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

Just had the most mental night in volgograd with our local boys. Gone swimming in the river volga after the club! Girls here are amazing.

UB or not UB? [Completed...] 2006-07-31 22:51:36

Midnight border crossing from ukraine to russia. Tired. Loads of insects trying to bite us. Loads of russians finding us v funny. Taking forever...x

Mongol Blues [Completed...] 2006-07-31 22:37:52

Got into kazak, took 30 minutes! No idea where we are though, completely lost... :-)

Fuel? Team progress map 2006-07-31 22:23:56

after giving up on rd signs we used the stars to head east... a couple of hrs later we're in Kazakhstan at last! Now no roads let alone signs!

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 22:21:00

Border crossing - left Russia @ 22.40 and soon in no-mans-land. Crossed ferry by 01.00, but border processing VERY slowly...

Fuel? Team progress map 2006-07-31 21:41:56

along side Mongol Blues, we've shot over the baron landscape & had tumbleweed cross our paths, arrived at Astrakhan! But can't find boarder...

The Illusive Paddle [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 20:36:53

Jamie and Tom have got to renew their carboretor so progress is slow. Found Suzuki garage in Trabzon so hopefully sorted tomorrow, on to Georgia!

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-07-31 20:30:16

Have entered industrial wasteland - unbelievable hell-hole. Clocked 4000miles! Border guards nicked our fizzy cola bottles! Gits! Roads r not good.

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-07-31 19:51:25

Russian border guards - tom cruise tried to confiscate my leatherman and burt reynolds searched our car, both wanted presents from england.

Marcos Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-31 19:45:31

we're in russia, had a very reasonable 2 hour border crossing. The only downside was when Fran got taken away, they said something about a special work camp

2006-07-31 19:45:02

At Kazakh border. Caviar, beers and a bed for £3. Minis running like a dream, Life is good...

Mongol Dragons [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 19:44:50

camping in desert tonight drinking cheap kaz vodka:)

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-07-31 19:42:05

We entered Russia's most Northern border in only 2.5hrs! Local celebrities- they all wanted t-shirts! Heading into the unknown!

Bravo5 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 19:32:37

camped beside road north of Makat. No road for this stretch! Phone coverage becoming patchy-will text when able. All else okay. Bravo5 out!

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 19:30:05

Finally in Trabazon.Found Suzuki dealership ;-) Camping in a park next to a Mosque underneath a flightpath with team Alan Paca...

Mongol Blues [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 19:05:27

made it to astrahan after being stopped at a checkpoint where we realised all our docs were still in hotel room... Just need to find the border now

Team Dairy Devil [Completed...] 2006-07-31 18:58:26

Encountered a problem 4 past week. Was getting worst by the hour. Pulled in late night to a russian garage, lost our rear wheel drive but runnin on front 2

The Last & The Ludicrous [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 18:48:12

In a hotel in astrakhan for the night. Food and a shower! Kaza tomorrow!

Kahn It Be Done? [Completed...] 2006-07-31 18:26:36

Been taken in like family to a billiards club in volgograd,fed great food loads vodka and slept all for free.spent whole day showing us around.amazing

Alan Paca [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 17:44:40

2hrs getin alan fixd, workrs&kids from allova shop crowdn round!no eng but so friendly.suspension weldd & upgradd-now spring aswel as leaf!

Smokin Dragon [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 17:31:34

Camping 100km from Voronez. Not going to Uzbek & Kyrsek, car and time constraints! Going Russia all the way.

Bonkers Bovine [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 16:50:22

Got out of Russia 1am, Kazak border closed, slept night in no mans land. Drove thru day, met Mongol Shoebox, camping night with them

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 16:44:22

Astrakhan. Early evening. A break in today's long drive through semi-wilderness. Off to the KZ border shortly... & more wilderness.

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-07-31 16:23:07

Forgot to mention yesterday, mr speedy pants si got us our first speeding fine, a whopping $20.

Team Desert Penguins [Completed...] 2006-07-31 15:56:28

Woke up t russian locals beepin n shoutin, we soon befriended n they took us t a private beach, breakfast, cherry vodka n footy, really friendly!

