Design

We gotta get out when we're young... we'll run till we drop... we're born to run... we're designed to go to Iran!

Yes, the designs for our booklet is finished! Thank you Marko "the designer" ;)

That means that our preparations are coming to a critical phase. Public opening. The curtain is rising and we're ready to embrace everyone. Like a gigantic cruise ship, taking you to unexplored teritory through iceberged sea. With you sitting comfortably in your cosy cabins, Josip and I take the risks, so you don't have to. And if we go deep down the iceberg, you'll follow. There is no escape, you're with us till' Davy Jones' Locker :D

Seriously, yesterday we've made our way to major three croatian motorcycle forums and we're beginning to contact all potential financial sponsors. Without them the whole trip will be in question. But we have no fear and we're optimistic, something will come up.

Also great croatian motorcycle magazine Motorevija has made an announcement of the trip.

So far we've raised zero money and that's our primary concern. Keep fingers crossed, for further updates on that plan.

And one last thing...

we've removed our catalytic converters. No mercy for them at all! As fuel in Iran is mostly leaded (as some say), to protect the bikes from engine it had to be done. Master Kucelj - the exhaust expert, has done all the dirty deeds. Our experience in that area is such that we would damage exhausts beyond repair :D

Josip's cat was welded out and removed using a drill and I had to remove the complete exhaust. Good V-Strom buddy helped me and lended his old Kucelj exhaust. Thanks JZ!

This big boy shure is loud! Check it out:

I hope the next update will be "we've raised helluva lot of money, we're going on a cruise to Bora Bora, Iran can wait".

Ciao.

Vis-à-vis

Dear followers,

VISAS are approved!!! Our Iranian contact, ms. Parto sent us a mail last week, in which was contained a magic number, a reference number! It's amazing how can a 6-digit number make a grown man in underwear jump for joy and banging his head on a chandalier (maybe only a 6-digit number on the bank account). Well, that's what happened to me, when I saw that 6-digit piece of beauty.

It was pretty intense my friends, I tell you.

As of formalities, we only gotta get our itinerary to Iran police, so they can keep their eye on us (but in a good way.. I think?). We've been told they take care of their tourists that travel with their own vehicles, so they don't get to harm or get lost somewhere in the desert. I won't be a conspiracy theorist about this one, until proven otherwise.

Another great thing, that contact mr. Reza gave us was for an extraordinary pair of travelers and owners of Perzepolis tourist agency, Ivona and Mohammad. Zagreb based agency, specialised in exotic tours, had an presentation of Iran last week. Some things we learned, some we knew and after it, Ivona and Mohammad offered their help in finding some sweet spots in Iran we shouldn't miss.

Oh, and they said that our plan of 5000 km is overly optimistic and we can't make it. Hehehe. They're just not aware what bikes can do. I know of guys who did more than 1000 kms a day in Iran (ok, that's just insane!), so in 15-20 days it's more than possible. Even if we stop often to check the cities and for some photos. We'll see if I was wrong :)

Anyway, we're going to them this week for those tips and details. After that, the route will be locked and complete!

If you just knew what drama and suspense went on on Gmail chat last sunday! It was Hitchcock wrapped in a Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster meaningless spectacle. Josip was bidding for BMW sidecases (cost around 800€), like he does every Sunday (lost every bid so far, mostly in the last minute, haha). But this time, this time he did it with more fierceness than a rabid lynx. He bidded, bidded and raised more then ever! Both of us spent the last 15 minutes on the edge of our seats, while second after second expired on eBay timer... the price rose, fingernails shortened, the timer closed to 1 minute. Tik-tok, on the clock, but the party didn't stop. Now it's more than 450€, but 15 seconds left.... 14... 10...5...3...2..1... Tik-tok, on the clock, the party started! 1 extra Euro prevailed! The elusive BMW sidecases were finaly in Josips' possesion! "My precious!!!" Josip exclaimed. Jump for joy was now a standard, as we practiced few days before, when we got the visas.

New, sporty (of course) sidecases, just for Josip and his pet BMW. When they arrive, you'll have live preview of mounting them. Cases I mean.

For next week, we're planning on some meetings (equipement, route, sponsors, wild boars, etc..) so patient bears, remain patient. Good things are to come! Mostly to Josip and me :)