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

through Tashkent 5pm crossed back into Kazak 7pm no problems. Looking for somewhere to sleep

Goldy Looking Micra [Completed...] 2006-08-07 02:49:35

At Russian/Mongolian border

Smokin Dragon [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 20:37:33

Staying in hotel tonight. Shower and beer needed. Going to check out the town in morning. Big stint to UB starting 2mrw evening. Urge of munchies at mo!

Flashmen [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 19:36:59

Flashmen taking in the sights in Bukara. More problems with Black Flash last night - may have to ditch it and continue with just Silver Flash

Hillbilly Hotrod [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 19:31:19

arrived last night & had a few beers. Checkpoints & heat! First bribe on rally $2

Team Twister [Abandoned...] 2006-08-06 18:55:39

car wouldn't start this evening... again! Turns out its a dodgy connection to starter motor, quick fiddle and away we go!

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 18:29:02

Arrived in Baku at 4am after the whole cooling system packed in.Stayed with legendary expat Derek. Getting drunk waiting for ferry to Kazak.

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-06 18:26:10

Health a safety my god just been to hicksville took a long cut woops

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-06 18:19:02

We might, maybe, possibly be there by 12. Perhaps you could send us the grid ref of Aqtobe oh geography wiz? I'll call when there and kiss you right back!

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] 2006-08-06 18:12:53

Ps. Off-roading hearse over hideous roads, average 8mph with sideways incline of about 45 degrees to compensate for lame ground clearance, now entirely normal

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 18:07:17

yrghyz - met yuri, kryg olympic shooting star, who got us a watermelon from a passing truck and showed us detour for better roads!

Rustbox 360 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 17:59:37

Still stuck in Baku with 5 other teams waiting for the Kazak ferry

Skoda Power Turbo Racing Team [Abandoned - returned...] 2006-08-06 17:55:17

Skoda Power concour, Romania is hell. We're getting out of here asap.

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 17:44:45

leavin tashkent headin for qoqand then osh. Met many donkey carts on inside lane with no lights- whats that about?

GO MONGOL [Completed...] 2006-08-06 17:41:37

Oops. 2 flat tyres from one pot hole means not quite Irkutsk tonight. Being looked after by friendly locals and eating Borsch at 1am. Poor cinqy.

Mongol Blues [Completed...] 2006-08-06 17:37:53

Camping near a lake just outside samarqand. Heading back to kaz tomorrow with gooby. Bugger bognor are off to kyrg with marc-o-polo, should meet in almaty

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-06 17:09:56

In Kemerovo. Just been out with snails and minis, had an excellent night. Siberia is a wonderful place, mozzies aside. Off to Krasnyyar tomorrow.

Bravo5 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 16:39:52

arrived Almaty early pm. Searched for Checkpoint and internet cafe to no avail! Pressed north abt 160km. Made clay exhaust bandage-good but fell off!WeOk

Nervous Breakdown [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 16:21:15

we're going to take it slower from now. In barnaul tonight. Some1 had better have taped the gp! Siberia big place!

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-06 15:47:40

Gb yak polo: Made it to uzbekistan. Just stopping off 4 a night in samarkand 4 a much needed shower. Roads r much better than kazakh desert. All good so far

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 15:45:12

Andjion. Heading to kyrg border tmw. Tashkent rocks. First set of mountains tackled, incredible sight. Toodle pip.

Team Dairy Devil [Completed...] 2006-08-06 15:09:22

Had a bad morning. James flipped Team Tangerine with Pat in. Both boys crawled out unscathed just shaken up. Managed to get the car back on its wheels. All ok.

celtic chancers [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 14:57:09

left nuclear town..scarey,smelly.Later found nice arabic town,indiana jones style. Class hotel quality food. Cheap! Ummm heaven!!!

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 14:43:25

Lost in Tashkent for hours. Now heading east. Left BonkersBovine who go north

Smithers and the Goon [Completed...] 2006-08-06 14:16:20

Dont drive across dried up lakes, they suck big time. 5 hours l8r n back on 'road'. Kazak is a s**t hole, never ever come here! Really! Moustash doing well tho

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-06 13:33:31

luxury-fresh local bread+bottle of sprite4lunch 2day- beats the stale bread+warm water we eat every other day!

