Another portion of questions arrived from a Brit solo rond-the-world motocyclist regarding the old part of the Kolyma Highway that runs from Kyubyume through Tomtor to the Magadan Oblast. Found out that the new way Kyubyume – Ust-Nera – the Magadan Oblast is less interesting to drive than the old one. The reason is as simple as the new roadway is itself. Right, if to go through Ust-Nera, travelers won’t experience any hardship and thus any adventure. This track is easy to drive at any time. But the old part is full of challenges.
Do you think that the old road is passable for solo motorcycle in mid August? Would the rivers be low enough to push the bike through and the onward track dry enough to ride?
Yes. Locals confirmed once again that in August the old road from Tomtor to Magadan Oblast is passable, but mostly for trucks, off-road vehicles and bicycles. Regarding motocycle, they said the chance to ride successfully is 70%. Some said 50%. Everything depends on your phisical condition and persistence.
There are narrow tracks mainly on that part. They are dry enough. Small puddles might appear on the way. Major obstacles appear to be the absence of bridges on Yakutia’s part and collapsed bridges on Magadan’s side. A motocyclist can go by some damaged bridges (lift the bike by rope, hold strongly and push through), but most of them are passable only by bicycles. So a traveler needs to cross rivers often in places of shallows.
August is flooding free, but an adventurer must be alert at any time. Small rivers may have rapid currents, even if water is low. In this case, he/she needs to rely on others’ help or technical stuff, i.e. tow-ropes or something like that.
Is fuel readily available on both routes – new and old?
Yes. However, on the old roadway the last point where you can find fuel is Tomtor. Recently a public gas station was opened in the area.
Also, do you have any contacts in the Magadan Oblast? I am struggling to find onward transport from Magadan to (preferably) Alaska of Canada but alternatively, it could be to Vladivostok, Japan and then the USA.
DVS Tour
Tel. +7 ( 4132) 62-32-96.
Fax +7 (4132) 621195.
Cell +7-914-862-89-20 (director’s)
Email travel@dvs-tour.ru
URL http://dvs-tour.ru/
I understand that air freight is just currently impossible from Magadan, but what about shipping? I must assume there is some direct shipping between Magada and the US west coast? Even if passage on the ships is ‘unofficial’ !
The only other option I could think of was shipping over to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and then air to Alaska?
I talked to a DVS Tour travel manager. She said that there is no more direct flight from Magadan to Anchorage. The only way you can reach Alaska is by sea. However, the route is a little bit complicated. First, you need to be transported by ship to Vladivostok, then to the U.S. DVS Tours has experience of arranging transportation on this route.
A 3-day shipping by boat for a bike with a biker from Magadan to Vlad costs €600.
How far would it be from Tomtor to the next fuel do you think?
Talked to a Tomtor contact. His name is Semen Baishev, he is a travel enthusiast in the area. He said the distance might be about 300 km and is the most difficult part. He also says that the mid of August is right time for riding on the old roadway. That’s the time when rivers has low waters. Close to your travelling, we can check up with a Tomtor guy.
Also, do DVS speak English?
Certainly, DVS TOUR travel managers speak English. They’ve got rich experience in dealing with foreigners.
The Kolyma Highway / the Road of Bones travel map
Similar Posts:
- UPDATED: Travelling through Yakutsk, the Road of Bones, Magadan, Chukotka & Alaska
- 2009 August Road Report: the condition of the Kolyma Highway (the Road of Bones) in Oymyakonsky Ulus
- The northernmost transportation in Yakutia?
- What is the condition of the Road of Bones in June? Watch the video of June 2011.
- Yakutsk – Ust-Nera – Magadan. By a taxi.
