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Mongolia Frozen Ride
Mongolia
Frozen Ride
A CIRCUIT
Set yourself a new challenge! Join Vintage Rides for an extreme motorsport adventure: cross the frozen lake of Khovsgol on Royal Enfield sidecars in extreme conditions with temperatures plunging as low as -40 degrees.
Going beyond one’s limits, solidarity, unforeseen meteorological conditions, these are the elements that will make your adventure unforgettable.
WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS
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MAP
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A safe adventureVintage Rides team offers its expertise for this new trip, a journey which has already been carried
out by a team of adventure-seekers.
Team spiritIn such conditions, a team of professional guides is necessary to reach the end. You will be
accompanied by Baptiste (Tour Leader), Ghana (Mechanic) and Jean (Alternative-sidecar.com) who
were all part of the original journey.
Push your limitsUncertainties, difficulties, extreme weather: it’s in these conditions and with all the equipment you
may need that you will set off for the biggest adventure of your life.
They spoke about it
Les valeurs de la Frozen Ride
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VALUES OF THE FROZEN RIDE
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THE SIDECARS
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Jean Burdet and Alternative Side-car Jean Burdet, sidecar creator for more than 30 years, first crossed Europe with his
children. Little by little, he starts enjoying adventure and crosses the borders as far as
Asia. He meets Vintage Rides teams in India and together they launch a major project: A
sidecar on the roof of the world, a crazy travel the Himalayas in 2014. Since then, he’s
involved in another extraordinary project: the crossing of the frozen Khövsgöl lake in
Mongolia.
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THE SIDECARS
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The MachinesOn this trip, 4 Royal Enfield 2010 of our own fleet will be equipped with Yeti sidecars, specially designed for off-road with Royal Enfields.
Royal Enfield bikes: All our motorbikes are fitted with the gearshift on the left hand
side, with first gear at the bottom. Monocylindre. Comfortable saddle with backrest. The
motorcycles are equipped with a "house" tank of 19 liters (convenient for long stages).
Our bikes are refurbished every season. For this special tour, we’ll have an extra
motorcycle to make sure we can handle all the surprises the Khövsgöl lake has for us.
De plus, pour ce tour, nous prévoyons une moto supplémentaire pour pallier à toutes
les surprises que le lac Khövsgöl nous réserve.
Sidecars CS CONCEPT Yeti: The Yeti and its steel case is the "Swiss Army knife" of
sidecars. It is a hand-stitched sidecar for adventure, tested in the Himalayas in 2014, and
during the first 2017 Frozen Ride adventure.
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AT A GLANCE
6-8h riding a day Unexpected eventson the road
Remote regions
Period
March
Duration
9 days including 6 days riding
LevelDemanding
English-speakingtour leader
AccommodationStandard or with hosts
4850 €From
©Stephane Gautronneau
STAGE 2
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Talk about excitement! You set foot in Mongolia and know that you’re about to embark on one of the most beautiful adventures of your life. And it starts with a long day of transfer to the remote region of Khövsgöl. This lake is located at an altitude of 1600 metres and flows into its big brother, Lake Baïkal in Russia. Early morning departure from Ulan Bator airport and transfer to Moron in a private vehicle. We drive through the steppe enveloped in a white coat of snow. First Mongolian lunch and arrival at night. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After a restorative night, we take perhaps one of the last few showers of the trip. You meet with your tour leader and your sidecars, still warm from the work done on them by Gana, our outstanding mechanic. It’s time to leave for Hatgal on a good tarmac road, allowing you to get used to the highly nimble steering of Royal Enfield sidecars. It’s biting cold. We test the equipment. There’s no going back now. Upon reaching Hatgal, everybody pitches in to fix studded tyres on the sidecars. First round of the lake. Irreal sensations. We discover the Mongolian national fleet which remain docked for the winter before enjoying the sunset on the ice mirror. Time seems to have stopped here.Overnight in a home-stay. “Tomorrow, we leave for an intense adventure on the frozen lake of Khövsgöl.”
YOUR TRIP IN 9 STAGES
STAGE 1
Ulan Bator airport - Moron [700 km* - 10H riding]:
Moron - Hatgal [90 km* - 3H riding]:
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YOUR TRIP IN 9 STAGES
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STAGE 4
“Riding a motorcycle at -40 degrees, the skin on our bodies can freeze in less than a minute.”
More comfortable on the motorcycles, we set off in the direction of Hanh, the highest village in the region, close to the Siberian border. If we are lucky, we can ride on a smooth ice cover and have fun with memorable gliding games. But we have to continue to be vigilant. As locals say, Khövsgöl is alive, it’s moving. Sometimes, the ice breaks and blocks of ice collide with each other making disturbing noises. Sometimes we have to cross barely closed up cracks covered with impressive ice monoliths. Our team there will keep a close eye in order to ensure that it is possible to continue.
At Hankh we meet a nice family who welcome us in yurts reserved only for us: what a luxury!
“The adventurers have to be courageous and rigourous to come out unscathed from this expedition."
Breakfast and off we go! We glide on an ice cover which is sometimes smooth and sometimes rough towards the western part of the Lake. Whether riding on the bike or in the sidecar tank, the sensations are extraordinary. Every 45 minutes, we stop to check our hands and feet and warm ourselves with a good coffee. We look after each other; in extreme conditions, team spirit is essential to reach the goal all together safe and sound.
We spend the night at the home of Ghamba, a breeder who spends six months on the banks of the frozen lake before going back to the mountains. We meet his family and spend a night in the Mongolian way. In the night, water freezes inside. A -20°C sleeping bag is vital!
