Team Team Eskimo Bruders

Next Stop: Omsk, Mutha Russia

Ok, sorry for the delay. Even though the website has states we have not traveled any miles, its because weve been counting in Kilometers. And to day, were at about 9500km. When I left you the band (Sandmen) were all together headed east through Turkey. After Istanbul, which was really great, hard on our wallets, but something that had to be done, we set out. It took us a while to get going because of the gift exchange between the four of us and of course packing up with a small crowd around in the middle of the street. I dont remember if I told y'all but we exchanged gifts in order to make this 10000 mile road trip on scooters, just a bit more difficult. The idea was to gift something that was large, awkward, and difficult to keep on a motorbike, BUT we all decided it had to be lightweight, you know, for the bikes sake. And as democracy reigns supreme umoung the Sandmen, the votes were tallied and we must keep our gifts for the duration of the trip. I was very pleased with my gift. Since I have the worlds most disgusting mullet, and a dirty pink suit and have an awesomely American accent, the Brits thought it appropriate to get me a sweet guitar with a scull and crossbones on it. I love it. Its right handed and none of us know how to tune it. So that everytime someone asks me to play them a tune I have to break out the excuses and eventualy let whomever down. Thats a good gift. Alex recieved a very large Turkish flag with Ataturks face on it. Hes been wearing it as a cape everyday. Pretty awesome to see him put his fist foward on the motorbike and strike a superman pose while wearing a cape. Good gift. Alex and I went a different route with our gifts to the Brits. One, a large stuffed fawn, about 2 feet high while some sort of frame so that it doesnt bend at all. We thought it could double as a seat until the legs broke.  And poor, poor Jonah. We got Jonah something a bit more spectacular. It wasnt even for sale when we found it, but with our excellent bardering skills and our relentless good looks we got it. It was a 4 foot tall, armless manican, dressed as a woman child Turkish dancer. And let me tell ya, to see a grown man in a tuxedo, driving a moped covered in gear, with a cut-in-half manican (he had to, it wasnt gonna fit on the bike otherwise) drive down the road will keep you laughing inside your helmet...histerically. Thats a good gift, but for some reason I dont think he appreciated it too much...weird. Anywho we drove and camped a couple more wet nights in Turkish fields and jungles and got Trabzon. This is where Alex and I were to take the ferry to Sochi Russia. So we said goodbye to the Pizza Co for the time being with plans to meet back up in Rubtovsk Russia a couple weeks down the road. It took us a while but we found the ferry and soon found out that the next ferry was to leave in 6 days. No bueno. We camped one night in Trabzon at a place Alex and I have come to call it the Garden of Eden. It was high up in the mountains with a view of the sea. Wild blackberries, Apricots, hazelnuts and plenty of firewood kept us very satisified for the evening. That was one experience that I hope for everyone to experience sometime in your lives. One of the most spectatular sites Ive ever witnessed. And to hear the call to prayer while the sun goes down over the sea is more than special. Anywho the next day we decided to keep riding east along the coast and make it to Georgia, which took no time at all. It was a beautiful border crossing as well. Right on the beach with the mountains cutting off the road. we went through a long tunnel and stuck inbetween mountain was the border. Which turned out to be quite easy to get through. We made friends almost immediately with a border guard that was curious about what we were doing and he moved us up in line and told everyone what we were doing. I even got a smile from the lady immigration guard...thats a first.  On the other side of the border we stop to take a few pictures and an old gypsy woman came up begging (which happens WAY TOO MUCH) but this one was quite cute. But I dont give themmoney, because well, I worked for mine, and they should do the same, but I did have a metal water bottle I had been trying to get rid of for some time, and after much convincing she took it. Mutually bebeficial, at least from my point of view. Geogia was for me, not enjoyable. we took the road up the coast and then the main road all the way across Georgia. Traffic and road conditions were the worst Ive seen on this trip. Construction every where, and combined with the overwhelming heat, made me miserable. But as always the eskimo Bruders pushed on, with the help of an old lady that came out and gave us a bottle of water at a time when it was obvious that we needed it. We struggle to find a campsite that night and settle for a damp cow field in the middle of a small town. There were some kids drinking near us and before we knew it they were offering some mysterious clear liquid out of an old pop bottle. We hear its rude to refuse a gift, so we joined them for a drink. It was one of single worst decisions of my life. This beverage was some sort of high grade petrol, mixed with terpintine and drain cleaner. Alex and I both gagged, felt weird and then were immediately hungover. I had to lay down and Alex and to go to the bathroom. This is not the last time this will happen, mind you. Lets just say Alex and I are slow learners. More on that later.We spent that rain-filled night reminding ourselves we chose to do this as a vacation and that it was fun. The next day was more terrible driving in sweltering heat and more bad traffic. As we made it into the mountain in the north it was getting dark and was about to rain. we found a campsite right off the side of the highways halfway up a mountain and watched the storm come up to the mountain and then be halted by it. We saw lightening and heard thunder, but never got a drop, much to my surprise.  the next day was a good ride. all through the mountains, easily the highest altitude wave climbed. We saw snow and some beautiful scenes as we rose and rose and rose and kept rising. we climbed for what seemed to be days. We would crest one mountain just to find another behind it. Got some great pictures, and really pushed the bikes hard. By the way, the one major problem Ive been having with the bike is that my gear and fat butt stretch out a bike chain in minutes. And numersous mountain ranges and super long distances dont make it any better. I have ruined on chain, and since my bike doesnt exist in these countries, we now put together two russian chains to make one suitable. It said to last 3000 kms. Ive got 2000km on it now with 4500 to go. Concerned, definitely. You would think, "hey mike, youre in a big city now, go and fix it!" But remember this is a russian city in Siberia. They have nothing in them...nothing. trust me, weve looked. Anyway We will cross that broken chain bridge when we get to it. The border to Russia was in the mountains and beautiful. It went quite well except for one guard that started screaming at us initially for reasons we know not. We made friends with a chubby, smoking guard in blue camouflage, which helped us get through. Afterwards we had to find insurance which was fun (ps this was something we forgot in georgia...WHOOPS!) First there was a man selling it from his car, but luckily we had no cash and hos to go into Vladivladkaz to get cash, and by doing so we found an entire strip mall lined with insuance salesman and women. Needless to say we had a large crowd around us the entire time helping with translation and rate quotes and all things insurance. We settled for two nice ladies that thought we were cute and spent about 1200 rubles for a months insurance (about $50), and we are covered to the hilt. they gave us a stack of paperwork and we were on our way. We had decided to go to Georgia without withdrwing any georgian money, so we didnt eat well for the two days prior, so when we found a supermarket in town, we went for it sodas, breads, salads, candy bars, fruit, nuts and bubbly water. It was great. We drew quite a bit of attention outside the grocer, gorging ourselves and looking like bums next to a couple beat-up motorbikes. But we made some friends and had a 12000 calorie meal....Next blog in a couple minutes, I gotta get breakfast, and Ill be back to talk about Mutha Russia, and the Love/HATE  relationship that is more literal than any Ive witnessed. more to come....

