Photo: Screenshot
Crimean and US bikers Anton Yurkov and Charlie Whitesalt went on a trip across Russia all the way to Magadan city. The bikers first met outside of Krasnoyarsk, and they are now on their way together.
Anton is traveling around the country on a 1989 Izh Jupiter-5, a motorcycle that his parents used to ride. The Russian traveler says he was impelled to hit the road by a bet with a friend who refused to believe that Anton would be able to reach Lake Baikal on his Japanese bike and discouraged him from such an endeavor in many ways. Finally, as the saying goes, his eagerness went into overdrive. Anton increased the bet and declared that he would also reach Magadan and do it on the old Izh. That was their bet.
In for a penny, in for a pound! The trip started from Sudak in Crimea on June 11. Anton took a bottle of water from the Black Sea with him on his journey as he plans to pour it into the Sea of Okhotsk. His way to Magadan and back would cover 13670 miles, which is half of the Earth's circumference!
Although the trip on a bike is more tiresome than driving a car and it requires some experience, the enjoyment of the ride is very special.
Long-distance motorcycle traveling is fairly popular around the world, and Russia is no exception. There are motorcycle clubs, hotels, and cafes in many cities, which bikers keep for members only. There are many forums where bikers exchange information about the road quality, and good hotels, as well as seek help, and post photos. There are even motobloggers who report on their journeys on social media and share all sorts of tips and tricks.
The most important thing is mutual support. Commitment to help each other on the roads is one of the distinctive features of any biker, whatever his nationality or the political situation in the world may be. That's how Anton Yurkov met Charlie Whitesalt who was on a round-the-world trip on his Harley-Davidson. The American's starter broke down just outside Krasnoyarsk, and Anton helped him fix it. Charlie was so inspired by the Russian greatheartedness that he decided to join the Russian biker on the trip to Magadan.
“People can be friends whatever countries they are from. I'm truly blessed to have come here. I received a very warm welcome. I met a lot of marvelous people, Anton is one of them. This trip is nothing about politics, instead, it's about achieving goals and working together as a team, as friends," Charlie said.
The American made a promise to tell everyone he knows about the kindness of the Russian people and that they would come to the rescue in hard circumstances. He has a blog about his journey where he shares photos and reports on his adventures. Other American bikers have already named Anton Yurkov their "motor-brother" as he did not leave their fellow countryman in need, and they marvel at the beauties of Russia.
“I feel this is what real friendship is all about. Human relations cannot be affected by the fact that we speak different languages and live in different countries," said the Crimean.
At the moment, the bikers are in Yakutsk. They have to travel about 1,250 miles more to reach Magadan. Having completed the journey, the Crimean will return to Sudak, while the American intends to go to Mexico. Despite the political disagreements between the countries, both bikers want to preserve their friendship and good relations in the future.