OB1 2 GOBI [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 15:55:26

cruising through the azerbaijani desert about 80kms from baku where we catch ferry to turkmenistan.,

Fuel? 2006-07-31 15:53:18

Oh dear... Alex is in a cop car now. Caught seeding at 75 in 60kph zone. Should've got that speedo fixed! Only 100 roubles! Who knew a yellow triangle meant 60?

2006-07-31 15:51:39

got into Kazakhstan and just had 2nd repair fixed in 2days after dave bust suspension! A pair me kids fixed it!

Directionless [Completed...] 2006-07-31 15:46:33

Currently near voronez, russia, on a slight detour, skipping kazakstan to spend more time in northern mongolia. All well, even the cow. Ukraine rocks!

Mini Adventure (The A Team) [Completed...] 2006-07-31 15:32:55

Because of local developments in uzbec we've decided to head north which is still provin a problem due to the lack of proper roads

2006-07-31 15:32:38

The mini is fixed, we're leaving kharkiv and then tom thinks he's lost his passport we'll never escape the ukraine. . .Ever.

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 15:30:37

Back on the road after cobaling together an air scoop out of corrugated iron and zip ties to assuage the perennial over-heating issues.

Boulder Mobile [Completed...] 2006-07-31 14:49:58

Just had a 2 hour lunch break which included a swim in the black sea on the turkish coast. Lovely!

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] 2006-07-31 14:14:08

Flies ashamed to admit we've just been to macdonalds in kiev.. In our defence partly as they have decent sinks to wash in... Desperately in need of a shower!

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] 2006-07-31 14:04:32

Ukraine corrupt cops really starting to annoy us now, grrr... Dragged into police station for some harassment last time, joy joy... Aiming for russia asap!

The Hearse Flies [Abandoned - but finished without car...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 13:36:36

ukraine - fun and games at boarder due to fencing swords in luggage, but somehow charmed it - 4 hours , zero cost, not bad at all!

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] 2006-07-31 13:21:23

Good news h and bs car was ok. Just a seal broken and some sump guard rattle. Heading to volgograd now after visiting the ford garage for help.

Alan Paca [Completed...] 2006-07-31 12:58:08

rear leaf completely snapped, drivin yest &2day on neumatic dril. Headin2civilisation, needs mendin asap

Pedal Faster [Completed...] 2006-07-31 12:56:59

In georgia. V Beautiful and friendly but everything derelict and run down

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-07-31 12:53:31

I'm starting to wonder where the russians are hiding their road signs, because they're certainly not by the road!

UB or not UB? [Completed...] 2006-07-31 12:51:53

In an internet cafe in ukraine about to go to the beach. Heading for the russian border tonight and then on to volgograd. X x

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 12:48:50

Samara, another industrial arm pit akin to manchester. Stones throw from border, as rally distances go!

Mongol Mary [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 12:37:30

still lost but i don't care any more!

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 12:26:29

made it to rostov ben and james back about 70km waiting for a part, harry and Benjie getting fixed here. Other cars ok. Trying to get to volgograd asap

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-07-31 12:25:41

Top tip if you ever drive to mongolia-take more than 2 tapes that work otherwise you hav to listen to radio kazak.

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 11:44:02

Reached atyrau. Encountered first offroading, handled well but a little dusty!

Team Ramrod [Completed...] 2006-07-31 11:32:36

In russia! 92 dollars. Out of ukraine- priceless. Need phone soon.

Dave and Marc-O-Polo [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 11:21:42

Was with gooby,panda,blues+ pandamonium but at checkpoint 2hrs from hotel blues realised theyd left all documents at hotel.down to 4,slowly headed to astrachan

the scallywags [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 11:02:04

REACHED KAZAKHSTAN. 12HR BORDER CROSSING LOCAL HOSPITALITY 2ND TO NONE

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-07-31 10:45:13

We leave Nordkapp behind & head east 2 Russia. Mosquitoes the size of sea-gulls! Having a great laugh 2gether. Beards r getting longer, inc. K's!

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 10:42:32

Happy Birthday Mum!!! Sorry I can't be with you to celebrate, but I hope your having a great day. All love, J. X

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 10:42:31

'On The Road Again' to Trabazon after a morning dip in the suprisingly blue Black Sea with 'Georgia On My Mind'...

