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[Table] IAmA: I drove with friends from England to Mongolia - 10,529 miles - AMA
**Verified?** *(This bot cannot verify AMAs just yet)* **Date:** 2012-05-15 **[Link to submission](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/)** (*Has self-text*) **[Link to my post](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/tabledresser/c4oglrp)** Questions|Answers :--|:-- [Best country you traveled through?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8mvt?context=5)|Whenever we would tell people that we would be driving through Iran, they would always ask "why would you do that? its so dangerous! You will get killed!!!!!!!!" [Any fights between friends?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8mvt?context=5)|As for your second question: the friends I went with and I have all been best friends for many years, and so we didn't have any major problems. Just a few little snaps here and there when tempers were short. But they were quickly forgotten. [We take our tea seriously!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9v4g?context=5)|And it shows :) [Hey, I live in Croatia, Zagreb. If you need something just PM and I'd be glad to help you. Cheers!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o90x2?context=5)|Thanks a lot buddy, I've actually been here two months, working in Chillout Hostel and falling in love with a girl that works here. Tomorrow I am moving on with my travels. I'm heading to Morocco. I will be sad to leave the city, and sad to leave her.... :( [TIL that Iranians are pretty cool. And that Tehranians are some of the best Iranians.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oaf61?context=5)|Makes you appreciate eyes a whole lot more. [Just out of curiosity, were you all male? Do you think it would be as safe for a female?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ok19r?context=5)|Yes we were, but there were several mixed teams and some all-female teams. The majority was male though. [Is this because you are English and not American? :\)](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ojw3z?context=5)|I dont think Americans can even get a visa for Iran.... [Any funny stories?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8wbr?context=5)|On the border between Armenia and Iran we had to help the border control people with our passports, because they had never seen UK passports and didn't know what to do. Joe ended up behind the desk, putting our information into the computer system, guessing at what information goes where. [Edit: My highest rated comment.YES!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8wbr?context=5)|Shortly after this we were forced to line up at gun point. It turned out that the guards just wanted to look at our piercings (my friends and I have facial piercings - eyebrow, gauged ears (not too big), etc...) The guards were cringing and giggling like girls whilst looking at them. They thought it was hilarious and gross that I had a 1 cm hole in my ear. Strange to see a man with an AK hiding his face in his hands and giggling like a school girl.... [Would have been funnier if you just replied coldly, "No."](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ofoig?context=5)|"No, it was endlessly dull and tiresome. Nothing of interest happened." [How often were you guys able to shower?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8vwm?context=5)|We camped for four days and then spent a night in a hostel/hotel, and repeat. So basically every four days. Occasionally we would find a service station with a shower that stunk of rape and drugs. You make do with what you get... [How were car shots done? like the ones in 0:25:24 - Did one of you guys get out to act it out or was there a dedicated camera guy from the event?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8vwm?context=5)|I was the camera man for our team, occasionally I would get out and walk ahead, let them pass and then get back in. Sometimes I would be leaning precariously out of the window or doors. Some teams filmed videos, some didn't. One team was sponsored by the Discovery channel and got a ton of amazing DSLR camera equipment for their video. But then they left it in their car on display in Budapest and it was all stolen :( [Best food you guys tried out?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8vwm?context=5)|Arabic food is my particular favourite. The spices they put in their meat are fantastic. I tried borscht for the first time in Russia (red cabbage soup) and it is surprisingly tasty considering how basic it is. [Just so you know - borsch is made from beets, not cabbage.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9k2e?context=5)|In my eyes it's made from heaven. [What was the most dangerous moment in the whole journey?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8pp5?context=5)|We had more than our fair share of near misses on the roads (especially in Romania-those people are crazy), but the one that stopped my heart for the longest was driving up the [Transfagarasan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transf%C4%83g%C4%83r%C4%83%C8%99an) highway (rated the best road in the world by Top Gear UK), we took a corner too fast and felt the wheels lift up off the road, we thought for sure we would tip and roll off the edge (no barriers, of course), but thankfully the insane amount of weight in our car kept it safe. We proceeded -slightly- slower from then on. [How much did it cost in petrol? Did you have to pay that out of your own pocket or was it subsidised?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8umr?context=5)|One was when we were setting up camp on the side of the road in Kazakhstan, it was pitch black and the road was cutting through a huge expanse of wasteland, there was nothing for miles around. Whilst we were cooking some delicious rice a car pulled up next to us and a huuuuuuge man got out. He came over to us where we were sitting on the floor, looked at our car (covered in stickers and bags) and asked "where you from?", we told him we were from England and he nodded, shook our hands and then returned to his car. He opened the boot of the car and bent in to get something. He walked back over to us with his arms full of something. We had no idea what was going on as it was too dark to see what was happening. He dropped....some things on the floor beside us and then went back to his car and brought one big thing. He dropped that too, then got in his car and drove off. We took a look at what he had left....eleven cantaloupes and a watermelon the size of a small tire. [Where there any moments where you thought about giving up and going home?