We finally got the call that the bike is ready and waiting for us in Moscow. We had a bit of mixed feelings. The price we paid was really good, but the timing of course was bad. It took double than projected. So to conclude you could say if you don’t mind waiting a few extra days in Moscow, go for the train solution.

As said before we had to go to Sibline, which is north of Moscow towards the MKAD to pickup the bike. As it was pooring down again today, we decided to get a taxi. It was an experience itself riding with this taxi 12 km through the city. I had to open a window!

We arrived at Sibline and saw the bike immediately in the box next to the railroad. A tajik guy came out with a hammer to help us open the crate. After 10 mins all wood was removed and we could put on our bike suites again. Actually I was really happy, because it would no more wet and cold feet. We had only packed some summer clothes on the plain, and it had been raining almost for the 10 days we spent in Moscow.

After connecting the battery the bike started up fine. I saw they had fooled around with my windscreen and not assembled it like it should. Some screws were even missing and I could not adjust my windscreen. Luckily I found the missing screws by remoIving a plastic, they had fallen behind them and were luckily not lost.

We made a stop in the McDonalds right next to Sibline for some burgers before heading into town again. I texted Tony P and he told me some guys were in town who attempted Road of Bones.

I rode back to Godzillas to drop off Larisa and then headed for Standard to meet the guys. I heard to their stories, and heard it was not possible due to the rain. Even the main roads sounded like hell, and I even heard a story of a guy who died on RoB this year by drowning.

In the evening I went back to meet Larisa in Scotland Yard, a pub close to our hostel. It was Scotland – Belgium on tv but unfortunately they only could show Northern Island – Portugal. Well it would be our final night in Moscow. Tomorrow we leave the capital and ride South-West to the Ukraine!