

Well we're finally in mongolia the 2nd mini in mongolia ever come on

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-10 11:07:33

We're in! Welcome to Mongolia, said the head of customs as we passed through the gate. Sitting just outside Altan Bulag waiting for snails and minis.

Mongol Dragons [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 10:38:39

just leaving almaty heading north. Met lots of ralliers in hard rock cafe last night. Borat wanted £80 for a new tape player so still no tunes.

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-10 10:23:27

Just cut up a kazak policeman-oops. He ended up just giving us directions to the supermarket as im hungry.

Team Miscellaneous/JIM AND BEN!! [Abandoned...] 2006-08-10 09:26:08

Team miscellaneous, in bishkek on our way past almaty today, aiming to hit russia in a three days. . .maybe. .Probably not. . .

celtic chancers [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 07:23:23

@5458 mls. Leaving almaty after good night out with other ralliers & many, many beers & vodkas. Hotel 'quality' was authentically soviet.

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 07:17:29

BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN RD TO BISHKEK WITH 3500M PASS. SILK RD HOTEL COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 07:04:54

Passing through almaty, crazy traffic. Engine running like bag of nails. Border crossing yday fine but VERY hot.

Fiesta Fun Truck [Completed...] 2006-08-10 06:48:42

good & bad, amazing interesting lady in krasnoyarsk took us in 4 night with her dad/flights we'd 'booked' do not exist. Hoping 2 make lake balkal by morning

Team Dairy Devil [Completed...] 2006-08-10 06:25:10

Lived it up in Tashkent whilst having the car bodged up. Sampled quite a bit of Bulsac, local 16% beer. Now heading through the mountains in Kyrgezstan

Couple-Of-Wrinklies [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 06:09:09

survived kyrg mountains.mostly 1st gear up n down!gers n horses everywhere! unreal!

The Mongol Frauds [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 06:06:05

the turkmens bug all hotel rooms+read texts. stopped by police20times+ charged $150!crazy f*ing Niyazov! Paranoid twats.code red code red.

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-10 06:02:29

Through Ulan Ude. 210km from Mongolian border. Snails broke down-air filter problems, but fixed. On our way again.

Self preservation society - White [Completed...] 2006-08-10 06:01:21

uzbek visas expire today, ben stil at embassy. Assuming we're not deported will be heading north-east kaz from tashkent. any1 on same route? [phone] Tiff

Bonkers Bovine [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 05:30:21

found hotel to spend night,very basic but OK. Plan to cross into Russia today, currently only 150mls away

Team Escape The Stoke [Completed...] 2006-08-10 05:07:09

Now running a photocopier straight off the generator so they can copy our documents. Rest of the border still has no power. Madness.

Team Escape The Stoke [Completed...] 2006-08-10 05:05:45

At mongol border. They have a power cut and a generator with no fuel. We've supplied the benzine, seems to have speeded things up!

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 04:36:09

back in kazah, about to start trek north to semey.

Team Twister [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 04:22:17

front left suspension is decidedly dodgy, spring ok, but shock is buggered. All night drive ahead of the rest to try to get it fixed, fingers crossed!

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 03:17:49

In Zhosaly pondering repairs. 'Befriended' by local Dalziel & Pascoe who are intriegued, resourceful & helpful. Exit strategy is crystalising

Bravo5 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-10 00:28:17

first night camping in real rain but all dry and ok. Altai region is amazing-big mountains and rivers. Direct run now to Mongolborder. Coverage patchy

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-10 00:15:45

Mozzie infested rooms and concrete beds in the Hotel Baikal, but better than camping. Trying for the Mongolian border today, 550km away.

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-08-09 22:08:44

The continued Israeli incursion into Lebanon is a disgrace. The Security Council dithers while innocent civilians die. The blood is on OUR hands.

Boulder Mobile [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 19:46:26

Bukhara is a beautiful city

2006-08-09 19:19:22

Blagged it bk 2Tashkent across 2 borders with no V5 & nackered passport 2day. New docs 2mo, celebrating @swish hotel with beers by the pool :-)

Penguin Power [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 18:28:36

Top tip. Ask police for lapel number when they fine you. Quite often the fine then won't happen!

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-09 17:49:08

town called shimkent. Crushed fuel line, smashed headlight & poss burst fuel tank. BluePeter glue & yogurt pot effort required, engineering degree not required

Nervous Breakdown [Completed...] 2006-08-09 17:35:50

Camped with Fiestas last night. Done 400 miles today into the last time zone now. Very much in the forest. Just driven over wooden bridge with holes.

Team Desert Penguins [Completed...] 2006-08-09 17:03:39

Errols in real trouble, hopefully meetin a little uzbek fella 2moro 2 help us n take us into his home bless him. Everythin else good, jst bit worried

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 16:34:33

Almaty. Busy fighting the traffic in another stinking city. All good other than a pair of englishman tans, some worse than others!

Send A Rhino [Abandoned...] 2006-08-09 16:33:17

Just passed 6000miles and roads have finally got smooth again for a while.Last 500km have been really bad.Car was running badly due to 76grade petrol.Better now

Slikroute [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 15:31:03

.woken up last night by an iranian soldier &marched at gunpoint to their offices where they confiscated my camera as they thought we were spies.Crazy.

Plague Dodgers [Completed...] 2006-08-09 15:26:21

Another day in the garage! Waiting for gb yack polo to be lifted onto a lorry and carried into kyrgystan! I think there may be four in our car by tomorrow!

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 14:45:17

checked into a hotel with air con as all but h suffering from deli belly! H and b snapped clutch cable today but managed to get it welded. North tomorrow

Team F1NSPCC [Abandoned...] 2006-08-09 14:25:35

Moscow wont let us leave! We r stuck in a lift in an apartment block- 4 fuck sake this is gettin silly.

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 13:46:10

made it to bishkek it kyrgystan. Will head for the kazah border tonight and hopefully make it to almaty tomo.

Team Escape The Stoke [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-09 13:26:05