Lost And Hungry [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 10:41:59

Reluctant retirement. Illness strikes team lost & hungry. Now waiting outside the British embassy in the rain 2 establish where 2 dump the beast. Good luck all!

Marcos Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-31 10:23:37

Sam's made his first kill-there is now one less small bird in norway. Starter motor troubles with the polo but it seems ok at the moment.

Mongol Blues [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 10:20:21

bugger bognor snapped their clutch cable on way out of town. Now fixed so en route to astrakan. Had great night went to pizza place drank lots

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] 2006-07-31 09:53:49

Last day in russia, woo hoo! Stopped by police for the first time, change of trousers required. Also hooked up for rugby with other native ralliers. Job done!

Team Ramrod [Completed...] 2006-07-31 09:32:40

At border.

Blue Lightning [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 09:27:48

day off in volgograd. kazakhstan tomorrow after helpful ukrainian fixed the clutch.

YAKATAK Blue [Completed...] 2006-07-31 08:43:11

We leave Nordkapp behind & head east 2 Russia. Mosquitoes the size of sea-gulls! Having a great laugh together. Beards are getting longer, inc. K's!

Team Ramrod [Completed...] 2006-07-31 08:33:57

Headed to border. Morale improved now that on major highway. Sex motel was a trip but on problems. Slept 15 hours.

Monkey Tank [Completed...] 2006-07-31 08:31:33

Heading closer to the iranian border where we will meet mr hossein tonight. stuck behind our first iranian lorry. All going well we will be in iran tomorrow.

Boulder Mobile [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 08:16:48

just approaching Merzifon. This part of turkey is stunning and the people are really loving the 2cv.

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-31 08:16:00

Gb yak polo fined again- shock. Gave him a tenner and told him to do one...

The Last & The Ludicrous [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 07:51:58

Back on the road complete with new fan belt. Running well at the moment. Hopefully kaza today.

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-07-31 07:37:10

Stopped by a mansion in the middle of nowhere, Kazakhstan, to take pics of camels and gravestones. In convoy with snails, 8 other cars in the area.

The Scenic Pandas [Completed...] 2006-07-31 07:35:25

Made it to russia last night after 5 hours at border. Then ray and bens car broke down so getting a mechanic to have a look now.

Bravo5 [Completed...] 2006-07-31 07:10:41

Joined at camp in early hours by 5 more teams. Brkfast in swamp by Caspian Sea. We now have about 150km to go to Atirau. we are slow! lots of camels and birds.

MONGOLMANIA [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 07:02:33

very tired and dirty. Russia was crap, bring on kazakhstan. Jeep is going strong but as slow as ever. Will make aktobe later

Smokin Dragon [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 07:00:21

Crossed border, no major issues. Then John and Ed got done for 'speeding', got to love the Russian police. Going north to stay on decent roads

Fiesta Fun Truck [Completed...] 2006-07-31 06:48:48

Rallyer's - border crossing from Saratov in russia to Oral is a good one, 4hrs is standard, no bribes like the astrahan border, all guard's very cool. Good luck

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-07-31 06:48:20

We're up in a russian mountain and it's raining and freezing but the fact that we're still going makes it all alright.

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 06:05:48

Into kazak no worries. Gained btl beer & 100rubles from russian border guards. Isn't it meant 2 be the other way around!

Fiesta Fun Truck [Completed...] 2006-07-31 06:03:44

Made kasak boarder late pm, 4hrs 2 pass. Bus of locals helped fix engine about 40 of them! crossing very smooth. Been warned about bandit's an police, fingers x

Fuel? 2006-07-31 05:27:44

Checked the car, burnt a lot of oil on the 21 hour epic. Header is loose and we are missing some nuts, we have also shredded some metal gasket thing. Oops

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-31 04:51:08

Gb yak, plague dodgers & dog & goose for a 3rd time in a mile-no fine tho, hopefully they've now run out of police in this godforsaken hole...

