Into Moscow early morning for breakfast followed by a photo shoot with the bikes at Red Square. (Until the police asked us to leave). Motorway initially then we turn off on the more minor roads to complete our journey to Lipestk. What a contrast to Moscow, we travel through rural arable farm land which reminded me of the Fens back home. Great roads but occasionally interupted by large potholes. The hotel Mercury in Lipestk was our base for the night. Modern an...

A day off from riding for sightseeing in Moscow. We get taxis down to the shopping mall for breakfast but this turned out to be a non starter as it was stone cold when we got it, so refused to pay and walked out. Taxi then to red square in Moscow but Steve Rob and I got dropped off in the wrong place and we never did find the rest of our party. Steve and I also then lost Rob. There were lots of world cup fans about sightseeing around the Kremlin area. A fantas...

We leave St Petersburg in bright sunshine, although it is pretty cool. Doing battle with the moring rush hour traffic is a challenge but soon we are on the M10 heading towards Moscow. This not a motorway but mainly a three lane highway with passing places. The road is stuffed with lorries and we make good progress on our 550 mile journey to Moscow. The landscape is pretty flat and we encounter many villages and towns on the way. We call in at a lovely transport...

A leisurely start to our day off from riding. Steve and I walk into the town centre of St Petersburg and catch the city tour bus. Commentary is in England and is a useful way to discover the delights of this wonderful city and some of its history. St Issacs cathedral and the admiralty buildings stick in my mind. A gentle walk back to the hotel and a quick nap before catching an evening meal. Clothes washing all caught up with so I am smelling sweet again. We he...

A steady ride today through more Finish forests to the Russian border. It took us about an hour to get through. The border crossing was very official but efficient and friendly. As we enter Russia the noticable difference was in the state of the roads, from superb roads in Scandinavia to patched and potholed roads in Russia. In fairness however the roads were good as we got nearer to St Petersburg. We get to our hotel (Hotel Amaranta) at about 330pm. Plain lookin...