I made it to Moscow later than I wanted, due to heavy traffic of the M7. I was making good time right up to the last 150 km, then it was solid. Being a Sunday everyone was on their way back from their country Dachas. The 2 lane M7 was made into 3 or sometimes 4 lanes by impatient divers. (Just use the dirt at the side of the road!).

I filtered through the traffic for over 100 miles, which was quite tiring. The drivers were pretty good though, often moving over to let me through, and always aware of my presence.

I was given a contact Helgi in Moscow who was expecting me. He’s a great guy who put me up and took me on two guided night rides around Moscow. There is so much to see here! Moscow is a huge city, and all of it is beautiful. The Bolshoi Theatre, St. Basil’s cathedral, Spasskaya clocktower, the Kremlin, Red Square, GYM, the 7 Sister buildings, the Napoleonic war monument, Moscow city, Moscow state university. I could go on!

I’m from the city of Birmingham and riding around a city at night is a special experience. I’ve really missed it! Moscow is exceptionally good though, being on such an impressive scale. As I followed Helgi on his Goldwing it was breathtaking, my bike riding well with no luggage and an empty tank was a bonus! As we stopped at each set of lights Helgi explained where we were and the significance of the buildings we’d seen.

Many people I know would pay good money for that kind of guided tour, it struck me again how lucky I was to find such great people.

Photos will never do this kind of thing justice, you have to be there. But I have been there – and this is an experience I’ll not forget.