STAGE 3
Hatgal - Jigleg [100 km* - 4/6H riding]:
Jigleg - Hanh [100 km* – 4/6H riding]:
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STAGE 6
“A journey has no meaning unless we get lost on the way and have unexpected encounters.”
On the last day of motorcycle, our seasoned group takes on the lake for one last time. Like always, new surprises are awaiting us. Are we going to ride on the frozen snow-covered surface, a smooth, translucid and almost disturbing ice cover, a turbulent ice resembling waves frozen for winter? Accustomed to the cold, we will take what will come by remaining vigilant about eventual cracks. Confident, we push the Royal Enfields into the turns like a goodbye to this eternal lake. Back on the motorbike, we are amused to rediscover what normal steering of a sidecar is for our friends back home. How can we recount what we have experienced? What we have felt? It is perhaps impossible... Overnight stay in a hotel (a very standard one) and with a well-deserved shower.
Just when we think we’ve become experts at steering our Royal Enfield sidecars, which are so pleasant to ride on ice, a new challenge awaits us: the track. Brittle and with several banks, we exercise extra caution for new strong sensations. We enter coniferous forests covered with snow hoping that the powder snow is not too deep and that we do not accidentally venture onto the river whose top layer would not be frozen enough. You’re thinking that it all seems real, right? Come see for yourself!
Arrival at the camp. Like every evening, mutton, pasta, starch foods and hot soup to revive us.
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STAGE 5
Hanh - Modon Huis [100 km* – 4/6H riding]:
Modon Huis - Hatgal [100 km* – 4/6H riding]:
YOUR TRIP IN 9 STAGES
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STAGE 8
Today we set off for Ulan-Bator in a Uaz (a Russian van). One last glance at the steppe, full of memories. Whatever the weather, the quality of the ice, the mechanical troubles that we might have had, there is no doubt that at this moment you know that this journey will remain unforgettable. A unique adventure that only few adventurer-seekers would dare to try. Overnight stay in a real hotel and it feels good! Those who wish may share a good meal in Ulan Bator. We may be due east, but this city has always had a something of the Far-West about it. Last few whiffs of this beautiful country before the return flight the next day.
An extra day to account for uncertainties during our journey. If everything goes as per schedule, we’ll use the last day to make one more round of the frozen lake among the ships before hitting the road towards Moron and a hot shower.
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STAGE 7
Hatgal - Moron [90 km* - 3H riding]:
Moron - Uan Bator [700 km*]:
YOUR TRIP IN 9 STAGES
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Transfer to the airport. We return back home with a head full of memories.
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STAGE 9
Ulan Bator airport:
*Riding distances are indicative.
YOUR TRIP IN 9 STAGES
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And enjoy
5% off your second trip
10% off your third trip and more
Always in the limit of 300 €
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YOUR FORMULA
Join a fixed departure
Want to leave in a closed group? Ask us for a quote for a private tour.
To know the dates of our upcoming fixed departures. go to www.vintagerides.com - tab "Our Trips", or contact one of our travel advisors at: [email protected].
*These rates are indicative, please refer to our General Terms & Conditions.
4850 € / pilot*
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● A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all
spare parts, attached to an Alternative Side-Car chassis with a URAL seat
● Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle
● An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 2 to day 8)
● Fuel expenses
● An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles, a local guide and two drivers
● Two support vehicles
● Lodging in standard hotels, yurts or in local’s places. We often sleep in common
rooms, like the locals.
● Meals: Full board meals during riding days (except during days of transfer: day 1, day
2)
● Third party motorcycle insurance
● Compulsory insurances, including repatriation assistance which covers you in case of
a motorbike accident in India and legal assistance
● International flights and airport taxes
● Visa fees
● A refundable security deposit of 600 € for every motorcycle
● Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1, day 9)
● Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc.
● Souvenirs and personal expenses
● Drinks
● Tips
PRICE INCLUDES
PRICE DOESN’T INCLUDE
MORE INFO
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CLOTHES AND PERSONAL
EQUIPMENT:
❏ A very warm sleeping bag (-20°C comfort, with down fill and baffle structure for high altitude, for example). Essential for the home-stay.
❏ Sleeping bag liner (recommended)❏ For more comfort, carry a camping mat
which can be used in addition to the local mattress (optional)
❏ Extreme cold weather pants❏ Two technical clothes for the upper body❏ Two technical leggings❏ One light fleece and one extreme cold
weather fleece❏ Extreme cold weather neck warmer❏ Several hand / foot warmers ❏ A pocket torch or a headlamp❏ A penknife or an Opinel ❏ Sweets, cereal bars and small cookies to
supplement the regular meals
❏ Motorcycle boots or special high boots for extreme cold weather
❏ Warm motorcycle jacket (leather or textile)
❏ Two pairs of warm winter gloves and two pairs of under gloves
❏ Ski mask, sun glasses❏ Helmet mandatory❏ Extreme Cold weather Neoprene mask ❏ Bungee cords if you wish to fasten your
bag on the motorcycle
SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE
EQUIPMENT:
MY CHECKLIST
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Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey!Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS)
❏ A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to. Don’t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India.
❏ A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion, etc.
BAGS:
PERSONAL MEDICINE:
❏ Sunscreen lotion❏ Lip balm❏ Broad-spectrum antibiotic❏ Paracetamol❏ Anti-diarrhoea❏ Elastoplast❏ Skin disinfectant❏ Bandages and special blisters bandage
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www.vintagerides.com
Copyright photos: Thomas Goisque
CONTACT US
VINTAGE RIDES INDIA
C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi - 110020
Tel: +339 70 44 01 30
VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE
98 Rue Baudin - 92300 Levallois-Perret
By appointment only
Tel: +337 68 13 89 07
