Bel Velentina place in Aktash

From Barsugan I rode the main road in Altai towards Mongolia. Pine forest and mountain pass with the range covered by snow cannot be described again and again how beautiful they are. I really love mountains at this point. If you ask me to choose between a beach and a mountain cottage, I would choose the mountain cottage so long I can ride there and there was no hike involve.

My journey timing for the day seems to be working. Wake up and only leave or start journey after 10am, traveling when the sun is high and reaching the destination of the day before dinner. Today I went through two mountain passes. Not really high but due to the latitude that was already so up north, it was blanketed with snow. I was freezing even with full gear.

The start of climb to Seminskiy Mountain Pass

Seminskiy Mountain Pass Rest Stop

Seminskiy Mountain Pass 

I reach Aktash just in time for an early dinner and then it was time to decide if I were to push on to Bel Velentina place for the night or find a hotel in Aktash itself and visit Bel as a day trip next day morning. 

I decided to push on since it was only 20km away and the road was good. Bel Velentina place was a weird place where he had staked vehicles up in the air like a madman but in fact he on the other hand was one of the warmest and kindest Russian I had ever met in the journey.

A little Town - Onguday if I am not mistaken  

Bel Velentina place was actually introduced by Andrey in Barnaul. Truely authentic beyond a doubt and I was mostly freezing since his place was higher up in elevation means now I was staying definitely below zero degrees at night. I chatted a lot with his family around the fireplace. A big furnace fireplace and yet it was still freezing to me.

2nd Mountain Pass - Chike Taman 

Chike - Taman Mountain Pass Pit Stop

I had actually planned to forgo any sort of bathing, but Velentina insisted that I tried the Russian Suana / Banya. It was definitely the way to bath in the freaking cold weather. Hot steaming room with another super-heated room to un-cloth and re-cloth after a good bath. All the cold seeping into my bones especially the fingertips and toes got warmed up and tingly again and I knew I was good.

Russian Suana or Banya is like a survival mandatory requirement. It’s not really the cleansing feeling that was important but the warming up of the whole-body proper in the cold weather that actually makes me felt so much refreshed.

Going Higher to Bel Velentina place 

Bel Velentina - The man himself

A cosy little Hut Dorm 

Next morning with Bragge buried in snow, I said a little prayer before firing up the engine. It was cold alright and sputtered and died many times, but it was firing up so with patience and trying not to force REV the engine for it could damage if I do. After a few minutes the engine was puffing, and I left it running for nearly an hour to properly warm up.

Bel Velentina Place where Spiked Cars & Bikes become a Novelty for Travellers & Photos

The Fireplace at Night Keeping me alive 

When I saw this house, I regrated not having a Uniquely Malaysian Shirt to add to his Collection

Cosy Dorm for the night 

Sun was out, bags all packed up and road seemed clear at about 10am. I bid my goodbyes to Velentina and his family then started the journey back down towards Kosh-Agash. Initially the night before they suggested me to go further in or up to see Katu-Yaryk pass but that morning with all the snow and cold biting through my whole gear, I figured it was better not to risk going up higher in elevation for there would be high chance of snow or ice on the road.

Snow Covered in the morning

I headed down slowly and mostly the roads were clear and clean but at one of the rocky cliff pass where the roads were wet and broken, I went very very slow being weary of slippery tarmac and also ice. It was a good thing too for I could not see the black ice on the road and Bragge started to skid and slide and no amount of brake even though the bike was moving at walking speed could stop the skid.

I fell and the bike skidded forward on the ice downhill and as Bragge skidded away from me towards a right bend, I could only pray that no vehicle would pop up at that very time and crush my beloved bike. I think Bragge skidded at most 5 meters and then stopped. A passing vehicle stopped further up and came back to help pick up Bragge, and slowly both of us push / slide / roll off the ice further downhill till there was no more ice.