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-06 13:27:14

Drove 110miles into the desert but road was impassable,got stuck 4 hrs in sand.Forced 2 change route and r now chasing the UB girls towards Aqtobe & beyond.

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-06 12:40:53

Stayed in awesome hostel last night- cool kid called umid showed us local sights.Samarkand ab fab-i would love to go back.Fav place so far!Every1 v friendly!

Mongol Dragons [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 12:37:15

In tashkent. Major car problems! Radio broken and electric windows not working.

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] 2006-08-06 12:11:12

Just had a swim in part of the old aral sea. Very very hot today so water at a premium! Heading further south east and trying to find some where to stay tonight

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-08-06 12:10:40

Small electrical fire yesterday with jerry cans thrown onto roadside. Polo had puncture @ 3.30am with large crowd gathering in village inc. drunk cop

Self Preservation Society - Red [Completed...] 2006-08-06 12:04:20

Thought we were finished when babs ate wheel bearings, but it's amazing what can be achieved with an old lada bearing half a sprite can and a little araldite.

Self Preservation Society - Red [Completed...] 2006-08-06 12:02:52

Thought we were finished when babs ate wheel bearings, but it's amazing what can be achieved with an old lada bearing half a sprite can and a little araldite.

Team Aspiritus [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 11:40:31

tuesday-clutch still slipping but catching up slowly.

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-08-06 11:40:15

Nearly 6000miles. Car tinkering slowing us up & being stopped by police who r simply interested in the bugs! At Kirov & heading 4 Perm.

Team Escape The Stoke [Completed...] 2006-08-06 10:51:12

Instead of charging us, they gave us vodka and a barbeque. And signed the car. And let us follow him to the road we wanted to be on! Sergei the legend!

Pedal Faster [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 10:49:56

had a wonderful time in the very beautiful Samarqand. Uzbeks have been much friendlier than corrupt, malicious Turkmen police!

Team Escape The Stoke [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 10:49:12

broke clutch cable in kemerovo. Momentary panic, then got a free tow to a vw specialist. Cable better than new with custom parts!

Smokin Dragon [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 10:45:35

Camped just outside town last night. Heading to Barnaul today. Need beer, shower and food.

Spanish bullfighters [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 10:44:51

cada vez mas frio. Entrando en rusia acercandonos a mongolia.

Team Marco Polo [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 10:40:18

Tea and club sandwhich in the grand turkmen hotel in ashgabat. This is the life! Team marco polo

Fuel? Team progress map 2006-08-06 10:12:49

leaving the convoy and making our way to Kyrgyzstan. Way way way too much to drink last night. Both really struggling... its gonna b a long day!

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 09:43:56

last 150 km have been on good roads but first 150 today were the worst around. Now trying to find a garage to fix sus on b and h car. But its sunday!

Couple-Of-Wrinklies [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 09:34:39

Tortoise convoy hit samerkand!out of this world!hotel 6quid each,buffy in courtyard!lots of cushions 4 girlies!cold beer 4 boys.heaven!

Goldy Looking Micra [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 09:24:46

what a fantastic drive from Irkutsk best so far, mongolia tomorrow

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-06 08:51:48

Just leaving kazan heading to yekaterinburg russia is flat and full of trees

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-06 08:28:47

pid:165 just leavin samarkand for qoqand then border at osh tomo. Still in convoy.

Fiesta Fun Truck [Completed...] 2006-08-06 08:08:59

Swam in lake @ foothills of mountains, very cold but needed. locals enjoyed our company so much, they didn't charge us the £1.10 each to camp. Off 2 Astana 2day

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 08:05:11

Weary of this awful route to Aral. Camped overnight 115 km short. Top speed 15-20 mph max.

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 08:04:31

Approaching Yrghyz. Detoured 120km seeking better road to Aral, on local advice. The jury is still out on this...