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8umr?context=5)|We never felt like giving up, but there were several low points....like changing our third wheel in one day on a road through Siberia, the freezing rain pouring down and trucks driving past, splattering us with mud whilst we lay on the ground, jacking up the car. No one said anything, we just did what we had to do and got back in the car and drove on. [Any particularly scary moments?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8umr?context=5)|Aside from poor driving standards in many (read: all) of the countries we passed through, we had a few scary moments.... [That must have taken some creative packing to get three spare wheels, four people, camping equipment and food into that car!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9030?context=5)|We just assumed he was trying to sell them all day and didn't want to go home to his wife and have her be disappointed that he didn't sell them all. This way he can say that he sold everything! [Did you ever find out why he decided to give you eleven cantaloupes and a watermelon, or is it still a mystery?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9030?context=5)|Our roof rack collapsed several times from over-packing (as can be seen in the video) and we slowly moved more and more stuff into the car. We had our backpacks containing our personal items and clothes in the boot. Everything else went on the roof. [What would you say was the most beautiful place that you saw? ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8nbi?context=5)|It's hard to pick one specific place as....it turns out....the world is pretty beautiful! But one of my favorite places was Ani, a ruined Armenian city situated on the border to Turkey. The [wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ani) page has information and pictures about it, and it is also in my video of the trip. [I'm not trying to attack you. I think if you had a great time it was well worth the trip (and I'm sure you did have a good time\). I just had friends who did the Mongol Rally, and they were always going on and on about how it was for charity, but after some investigation I kind of fell on the side of thinking it wasn't for charity at all. And what exactly does your entry fee provide you with? Since there are no prizes or even recognition of getting done first, wouldn't it be cheaper just to drive on your own, independent of the organization? This is something I wonder about greatly.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o98aa?context=5)|We received t-shirts and Buffs as part of the rally, but as you said: no prizes. The organizers also run a visa service in which they provide a service for aquiring visas in countries such as Russia, where you require an invitation, this company has contacts in all the countries to get the invites that we would never be able to get by ourselves. I expect there were a couple of contacts that needed under-the-table deals to grease the wheels. Just a guess. It would be cheaper to do it ourselves, but there was a community spirit on the rally, a common support. And also we would never have been able to get visa invitations for many of the countries without the help the rally organizers provided. [What did it cost you all up (fuel, accom, rally entrance, misc++\)?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8t2a?context=5)|Entrance costs to the rally |Fuel. |Food. |Occasional accommodation when we needed showers or WIFI (normally slept in a tent) |Visas (Iran was the most expensive due to terrible laws about bringing cars in and out) |All equipment. |The trip took 5 weeks to get to Mongolia, and we stayed there for two weeks before flying home. Not too bad for the price and the experience! [What happened to your car?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o995i?context=5)|The car was auctioned off and the funds given to the charity in Mongolia. [That sounds like a lot of money to me... I was planning a route not through Iran so that saved a bit of money, and I was budgeting 4 weeks rather than 5. How much money did you spend out of your own pocket? I assume you obtained a lot of money through sponsorship. How much did you raise for charity?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa2q7?context=5)|Iran visas and car documents were a HEFTY amount of money. We're talking 400 pounds and up. So not doing that will save you a bunch. |We spent about 2500 each, I think. It's hard to tell, so much of it was spread out of several months. I didn't keep track because that would be emotionally upsetting. [Man. I love driving/road-tripping/traveling. Thank you so much for introducing me to this rally and I genuinely want to do it now.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o993y?context=5)|Hmmmm..... decent sleeping bags were very welcome. We had some colllllld nights. Especially in the desert. And a good sleeping mat, that made a big difference. We each had the self inflating sleeping mats, they proved verrrry valuable. [What items did you find essential for your trip? And what items did you realise afterwards that you should have taken?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o993y?context=5)|We also took a multi-fuel stove (MSR Whisperlite international) to cook boil in a bag rice and pasta in. A hot meal makes a world of difference after a long day. [Do you think a Fiat panda 4x4 (the old one from the 80's\) could do the trip?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8qn5?context=5)|Getting to the finish line and seeing some of the cars that DID make it....I would say yes, provided you have a decent amount of luck (we all needed that) and it isn't in terrible condition...yeah it could make it fine! |One car rolled three times and landed on its roof somewhere in Mongolia, the team were fine, they tipped it back up and made it to the finish line with no glass in any of the windows, no windscreen, wheels bent out of shape and off center. They duct-taped a piece of mesh fence to the front to act as an impromptu windscreen. |One guy did the whole thing on a scooter. A 75cc scooter, like [this](http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg253/scaled.php?server=253&filename=bestar3jpg.jpg&res=landing). |So I think your chances in a Panda are pretty good! ;) [Damn, that scooter... How long did it take him to do the whole thing?