ADVENTURE

When the urge to hit the road became unignorable Katy Haynes, 29, decided she wanted to share the experience with someone… But who?

No one to go adventuring with? Just hit the internet…

Where are you right now? I’m back home in my house in Flitwick, with my cat Nutmeg, and my trusty bike parked up outside.

You recently returned from an epic ride…

We left England on 4 June, 2018, rode through Europe, up Norway, hopped over to the Lofoten Islands, passed the Arctic Circle then headed South through Finland, in to Russia. We then headed East to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Siberia and once in Vladivostok jumped on a boat with our bikes to Japan. We returned on 10 November, 2018 after 18,000 miles.

What bike did you use?

I took an old 2003 BMW F650GS. I’ve owned it for over six years. I bought it with 30,000 on the clock and it now has over 90,000. And it is still going strong.

The fan broke in Moscow as we were filtering through traffic. It also broke down near Vladivostok when the water pump gave up. Both times we met fantastic Russians who insisted they fixed my bike for free. F650GSS are fairly heavy which can make off-road routes tricky – it’s been on the floor a few times. Other than that it’s a cracking bike.

What was your motorcycling experience and trip inspiration? My dad had bikes when I was growing up. I used to love going on the back so passed my test when I was 18. An ex-boyfriend then introduced me to off-roading and I bought my BMW in 2012. I took it around Europe, and to

Morocco, but I always had the urge to travel further afield. My friend passed away in a motorcycle accident in 2016 at the age of 26 and it shook me up. It made me realise how short life can be. His dad helped me prep my bike and I began planning a big trip. But I wanted to share the experience with someone.

Tell us more… I created an account on Horizons Unlimited, a brilliant website which connects motorcycle travellers. I had a browse on the forum and a post caught my eye, written by John, aged 29, living in Exeter. It was titled: ‘UK to Far East Russia and Beyond 2018’. I messaged John, and we agreed to meet. As soon as we met we spoke non-stop for two hours. I rode home with the biggest grin on my face because I knew this dream trip was going to happen. The months leading up to the trip really tested our relationship so we decided to pack our bikes so that if we were to go our separate ways we could both cope on our own. But there wasn’t one moment where we wanted to part company.

What was the best moment of your journey? Reaching our finish line in Tokyo. It was late at night, the city lights looked beautiful.

And the worst?

In Kyrgyzstan a man invited me up on to his horse for a ride. I accepted the offer but he soon led us out of sight of John. I was kissed and touched inappropriately for an hour and a half until the man returned me. I had never been so frightened.

What does the future hold? John and I have gone back to our lives. We have discussed riding through America or possibly east towards India. For now we are planning smaller trips to Ireland and Scotland.

Follow Katy’s adventures: facebook.com/ transeurasia 2018

‘There wasn’t a moment where we wanted to part company’