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 08:04:11

On the 'road' to Aral. Camped overnight near Qotyrtas. Very hot, dry & dusty. Often easier to drive offroad than on.

Send A Rhino [Abandoned...] 2006-08-06 06:56:24

5032 miles down and we're in Borat's homeland.Havent seen one speed limit sign yet but saw some camels yesterday.They're like giant horses with humps and stink!

Marcos Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-06 06:25:32

Our first blowout happened to the polo late last night, Badly dented rims. Changed wheel whilst being harassed by drunken teenage traffic cops.

Blue Lightning [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 05:56:03

Blue lightning nearly dead. Continuing to Aral with rusty and the rest of the ukraine convoy.

Directionless [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 05:40:03

tanking on got loads of miles under the belt. Omsk was really nice. Ed is being bitten to death but chris is fine. Been drinking green water. Whoops!

The Cannonball Hun [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 05:02:47

kazak beautiful, friendly people, headin oral then across and down.. Daves car is rubbish!

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] 2006-08-06 04:49:07

Flies on way out of aktobe in kaz... Currently wearing most of the desert... Dust is 'in' this season... But at mo we have both tarmac and gears, wahey!

Team Twister [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 04:25:39

just south of samara, heading to the border this morning!

Mini Adventure (The A Team) [Completed...] 2006-08-06 04:14:55

Well after all the bragging that their car was better the b team's car has broken down once again although we have lost music so it now 4-3 to the b team

Mini Adventure (The B Team) [Completed...] 2006-08-06 01:45:02

The a team have just let it slip that there radio went up in a puff of smoke 5 days ago! ! Sitting in silence lol

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-06 01:21:33

probably going to mosquito hell after killing several hundred last night. On the road to novosibirsk, making good time.

Goldy Looking Micra [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 23:39:10

Lake Baikal is stunning

Team Loaded [Abandoned...] 2006-08-05 22:37:50

Just cant believe we r this far.Transylvanian mountains in a 3wheeler from london.The hills r killing it,its beautiful but destroying our car...Come on baby!

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-05 21:44:37

Ben sleezing and me left to deal with bill. What changes? The russians can't drink for shit. Need to come to yorkshire

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-05 20:48:14

Made it to samarkand- uzbek. Motor way to get here had slow lane for donkey carts and 3wheel tractors. How odd!

2006-08-05 20:23:41

By far in a way the hardest day so far. 600kms, 46degrees, disgracefully bad Azerbaijani roads, one puncture and a very shaken bike.

Team Plan.a.Doo [Completed...] 2006-08-05 20:16:09

Met up with 4 other teams 4 t & beer in Ashgabad, no englishmen 4 years & 10 turn up at once. Have pillow #764 at exSoviet hotel - 12am night night

Mongol Mary [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 19:00:00

Mongol Mary have made it!

Mongol Mystery Machine [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 18:31:23

Just watched the sun set over the Kazakh steppe- now camping under the stars. Had free hotel + night out last night, awesome hospitality. Kazaks very big.

Team Desert Penguins [Completed...] 2006-08-05 18:07:18

Campin in desert 2nite, so beautiful. Seen a chinchilla! T londoner, also a shaun paid 4 everythin n is helpin us thru other contacts elsewhere! Leg

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] 2006-08-05 18:04:26

In taxi, just been joined by policeman who ordered a high speed car chase through tashkent. We got our target. Too good to be true!

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-05 17:21:59

Made it to samakand, just had my first shower in over a week and looking forward to wearing my last pair of clean pants

Bravo5 [Completed...] 2006-08-05 17:21:06

Camping near road from Taraz to Almaty. We're hoping to get to Almaty tomorrow, and then press north toward border. Scenery changing as we in further east. Ok

Team Ramrod [Completed...] 2006-08-05 17:10:57

Kazaks are great, though their country is very large and at times somewhat bleak. Rough roads really beat up the cars. Everything is covered in dust. Aktobe

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-05 16:42:17

Suffering car-lag having lost three hours in the last few days. Trying to sleep in a wet tent in a mozzie infested field in Siberia. Nearly in UB!