Morning Snowline at Bel Velentina Place

Pushing off once the Road was Clear of Snow 

Skidded & Fall on Ice

I quickly fire up and ride Bragge to a save spot to do damage assessment. Dented spotlight which I just bend back immediately. Bent foot brake pedal which I had to somehow bend back for it was stuck on full brake now making the back brake lock up. I had barely any strength to bend metal but somehow manage to tease it a bit loose so that the back brake was no longer locked up. Felt some pain on leg and hips from the fall but that was all.

I rode slowly to Aktash and there found a workshop to brute force bend back the brake pedal. Everything back to normal and now that I was back down in lower elevation with no snow or ice, it was a short ride to Kosh Agash for the night. 100 km but with so many scenic stops just to enjoy the view, it took me 3 hours.

Nothing much in Kosh Agash for it was just my last stop 50km from the border. Tomorrow, I would cross over into Mongolia and to be frank I am a little nervous.

Travelled on: Sep 2024

A Cold Ride to Barsugan Café & Hotel

Today’s weather in the morning told me there was no hope in visiting the winding road up the mountains to the ski resort in Belokurikha with a scenic view. It was overcast with fog barely letting the sunrays through and partially tingly on rain.

I could have still done the circuit since it was only 20km the whole way and the scenic winding road was at most 10km from the hostel, but the weather was so gloomy that I would probably see nothing going up that circuit and have to brave poor visibility through treacherous bends. I decided it was not worth the trip and packed up for the day’s journey instead.

Overcast Weather in Belokurikha 

Fog rolled in on the way to Altai

I tried to start late but it was evident that the whole days weather was not going to change. Temperature was also freezing at 4 degrees and was not going to change much throughout the day base on google weather forecast. I was not taking any chances and fully gear up for the cold ride. Three layers of pants and six layers of cloths fully decked out.

The ride was still freezing especially the hands even with rubber gloves + jean gloves + hand warmers + rain shield cover. Visibility also drops at one point where the road decided to be crappy muddy trucker roadworks, but I had time on my side so a very slow going bike ride through nearly 10km of rough and cold road was no issue.

Altai is truly a beauty in nature I must say and I could tell that in summer this place would be perfect for camping everywhere just enjoying the nature. Log cabins were also almost everywhere hidden tucked away in scenic spots but also looked very expensive. I reached my destination for the day at Barsugan Cafe & Hotel sometime late afternoon.

Altai Region - Russia

Altai Region - Russia

Barsugan Cafe & Hotel was really just by the side of the road not anywhere near settlements and also not perched on any scenic path, but it was a clean hotel and a good cafe that even Andrey recommended.

I waited to check-in to the hotel not knowing how much it would cost me. Base on the online review this would be one of my more expensive stopovers costing me at least 3500 rubbles. Then again, all the nights in Russia I had somehow manage to get a cheaper price, so I had to try at least.

The administrator was away and I had to wait from 5pm all the way to 7pm where the junior administrator came in and quoted me a whooping 4800 rubble. I think she tried to give me the most expensive room. Unfriendly with a scowl on her face constantly. I asked if there was a cheaper room and was told to wait.

That wait was a long wait till 9pm. I was practically sitting on the floor and had waited for four hours at the hotel, and it had already become dark. If this was her scheme to force me to stay here, I would say it was working for it looked like I had no choice but to fork out whatever sum they name since finding another place at night in the cold was close to suicide.

I was rewarded for the wait at least. The senior administrator finally turned up and brought me to the underground room which only cost 1000 rubbles for a bed with shared bathroom. There was two beds but I knew that I would be alone since this was in the middle of nowhere and solo travellers are a rare breed.

Travelled on: Sep 2024

A Little Detour to Belokurikha

I started the journey from Barnaul to Bisyk late in the morning setting the navigation app for Black African Motorcycle Klub pit stop. Along the way it was cold, windy and nothing much to see as the terrain was similar to east Kazakhstan but roads were pristine.

I reach Bisyk in good time and located Black African workshop, but it was closed. I suspected that he had gone to Barnaul to join the closing of season bike event, so it was just a photo stop and then back onto the road. A quick ride around Bisyk town felt like this was an abandon ghost town. Old street was filled with unique historical building but somehow void of people.

