Jun 28, 2003

Adventures in motorcycling

Should you find yourself in Moscow in the near future, you should stop by the Balk-center for a photo exhibition of a brothers motorcycle ride, “From Moscow to Namibia.” Sergey and Aleksandr Sinelnikov are members of the Russian “Night Wolves.” They are the equivalent of the US’s Hell’s Angels bike crew.
The motorcycle in the foreground is a Russian “Ural” bike with a 650cc engine. For you motorcycle buffs out there, you’ll notice the shocking similarity to the pre-war BMW’s. These Ural’s are actually a Russian knock-off of that BMW design. The boxer engine, with the engine cylinders sticking out the side is a trustworthy and very reliable design, perfectly suited for the type of riding these brothers must have done on their journey.

Another motorcycle adventure is about to start as a Swedish woman is now preparing to ride her motorbike to Mount Everest’s base camp (and possibly higher) on the North Side this summer. Annie Seel is a competitive Enduro motorcycle racer and she’ll be making the round trip from Kathmandu as member of a Danish/Swedish team.
On the North Side of Everest trucks are used to get expeditions and their gear to base camp on the Rongbuk glacier, whereas on the South, teams have to make the trek from the airport in Lukla to BC. Nepal doesn’t allow motorized vehicles or even bicycles in the Sagarmatha national park.

http://www.mounteverest.net/story/AdventuresinmotorcyclingJun272003.shtml

Sep 25, 2003

Whatever happened to the Rally Princess?

Who says adventure has to be painful and difficult? Annie Seel, Sweden’s ‘Rally Princess’ recently returned from her ride to Everest’s North side Base Camp. Along with a support crew, the endurance motorcycle racer snaked along the dirt road from Kathmandu all the way to the Rongbuk glacier.
Motorcycle adventuring is becoming increasingly popular as riders take their enduro motorcycles around the world. As far as exploration goes, the motorcycle is one of the best means of transportation – quicker than foot (more fun too), more agile than a truck, and doesn’t eat as much as a horse.

Annie sent in a few words about her trip to ExplorersWeb recently:
"I didn't quite know what to expect when reaching BC, but I was stunned by the rough beauty of the Rongbuk glacier/valley where the sun was warmly shining on the mountain.
Also I was positively surprised that the BC looked clean, and no garbage flying around the area.
We were very "alone" foreign tourists at the BC, it was us 6 scandinavians and 3 americans we met there. The second day came some Chinese, and we learned that Tibet is more focusing on Chinese and Japanese tourists. I guess Nepal is more open for western tourists.
I felt very at home in Tibet, the scenery, rough mountains and kind people reminded me of the Atlas mountains in Morocco. And the Yaks are absolutely charming... but I didn't quite get to like the Yak butter tea yet."
Image of the Annie and her crew on their way to Base Camp courtesy of Annie Seel.