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9olk?context=5)|He arrived the day before we were leaving. So roughly seven weeks. We gave him major props for doing it. Nothing but respect for that guy. [At what point in the trip were you the closest to death?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8vp9?context=5)|Closest? Driving atop the mountains along the transfagarasan highway in Romania. We were up in thick fog and clouds. We couldnt see the front of the car it was so foggy. We were crawling along, with some cars slowly coming the other way in the other lane, then suddenly we see two headlights about ten feet in front of us, in our lane, going about 260mph, we swerved off the road and they just managed to cut in front of the cars in the oncoming lane. Our cars passed within an inch of each other. We had to stop and get our breath back. |Some people are dumb. [No question, just popping in to say that I'm a little jealous. That sounds like a whole lot of fun. Actually, I lie. A question: What was the reasoning behind the cc limit?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8vva?context=5)|To make it more of an adventure. Where's the fun in doing it in a suitable vehicle?! [That seems legit. As somebody who drives a 40 year old, small, british car I understand completely. Something reliable and modern with more than 4 speeds? Pffft.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o95ly?context=5)|The team that got there first did so in two weeks of non-stop driving. With people sleeping in the back. Whilst impressive, it is stupid because you miss the whole world. [I was thinking that it might actually have been a race at the same time, which would have added a whole layer of extra unnecessary crazyness onto the journey.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o95ly?context=5)|It's not a race. There's no prize for first place except bragging rights. We took our time and made several stops to different locations that we wanted to visit. Definitely the way to do it. [Did you get the Iranian visa at the border or beforehand?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o95u1?context=5)|We had to go to the embassy in London beforehand, because they want to take fingerprints. [I'm planning a motorcycle trip with a friend through the Silk Road. Getting the Iranian visa is the hardest of them all. I was rejected two years ago with no reason given :(](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o98fo?context=5)|Getting an Iranian visa is really difficult. Just keep trying. They will give it to you eventually. [Wow. I submitted all my forms to the Iranian embassy and it took them three months just to reject me. Your hours by comparison is good!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4on7ow?context=5)|I guess I'm lucky! [On the website it talks about the serious dangers, the possible loss of life etc. Did you know of anyone in your rally that this happened too?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o97hr?context=5)|On the rally that I was on (they do it every year for the past few years) there was one team that died when they -apparently- tried to overtake some cars and went headlong into an oncoming truck. Other than that there was several injuries, mostly caused by the influence of alcohol. Broken limbs, cuts, concussions and the like. |You have to sign a waiver when you join the rally to say that you understand the risks. |Most of the bad stuff happened because of stupidity in one way or another. There have been no serious attacks or anything. [Hmm thanks that makes the rally seem like a much better idea, or at least less insanely dangerous (only mostly dangerous\) than what the waiver section of the website sound like.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9qp0?context=5)|Legal talk. They've got to cover every possibility. It's fine, only a handful of teams have died in the last few years. And they've all been due to their own stupidity in one way or another. [How did you get from the UK to the rest of Europe? By boat, or did you use the Channel Tunnel?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8y4p?context=5)|We took the ferry from Dover to Calais, in the north of France. Most teams took ferries as they are most frequent and cheap. (about 5 GBP each person, including the car) [My friends did this too, they were the guys that did it in the 3 wheeled Relient Robin.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa199?context=5)|Oh yeah, we met them. Brave guys. Brave but stupid. [ people ever to pull it off in a 3 wheeler, they came in pretty early too, I think they were 8th...somehow.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa199?context=5)|And we took the southern route. [They won the *Legends of the Rally* award at the end.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa199?context=5)|We took the Southern. [Which route did you take? The southern or northern?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa199?context=5)|Wow! I didn't realize they got there so quickly. Very impressive. [This is such an amazing adventure to have! And I spent some time in Mongolia last year, and can also attest to its wonderfulness. And although I've never been to Iran, I once met the most amazing Iran family on vacation in Malaysia. Ever since then, I've really wanted to visit Iran. Is it feasible to bike tour around Iran, you think?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o8vck?context=5)|We only passed through the north, going down around the curve of the Caspain sea, although we did pass through Tehran we didn't stop there (choosing to stay in a small town just outside of it instead). Whilst we had no problems whatsoever, it is in the south where the 'action' is. So I cannot attest to that area. But certainly the top half of the country gets my approval! |And provided that you have experience/ are informed about cycling through deserts, you should be good to go :) [How long do you have to be in a car before you want to kill everyone in it ? Seriously though was there anyone who surprised you, unexpected friendliness or terribly mean?