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 16:38:56

Tashkent. Unashamed to admit that we've just quaffed several beers at the SAS radison, the pool is just the right temp too. Shucks!

Mongol Blues [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 15:56:07

camped two quiet nights in kaz/uzbec desert. cars pounded on v rough roads. Convoy forced to stop in nuxus for repairs. Hotel v v wierd!

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 15:35:08

THANKS FOR ALL THE MESSAGES! IMAGINE DRIVING NON-STOP FOR AROUND 24 HOURS IN SCORCHING HEAT

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 15:05:37

aktobe - thought we'd never make it! Potholes size of planets, had to dig through sand dune, gearbox rebelling, and hotter than hades!

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-08-05 15:02:28

100K from Baku, 47c degree heat, the engine just started belching smoke, and the azerbaijarians have to be the most unhelpful people on earth.Great!!!

Team Plan.a.Doo [Completed...] 2006-08-05 14:35:03

Made it to Ashgabad in Turkmenistan with team marco polo. Border crossing was 4 hrs of stupidity - sweating buckets - mob working again yey

Hillbilly Hotrod [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 14:30:22

Stuck here for 2 days as the consulate is shut for the weekend! Cant get turkmen visas

Hillbilly Hotrod [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 14:28:04

very nice people

Hillbilly Hotrod [Completed...] 2006-08-05 14:18:04

Greetings from iran! Easy crossing.3400miles down. Dont use turkish money changers @ border! Heading for tabriz & showers

Spanish bullfighters [Completed...] 2006-08-05 14:03:11

Estamos a unos cien km de china... `Nos creeis ahora?? Un abrazo a todos

Team F1NSPCC [Abandoned...] 2006-08-05 11:53:15

Russian customs have told us 2 dump the car! Sorted tickets 2 Moscow and will get the train from ther 2 UB.

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-05 11:51:47

Gb yak polo: every policeman thinks griffo is kazakhstani. All good so far. They love signing the van here. Good banter

Mini Adventure (The A Team) [Completed...] 2006-08-05 11:49:55

Well we're back in russia so we're kinda on the home leg now just 4000km between us and UB

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-05 11:21:28

uzbek has a silly no, of police check points, some friendly melon sharing ones and some not so friendly ones.

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-05 11:07:14

trying to get this location map thing to work......

Pedal Faster [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 10:42:00

across border into uzbekistan having been stopped x13 in past 200 miles by police and stuck in sand dune

Pedal Faster [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 10:35:24

ashgabat marble fantasy city in boiling 45 deg desert. Country nuts

Nervous Breakdown [Completed...] 2006-08-05 10:27:35

We're in russia, again spent all night at the russian border. Roads so much better. Seeing lots of ralliers. Mileage 5249. Missing euro toilets.

Bravo5 [Completed...] 2006-08-05 10:18:35

Just through Shymkent and heading toward Almaty on a full tank of gas. Hot hot day with lots of grass fires on the roadside. Changed fuel filter. Swam in river

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

Welcome bed and shower stop in omsk. Just met 2other teams in service station, our first english people since kiev.

Spanish bullfighters [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 08:58:18

continuando con nuestra ruta pasamos almaty lanzados habia la frontera rusa.

Team Snailracer [Completed...] 2006-08-05 08:38:01

Back in russia and heading towards omsk

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-05 08:22:25

Roads a joke, have pic of pot hole as high as windows.Have to reverse away from some holes.Car taking a pounding.just put 80 octane fuel in, pinks and runs on.

Goldy Looking Micra [Completed...] 2006-08-05 07:36:59

About 150mls south of Kansk can we have our tarmac back please!

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-08-05 07:23:46

Bugs r very popular. Locals have never seen anything like it. Stares & waves everywhere. Big wave from Russian bride & wedding party! No exhaust.

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-05 07:12:46

Gb yak polo: just passed the aral sea. Progress is improving after dog and goose's car almost bit the dust. Super kazakh man fixed it, hilet is purring

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-08-05 07:06:29

Gb yak polo: having just escaped running out of fuel & food in the desert we r contemplating re-entering. Progress is slow as plague dodgers exhaust fell off.