Stop 2: Vienna

After an amazing send off from the adventurists that included parties, music, many motors, and loads of new friends, we,ve set off to Mongolia, and our duo has become a quartet. The Eskimo Bruders have joined Team Pratt Street Pizza Co, that are actually taking Honda Cub 90s to Mongolia (really makes my massive 125ccs feel strong). Weve made our painfully slow way down to Austria in good weather and have been put up by a friend of a friends, sisters pet goldfishs auntie, that is outta town for the week, and they gave us their entire flat for our time here...its amazing. First shower in 7 days....wundabar. Vienna is amazing. We arrived right as the sun went down last night, and moving so slowly, u get to see quite a bit of it, Castles in the far off distance and some of the most beautiful arcitecture in Europe. As far as the bike is concerned, Im waiting for a tire, and Alex is going to try to get the electronic limitor off his bike, but my concern is my rear brake. Its broken now twice and Im not sure exactly what

Stop 1: Klenova

Ok, here we go...seriously this time. We arrived to Klenova on 7.22, thinking there would people hanging out, and celebrating this HUGE thing were all about to embark on...NO. We were the first team to Klenova, but at least weve made it to the start line...as they were building it. Its a beautiful place with a castle thats been turned into an art museum, and we were luckz enough to arrive the night there was a concert playing on the ground. TOXIQUE was the name, and Im not sure how or why they were there, because this band truly rocked...euro style of course, so there was a little bit of the David Bowie vibein the mix, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. The sad thing about it was that

The Bloody Jitters

 