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-31 04:20:08

Gb yak, plague dodgers & dog & goose just got pulled over $50 fine 100 yards down the road by big chiefs mate. Cheers. Good bargaining though. 50 down from 5000

celtic chancers [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 04:00:07

got lost in astrachan but made it 2 kazak. Friendly folk but pish @ doing forms. 4hrs of q waiting + bloody police. Aaargh! good camping.

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-31 03:54:27

Gb yak, plague dodgers & dog & goose just got fined 9000roubles by police. Just 4 being foreign. Chris got put in the big chiefs car. Some pant changing needed!

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-07-31 03:51:35

Panic over! Cash point found. Phew.

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-07-31 03:12:15

If anyone know's of any teams near Ufa in russia can you ask them to call biggy on [phone] cos we are in a spot of bother. Thanks.

Goldy Looking Micra [Completed...] 2006-07-31 03:10:39

7am heading north towards Kustanay about 120miles spent night in 4* field bloody cold, car going well on gnats pee petrol

Mongol Mary [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-31 01:45:31

so lost it's not funny, and have just found the russians don't accept cards. Uh-oh!

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-31 00:50:46

Chilling with Team Boosh in a campsite 20 klicks out of Samsun after an exhilerating mountain drive. Hi to Dave's mum!

Dave and Marc-O-Polo [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 22:53:44

Met mongolblues, gooby+panda by chance in volgograd.had beers with them tonight.pissed now so sleeping,but heading to kazak in convoy 2moro.We're in a hotel!

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-07-30 22:23:23

Finally into kazak after many hrs of the following- border guard saying rublie rublie and me saying no rublie rublie

Penguin Power [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 22:16:27

staying in Aktobe, Kazak for a couple of nights before we tackle the desert. With Squires on Safari

Team Miscellaneous/JIM AND BEN!! [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 21:50:42

The mini is bust and We're in kharkiv, we'll be on the road by mon, and then going to drive non stop until we reach south kazakhstan. Oh well it's all fun. . .

The Last & The Ludicrous [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 20:40:34

Fanbelt now a pair of tights. Nearly in volgagrad. Hopefully get sorted tomoz.

Team Loaded [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 20:26:58

We have arrived in the fatherland.Autobahn was nicht so kind to the motor.Can't believe it has got this far.Tmrw-prague,hopefully.

Team Desert Penguins [Completed...] 2006-07-30 20:22:50

Dashboard fallin off, ukrainian cops bent as a nine bob note, cost us a bit today. Currently @ t russian border hopin 4 t best! Bbq & beer await other side

Team Jager [Abandoned - returned...] 2006-07-30 20:13:58

now in tallinn, estonia - the first and last team here! thinking about caining it through russia in order to reach uzbekistan checkpoint. beer first.

The Desert Dashers [Completed...] 2006-07-30 20:01:45

Well made it to russia took 5hrs to cross border-just about recovered having fled camp last night from bears. all safe though!

See You In A Bar In Ulaanbaatar [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 19:57:45

Car got pulled over for looking like a police car. Had to cut blue spotlights. Scamp broken AGAIN!!

The Desert Dashers [Completed...] 2006-07-30 19:50:01

Well, we have made it to odessa now heading for russia. already bribing and a few police run ins. car good and in good spirits x

Bonkers Bovine [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 19:28:21

We just got 50 roubles FROM a policeman!!! Also told us big fireworks in astrakhan tonight we may stay and watch and then head for the border after that

Mongol Dragons [Completed...] 2006-07-30 19:26:17

Living like royalty in kazakhstan! Restaurant manager gave us free food and has let us stay in his house with swimming pool, sauna, snooker tables etc!

Fuel? 2006-07-30 19:13:48

Car sounding awesome! Apart from the backfiring, which sounds a lot like gun fire, i think we are on her last legs, limping in to kazak tomorrow

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] 2006-07-30 19:09:19

Pillow smells alluringly of smoke after boot light tried to set it alight. This will hopefully overshadow late night visions of kazak bandits.

Mongolian Taxi Service [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 18:40:27

In a field just inside the Kaz border with snails and bravo5, waiting for wrinklies and co.

Bravo5 [Completed...] 2006-07-30 18:39:35

We're in Kzstan! Camping just in from border. Will head to Atarau tomorrow morning then on toward Aral. Hopefully see spanish Bullfighters sometime soon.