Bisyk

Bike Point in Biysk - Black African

It was good thing that I was heading to Belokurikha then since Bisyk would have been a little wasted time. My plans changed to two nights in Belokurikha instead of two nights in Bisyk. The small roads on the map were still good tarmac all the way to Belokurikha and wonderfully manage to check into a private room at a hostel.

A short ride around Bisyk seeing old architecture buildings 

A wedding Photoshoot with old Architecture in Bisyk

Initially The Hive Hostel in Belokurikha told me they were fully booked and only one dorm bed was available for 800 rubbles a night but later in the evening offered me a private double room for 1600 rubbles a night. I took the upgrade since Russia budget was now fairly loose and I could afford some luxury especially when stay two nights in a row.

Belokurikha is a small resort town. I took a walk around the small main street seeing the local tourism scene and the next day started off by visiting a natural rock formation called the four brothers. It was a decent road with a short hike into the forest to see the rock formation, but the last part of the road was a steep 10% incline on dirt track which I did not want to risk with Bragge.

Little Sky Resort Town of Belokurikha

The road trail up to see the four Brothers Rock Formation

I opt to hike up the slope and then hit the trial into the forest. The rock formation was really something. In a forest of wood with barely any rocky ground, suddenly clustered together was some rock formation weathered to look like a human face. 

I had read that in this region of Russia “Altai” the people still believe in spirits of the nature. This rock formation felt sacred and I was glad I did a detour to see it.

Four Brothers Rock Formation in Belokurikha

Unique Rock Formations in Belokurikha

Riding back to main town for lunch, rain started pouring and did not stop. By 4pm I gave up waiting for the rain to ease up and headed back to the hostel to do laundry. It was a whole day rain affair where nothing much could be done.

There was only another location to visit in Belokurikha which was a twisting road up the mountain to the ski resort with many scenic views. With the weather against me, I would have to do it the next morning while pushing on further into Altai towards Mongolia. 

Riding out of Belokurikha towards the Altai Region

Fog, Rain and Clouds making the Journey precariously slow

The next days weather in the morning told me there was no hope in visiting the twisting road up the mountains to the ski resort in Belokurikha. It was overcast with fog barely letting the sun-rays through and partially tingly on rain.

It was time to ride on.

Travelled on: Sep 2024

Motorcycle Closing Season Festival in Barnaul

The ride from Pospelikha to Barnaul was an easy 200km. I started as late as possible around 1030am. There was a reason for this as currently the time zone in Russia is different compared to Kazakhstan hence the usual morning departure after a good sunrise won’t work since morning now is considered like dawn morning.

For that reason I delayed starting journey everyday in Russia. Have a good sleep-in late till about 10am then pack and go by 1030am after the morning chill has been thaw a bit by the sun. What I could not expect was the same vast empty terrain as Kazakhstan but only with super strong cold winds which forced me to slow down the speed along the very good roads to Barnaul.

Barnaul

Barnaul

Tram in Barnaul

The chill was biting through even my new rain gear, and I was more or less frozen every hour. Luckily Russia had good stops along the main roads that I could always stop for a bite and warm up with hot tea. Food changed very fast as well. There was now a good selection of pork meals and surprisingly more vegetables as well.

I reach Barnaul in the evening and checked into Globus Hostel a cheap but clean place for 600rubbles a night but at the fringe of the city. New country and finally a new proper city. I could not resist a quick walkabout the neighbourhood and was lucky enough to find that Barnaul has lots of little nuggets like sculpture to see while walking around.

Two nights in Barnaul and a full free day. I spend the whole day just walking nearly 10km going slowly through the city. People went about their lives without much foreign tourist or rather almost none at all. The first impression of Russian people was hard to affix.

Barnaul symbol is B with the Hidden Bear

Barnaul The city in Siberia

Barnaul the city in Siberia

One moment a local would stop and greet me in English but at another point when I sought out some help to find the post office, I got the door slam in my face as the international sign that they were not interested to help. It went on like this for the whole day in Barnaul and I am not sure what to make of the people in Russia.

