Around the globe on Urals

   Sergey Sinelnik is a 29 year old, married young man, with a passion for world travel and “Ural” motorcycles. He was born in Kazakhstan, now an independent state, formerly a USSR Republic. When not traveling the world via “Ural”, he lives in Moscow where he is a professional artist, yachtsman and builder of sailing vessel replicas. He has a twin brother, Alexander, who has accompanied him on many of his adventures. Since early childhood, Sergey found himself fascinated by adventure novels and motorcycles. While attending art school, Sergey continued to dream about far away exotic and unknown lands. At age 25, he completed his Yacht Quarter-Master training and then in the fall of 2001 together with his brother, embarked on a yacht-voyage around Europe. During this voyage is when the idea of round the globe travel on a “Ural” was conceived and plans formed.

   The Russian “Ural” motorcycle was chosen for the trip/journey. Obviously such choice was not dictated solely by patriotic feelings. This motorcycle is very versatile in handling a variety of on and off road and weather conditions, as well as having the unique characteristic of easy servicing and repair in “field” conditions. The expedition began in the summer of 2002. The first phase, traveling across Eurasia, took place in July-August 2002. Sergey and his brother Alexander, rode tandem on a “Ural–Wolf” from Moscow to Vladivostok, a total of 5,593 miles. In October–November they continued on the “Ural-Wolf” from Moscow to Gibraltar. The second phase, through Africa, took place in March – April 2003. This time the travelers took off with two additional adventurers. Sergey and his brother Alexander on the “Ural-Wolf” and a mechanic and cameraman on a “Ural-Sportsman” (it is sold as “Ural-Patrol” in the US). “Ural-Patrol” is the only mass-produced motorcycle in the world with an engageable sidecar wheel drive, which gives it incredible maneuverability in very adverse terrain. The expedition traveled across the territories of Russia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Namibia. An incredible total of 8,918 miles were ridden through some of the most desolate areas of the world. The most difficult was crossing the Sahara desert, where almost 435 miles of sand without roads were ridden the temperature above 122 degrees F. The third phase of this round the globe expedition started October 15, 2003, which will cover the territories of the North and South America, from Alaska to Chile. Sergey took off alone this time and again on a “Ural-Wolf” provided by Irbit MotorWorks of America in Redmond, WA. They are the direct affiliate and official importer of the Russian “Ural” motorcycles in the U.S. Upon completion of the North American phase, Sergey is planning to cross Australia, and then on to Indonesia, Thailand, Laos and China, completing his journey back in Vladivostok. With 22,000 miles already behind him, and 31,000 miles still ahead, we wish Sergey good weather and safe riding. Good luck, Sergey!