Team Dairy Devil [Completed...] 2006-08-05 07:05:09

Broken suspension on terrible kazak roads. Currently staying with a truck driver called Valerie who speaks no english whilst the car gets fixed. All's good

Mini Adventure (The B Team) [Completed...] 2006-08-05 07:03:13

We have survived Kazakhstan and are now back in russia. One more border patrol to go but still 4000 km

Team Loaded [Abandoned...] 2006-08-05 06:44:49

Got a great slogan 4 romanian tourist authority: 'come to romania,our bandits will rob you.'

Mongol Minis - White [Completed...] 2006-08-05 06:32:45

Approaching nukus in uzbekistan, border crossing took nearly all day, road shakes cars to bits, lost front bumper, fuel gauge, fanbelt came loose, all at 15mph.

GO MONGOL [Completed...] 2006-08-05 06:27:21

Hello! In Krasnoyarsk now on route to lake Baikal. Slowed by crap weather, crap roads and non-existent road signs. But still going! Having a well earned break.

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 06:27:08

made it to aktobe and last 100km on good roads. Heading south east towards aral. Cars ok, lots of vibration from sump guard where touching engine.

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-08-05 06:23:36

Made it out of Kaz, back into Russia, the last bastion of civilisation. Usual 3 hours at the border, Russians friendly and helpful as always.

UB or not UB? [Completed...] 2006-08-05 06:14:24

Just escorted out of kazak town by friendly police. Couldn't find our way out - no signposts. Just had to turn left, right, then go back on ourselves!

Team Miscellaneous/JIM AND BEN!! [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-08-05 05:16:32

we dumped the mini but we are still going! Team ramrod, lucas speed limit and aces over mongolia have taken us in as refugees! On our way to shimkent!x

The Scenic Pandas [Completed...] 2006-08-05 04:36:24

In kazakhstan on shocking roads. Hit a big hole yesterday and had to fix our brakes. Other than that we are well. Any news from england?

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-08-05 03:49:56

Mary is not officially mongolian

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-08-05 02:21:07

More stale bread and water for breakfast this morning, yum. about 500km from samakand, should make today.

Penguin Power [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-04 23:07:43

Drinking Budvar in Uzbekistan. Everything cool now!!

Health & Safety [Abandoned...] 2006-08-04 20:54:01

Been pulled again by russian pigs for no reason. A quick bribe and back on track. Corrupt countries rule!

Team Tangerine [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-04 20:03:58

kazakhstan at last! 200 miles in 12 hours. UB by xmas?

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-08-04 19:33:13

made it to samarkand. Staying in very nice hotel. Locals tell us we're famous - mongol shoebox

Team Loaded [Abandoned...] 2006-08-04 19:09:00

Romania.Welcome to Hell.

Team Ramrod [Completed...] 2006-08-04 18:56:03

Hotel in uralsk. strange town mix of poor and wealth. Kaz mostly friendly and interested in rally. Many seen other cars.

Team Ramrod [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-08-04 18:49:15

We now have a third person in the car. Something... happened to the mini and so ben and james in other cars.

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-08-04 18:34:33

Thanks 2 all the laverys 4 the messages. Roads r disappearing, sand so deep we beached the car & had 2 dig it out. Sleeping in salt lake flat, heading S.E. now

Bravo5 [Completed...] 2006-08-04 18:27:12

Kzstan is massive! We've been here for days and still have miles to do. Had to use most of our fencing wire to hold exhaust together. Police gave us icecream!

Fiesta Fun Truck [Completed...] 2006-08-04 18:12:59

bumpyday driving, now we + team heather's leg sitting round fire on island on lake burrabay with fellow kazak campers :-) Aimee: making good time, meet in UB?

Rustbox 360 [Completed...] 2006-08-04 17:59:29

What country are we in?

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-08-04 17:33:39

Due to the fact that 'the wheel is on the wrong side of the car' we're only allowed 3 days in Azerbaijan! What complete jokers!!!