Team Plan.a.Doo [Completed...] 2006-07-30 18:14:07

100 miles from Iraqi boarder, might pop in for tea ;)

Island Monkeys [Completed...] 2006-07-30 18:08:06

Only 50kms 2 russian border. Treated 2 hotel, thought had good tan, Just needed a wash! Chris, bump stop is still there! Plus all other glued parts of car....

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 17:40:57

Back on the road after temporary repairs to carb, engaging flipflop cruise control...

Mongol Rally Madness [Completed...] 2006-07-30 17:22:25

Five hours twenty minutes and a five dollar payment and we are over the russian border! Trying to get past rostov na donu tonight.

Team F1NSPCC [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 17:13:49

Stuck at Russian border 4 5+hours, looks like we may b about 2 get thru. Come on

Nervous Breakdown [Completed...] 2006-07-30 16:56:01

almost at kazakh border now. How are we doing in comparison haven't seen any1? Car is great. Is kazakh 2 hours ahead of moscow? Cheers for the txts.

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 16:05:55

Carbaretor bust. Need a new one from Suzuki... In Samsun which remains a good 220 klicks away. Bugger.

Alan Paca [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 15:21:05

drivin thro sum lovely turk scenery bit of a bang n not a lot of suspension goin on time 4 sum expert pointing n blagging

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] 2006-07-30 14:50:44

The vw in our convoy has broken, but the nissan is still going well althou it sounds extra sporty with hold in exhaust.

The Lumley Run. Episode 2 [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 14:49:40

One word describes this country - miserable. When god gave out smiles, the ruskis were standing behind the door. All systems go.

Mongol Dragons [Completed...] 2006-07-30 14:48:28

In kaz now. Sand dunes and factories - v similar to port talbot! Not much traffic but lots of camels!!

Send A Rhino [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 14:46:10

8 Days, 2879 miles and 4 and a half hours at the border later... we're in Rooski! Next stop, Georgia.

Mongol Mary [Completed...] 2006-07-30 14:22:13

Managed to bribe the russian police with multi coloured plastic balls. Some people are easily pleased.

Marcos Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-30 14:14:45

Having a coffee at the nordkapp which is about as far north as you can go in europe. Downhill all the way from here then?

Bravo5 [Completed...] 2006-07-30 13:50:13

We're just leaving Astrakhan and heading to border. Hope to get through tonight. Will try to catch up to Spanish Bullfighters but we only travel slowly!

Mongol Blues [Completed...] 2006-07-30 13:39:29

Made it to volgagrad, in hotel for a decent nights sleep, then head off tomorrow for the fun of the kazak border

See You In A Bar In Ulaanbaatar [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 13:36:41

James from the scamp has been sick on the side of the road. I blame victor the mechanic and his 3 bottles of wodka!

Fuel? Team progress map 2006-07-30 13:17:53

21 hrs of driving later, we've reached Volgograd! If anyone's around for a couple of beers tonight let me know! 07736 305110...

Mongol Mocha [Completed...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 12:52:15

on way to kazah border- still.

Up The Proverbial Creek [Abandoned...] 2006-07-30 12:00:09

Don't worry mum, we got out of that one alive!

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-30 11:45:00

Griffo got frog marched out of the club and dan woke up 15k outside of moscow. People are quite friendly here even if hey don't smile. About to head off kazh

GB Yak Polo [Completed...] 2006-07-30 11:42:12

Gb yak polo were making good progress until we got to moscow. Got on the vodkas with some rugby school russian and a russian pro mountain biker......

Team Mongol Shoebox [Completed - returned...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 11:25:31

reached volograd. Stocked up on loo paper & heading for the border!

pandarama.co.uk [Abandoned...] Team progress map 2006-07-30 11:17:13

Pulled over next to a concrete tank-statue by the rozzers. Couldn't pay £75 fine for not understanding them. Settled for a Monty Python DVD.

Alan Paca [Completed...] 2006-07-30 11:07:44

Woken by gunfire, turnd out we campd by jurrasic park fence in middle of nowhere. Folk quickly approachin so burnd off ignorin shouts. Ankara now...

Team Plan.a.Doo [Completed...] 2006-07-30 11:04:51