Ok, so we're still months out, and Im already getting it; You know that feeling of excitement/anxiousness when all you've been doing is thinking about one particular thing (definitely not my job) and all you want is to put some rubber to the road?!?! If so, Im there. If not, youre life is WAY too boring. Everyday I get more questions about what I need to get done, how Im gonna do it, and what I forgotten. But on the other hand, everyday I get more answers. I feel everything about my life is pushing towards this goal. I do everything to save money. I even decided to start spending less money on beer and food. Therefore, I brew my own and very rarely go out to eat. By the way, brewing your own beer is FANTASTIC. It averages out to like $0.40/ brew. And its utterly delicious (even if it sucks to others; its like my own child). I've begun prepping the parents for my absence again. They find it truely terrifying to know that their son is going to be outside the beloved US of A. Will Smith said it best, "Parents just don't understand." Furthermore, I've been bike shopping, protective gear shopping, and Im even watching the entire series of "Long Way Down," Ewen McGreagors show about taking NICE bikes around the world with an entire team of folks at his disposal. And my goal for watching this has actually kinda backfired on me. It was inspiring, yes. But it was also a little humbling to see some of the issues they've had. Worst of all being a wreck. We are gonna have crap bikes, too much gear, and I can't speak for my partner, but I haven't even ridden a bike since 2008. So "out of practice" is an understatement.

Oops, the boss is here. Ill have to finish this blogtasm a bit later...Doc FreeBoot.

 PS..screw work.

Alexander Kalke

drink a sip, drankasup, for he's as sooner buy a guiness than he'd stale store stout.

read more... Load Alexander

MICHAEL WATERFORD

Oh, you want to hear a little something about me? Well, you're in for a treat. To start, I think I am extremely ill prepared for something as rediculous as this rally. Im continuously packing a bag that is evermore looking as though Im going trakking to the jungle and not motorcycling 1/3 the way around the planet. Not only this, but this rally has been a blessing and a welcomed curse for me. I have decided to quit my salaried position in an uncoming company that wants me to stay. If I did I would be guarranteed seemingly endless opportunity in the ways of the corperate world, and I foresee that I would make my parents proud and finally pay off all my loans from Uni...and all this is exactly why Im am choosing to go. One, i would eventually have to cut my hair. Two, I really loath shaving everyday, and in all reality I hate this knowing what Im going to do everyday for the foreseeable future. I don't know if you've taken part in it, but working 10 hr days, five days a week, and getting paid the equivient of a 3rd grade teacher thats been convicted of molestaion is not what I thought I would have to do to make my parents proud. So, again, I have decided to go with the shock and awe campaign. When I told them about it, not only where they frightened and scared for my safety, they cried and immediately began to try to talk me out of it. This, in turn, only made me more interested. Obviously, i have issues. But the closer we get to the rally the more prepared and knowledgable about things, and the more excited I get about life. I have something to plan for, other than retirement. And in all reality I got a little while before I can see myself actually growing up...and its sentences like that that continue to terrorize my family members. Whoops.

read more... Load MICHAEL

<p><br />This will be the offical opening blog for Team: WhatsInAName. We are, as humans come, two of the most beautiful and rugged men ever produced by the United States of America. Many things we have seen, many places we have been; and the thirst for adventure has not yet dwindled into settling down, but in contrast, has been renewed by the comforts of America and its people. We are looking forward to the open road and the literal unknown of all roads to Mongolia. And, as we&nbsp;are extremely rugged, tough, knowledgable,&nbsp;we have decided to undertake this challenge with the minimal of financial support (notice that &quot;sucessful&quot; was not in the list of traits), therefore I predict a fair amount of walking in our future because Im sure the overloaded motorbikes we decide on won't be fit for a trip to the rubbish bin. Luckily for us, we aren't going to the bin; we're going halfway around my home planet, Earth. Oh, you've been there? Great, isn't it? Anyway, I look forward to all thing Rally, and this being my first, am overly excited. Ive actually never been farther east than Budapest. My partner on the other hand is a tramper-extrodinaire. Everytime Ive traveled with The DanderBander Ive been thoroughly impressed by his patience, kindness, facial hair, &nbsp;and&nbsp; the efficiency of his travel techniques. In other words, I feel we will play &quot;Vagabond&quot; very well together (hopefully the jealousy of his facial hair will not interfere with our teams morale).</p><p>I will finish our opening blog post with an indepth&nbsp;analysis of the team name. WHATSINANAME. </p><p>What is in a name? Really?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Best of luck to all on the trail. And even better luck to all those that read this rediculous post.</p><p>&nbsp;May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And soon, may we dance with the STARS! </p><p>&nbsp;- Dr. FreeBoot</p>