In the evening I got a text from Andrey which I met in Ayagoz. The plan to visit him in Belokurikha had changed since he had come to Barnaul to attend the Motorcycle Club event “Closing of Riding Season festival” I went to the pre-festival since the actual was the next day and I had to leave Barnaul to conserve the precious days of my Visa.

A photo with local bikers in Barnaul Bike Closing season Festival

The Motorcycle Closing Season Festival Venue in Barnaul

Open space a day before the Motorcycle Closing Season Festival in Barnaul 

The riders swarmed me the moment I ride in and they were super friendly asking as much question as their English could muster. Barely 10 minutes in and I was offered Vodka. No alcohol when riding I told them and immediately they offered a cabin bed for me to stay the night so I could drink up with them. Thinking fast, I told them that my bags and stuff is in the hotel so I really can’t.

Vodka offers carefully rejected and the next guy asked if I like Russian women. I think this is a common theme in Russia when chatting up a new friend from abroad. I can see that this is normal to them. 

Andrey help extract me by bringing me to visit the bike bar in Barnaul city for a photo-shot and after I bade goodbye for if I had returned with him to the bike festival grounds, I would probably end up regretting but have a crazy story to tell.

Me & Andres at Barnaul Motorcycle Pub

Inside the Motorcycle Pub in Barnaul 

Travelled on: Sep 2024

Border Crossing from Shemonaikha (Kazakhstan) to Mikhailovka (Russia) with a Malaysian Passport and Motorcycle

This crossing was long in the planning from way back nearly three months ago in Kyrgyzstan where I had to apply the Russia Transit Visa. The drawback was I could not enter Russia until a specific date as stipulated in the Visa so while I ran out of things to do and explore in Kazakhstan, I had to just chill and relax in Oskemen for a few nights to wait for today.

I decided not to rush things too much going from one place to another place every night. Thus, I was waiting in Oskemen for a good three nights relaxing and started the journey today early morning at 9am for the border. It was a good 140km from Oskemen to the border, but the roads were fair and the view was rolling colours.

I reached the border sometime around 12pm Kazakh time. Immigration was a bit slow while they tinker about their computer system but still stamped me out within 20 minutes. Customs were really through and made me opened up every box, bag, wraps just for the officer to take a look before I had to painstakingly repack everything.

Altai Border between Kazakhstan - Russia 

Tobacco was nearly confiscated as well but after bringing the packs to a senior officer for review, they let me pass. Apparently, it was electronic ciggy or Vape that was not allowed and the young officer was a bit confuse with tobacco packs. Standard questions were asked, any narcotics, any guns, any tasers which I replied No and it was all good to go.

A short ride over to the Russian side of the border and this time the process took a bit longer. Immigration keyed in stuff into their system, registered the bike but did not issue any temporary import permit. So apparently the custom declaration papers that I had from Kazakhstan way back at the Shymkent Border was still valid in Russia as part of the customs union.

Border Crossing at Kazakhstan side 

Border Crossing at the Russia Side

Next was the interview. I had read online that some people got stuck for 4 hours for the interview process just waiting about. Went into the room and a questionnaire paper was given to me to fill up by hand.

Simple questions like name, address, phone number and family particulars which I scratch off the answers quickly. Phone IMEI number was taken and also keyed into the system, a photograph via camera phone on a height backdrop and that was it.

The officer did not really ask too many question but asked me to wait outside for a bit. I figured that was the slow process that may or may not take 4 hours while he sends them over to somewhere waiting for the checks to be cleared. 10 minutes later, I was given back my passport and told all was good and welcome to Russia.

The whole process of crossing the border took maybe one and half hour but I could not be sure for suddenly the time on my phone was off the mark. Later I realized that the time zone was different with this part of Russia having a +7 time zone compared to Kazakhstan which had a +5 time zone.

I was in. DAH !! RUSSIA.

Since the crossing was much more efficient that I expected, I stop at the first semi marked restaurant cum sim card cum vehicle insurance along the road to pick up the basics and then it was a lovely ride to a town called Pospelikha

Stop at the first Cafe cum Restaurant cum Insurance cum Simcard stop after the border

A lovely ride to Pospelikha

Travelled on: Sep 2024