Arkhangelsk-Moscow, 1250 km – almost made it

Tried to make a trip from Arkhangelsk to Moscow, 1250 kilometers on M8 route, through 4 oblasts (regions): Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Yaroslavl and Moscow itself.

Plan was to made it in five days:

1) 280 km from Arkhangelsk to Dvinskoy Bereznik

2) From there 260 km to Velsk

3) Another 260 km to town of Vologda

4) 200 km of hills through Vologda and Yaroslavl regions to town of Yaroslavl itself

5) Final 250 km to Moscow

As you can see, my plan was pretty ambitious, especially for my first trip of such long distance.

Sadly, I had to quit in Yaroslavl because of heatstroke due to anomalous heat for this season in this part of a country, up to +32°C which was hell for my northern physiology.

Also my mistake was bringing tent and sleeping bag, because at the very first day, after 280 km, I was too tired to make a camp and went to hotel. Same for other days.

Anyway, this experience will be used in my future trips.

Also some words about my bike – it is heavily modified soviet KhVZ Start-Shosse: I replaced bottom bracket, chainring, freewheel, brakes, hubs and wheels with tires themself – all from soviet to modern components.

It was a challenge itself, because of different measurments and standarts on soviet and modern bikes.

Well, that's all I guess, happy trails everyone!