The Moto Run Episode 9: When In Russia

We have to pass through the Russian portion of our trip (way too) quickly due to the many motorcycle, visa, and border issues we faced along the way, but we make the most of it! We spend time with our new friends, Max and Elena, partake in a traditional Russian banya experience, drink moonshine by a lake, and carry on toward Kazakhstan.

Santa Monica Webfest Selection Edit

This special hybrid episode was made for the Santa Monica Webfest. The Moto Run was a short form content selection and aired at the festival on June 7, 2020.

The Moto Run Episode 1: Arrival

Our expedition begins with last-minute preparations in Los Angeles before flying into Ulaanbaatar. We immediately run into issues buying motorcycles – the first of many.

The Moto Run Episode 2: Go Time!

We spend the better part of 3 days hustling to get license plates at the Mongolian DMV with our fixer, Dougie. We make the poor decision to leave Ulaanbaatar wayyy too late in the day, which makes for a sketchy first ride.

The Moto Run Episode 3: The Clock Is Running

Our first full day of off-road riding is met with heavy rain, getting a bit lost, and the strong realization that we can’t go as fast as we planned.

The Moto Run Episode 4: The Death Cloud

Already several days behind schedule, we encounter more foreboding weather and a muddy, slow-going havoc out on the steppe.

The Moto Run Episode 5: Plan F

We finally catch a break in the weather and decide to change course to try and make up lost time. We reach the city of Murun, where we attempt Plan B (or maybe Plan C or D at this point)… which is try and get into Russia early and sneak our motorcycles on a train.

The Moto Run Episode 6: Tetris & Tires

The plan to cross into Russia early and take a train turns out to be impossible, so we hire a stranger and his truck to drive us all the way over to the town of Ulgii. The rough, two-day journey has its own set of issues.

The Moto Run Episode 7: Border Patrol

The unmistakable feeling that the trip might end early (and on Jake’s birthday) washes over us as we struggle to get through Mongolian customs… where we don’t have the correct paperwork and no one speaks English. Will an unlikely new friend help us get through?

The Moto Run Episode 8: The Altai Republic

After 2 days of border troubles, we finally make it into Russia and are handsomely rewarded with the most incredible ride of our lives through the Altai Republic mountains. Our lowest low is greeted by one of our highest highs.

The Moto Run Episode 9: When In Russia

We have to pass through the Russian portion of our trip (way too) quickly due to the many motorcycle, visa, and border issues we faced along the way, but we make the most of it! We spend time with our new friends, Max and Elena, partake in a traditional Russian banya experience, drink moonshine by a lake, and carry on toward Kazakhstan.

The Moto Run Episode 10: Embrace The Unknown

We reach our final destination and a new friend helps us find forever homes for our motorcycles. Emotions get the best of us as the expedition comes to an end.

We have to pass through the Russian portion of our trip (way too) quickly due to the many motorcycle, visa, and border issues we faced along the way, but we make the most of it! We spend time with our new friends, Max and Elena, partake in a traditional Russian banya experience, drink moonshine by a lake, and carry on toward Kazakhstan.

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