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9hpx?context=5)|We all knew each other for a long time, and are best friends, we really didnt have any problems together. I think it helps that we had all taken holidays together and been in lots of different crazy situations, so we knew who likes what and who gets annoyed by what. [Im watching the documentary just now, maybe i missed it so excuse me if i didnt hear why, but my question is why did one of the dudes drop out of the race or leave in Tbilisi?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9h72?context=5)|He joined last minute and had no time to get visas. Georgia is the last country in Europe you can get to with visas. [It's not so much being told off that we were worried about, I'd read stories that camping on the side of the road can be fairly dangerous because you're really vulnerable in a tent and so the possibility of being robbed/stabbed/raped increases. Is it just a case of using some common sense on where to pitch?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4onhmi?context=5)|Common sense and a bit of effort goes a long way. Just drive a bit out of the way and camp behind some trees. Makes a big difference. [Sweet!! My friends also did the Mongol Rally last year. They drove an ambulance! The Gate to Hell looks amazing!!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9df7?context=5)|We were lucky and only had one break down. A battery issue in Kazakhstan. We were so impressed with our car. [Did you guys break down very much?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9df7?context=5)|Flat tires don't count. We had loads of those. [Why did you go through Iran? Just looking at google maps it would seem that the best way is through Russia.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9oor?context=5)|The northern route (russia) is shorter, easier and less varied than the southern route (through the middle east). We chose to go south to see a wider variety of countries and cultures. [Did the car ever break down?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa21x?context=5)|The only major break down was in Kazakhstan, when our engine just died. We thought it was choked on the terrible fuel we kept pumping through it, and the battery was dead. We got it jump started and chugged it along to a garage, where the guy fixed it in twenty seconds. [When you got to Mongolia, did you ride horses and hunt with eagles?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9shx?context=5)|Sadly we did not, because we had to wait for two weeks there until our flights home and we only had enough money to spend $3 a day. Which was enough for our food, but not enough for any activities. |But I would like to go back and do it. [This rally is awesome. I'm from Norway, and two people from a big TV-station here made a program of themselves driving there in an old rusty firetruck while meeting all sorts of nice, helpful people along the way (and some not so nice\). Did you ever run into these two? Two men in their 50s in an old firetruck making a series?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9mba?context=5)|That does seem familiar. I think we met them in passing near the start. Most of the firetrucks took the northern route, which has easier roads. Did they go north? [Mongolia has the fastest growing economy in the world...but does it have a Wal-Mart?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9osw?context=5)|I doubt Wal-Mart could compete with the prices in Mongolia. We were living like kings on about $3 a day. [I've had other friends rejected, yet it seems rally applicants (me\) seem to get them in the end, i'd advise you to try and talk to the rally organisers and see if for a small fee they'll get you a letter of recomendation, or at least how to get one. i think its this that is the deciding factor?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oc7z5?context=5)|A letter of recommendation would help a lot. This is a good idea. [I want to know this too! TOBY!!!!! superninja edit- or is it "Terry"? Have lived in NE England for going on three years and I still get confused.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ocqts?context=5)|It's Toby. But I'm sure he would love to be called Terry. [How does one drive off of an island? ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4omqz4?context=5)|WD40 on the wheels - drive across the ocean. |We passed some ferries along the way. [I'm adding this to the list of reasons why you suck Jordan. My question is when are you coming back? Arsehole.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4od3yk?context=5)|I'll take that. ummmm...I don't know, I'm sorry. I have no real plans. You know me... [What was that big circular fire thing you guys were at? And why at one point were you being questioned by the police and made to get into their car? This is a pretty sweet video just watched the whole thing ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oe1hc?context=5)|That fire thing was 'the gates to hell'in Turkmenistan. If you look at my friends website: jakebaggaley.com you can look at his project about it, which has information on it. |The police thing was then saying we were speeding and wanting bribes. We didn't give them anything. [How much did you spend on gas?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa0k7?context=5)|Not really sure. Maybe about $550? Im hazarding a guess here... [Why the tennisballs?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oh6zb?context=5)|We were going to give them to kids in the desert, but ended up throwing them off of the dam in Romania... :P. [How did the car hold up? did either of you know anything about cars?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oitl6?context=5)|It held up incredibly well actually.we were very pleased and surprised. Our main issue was flat tyres. We knew nothing about cars, and had no mechanical experience. Thus was the case for the majority of the teams on the rally. [What is the worst car trouble you've had thus far? Beautiful pictures! ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4on19q?context=5)|Our engine stopped completely in Kazakhstan, turned out it was a problem with the battery connectors. [So, you're all super attractive but this Toby character...is he single? ;\)](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ofpjw?context=5)|I have informed him of your interest and shall let you know his response. [:D That would be so sweet.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4og0bc?context=5)|After careful deliberation and forethought, he has chosen to pursue this avenue of romantic involvement. Should you wish to take this situation to the next level, please pm me with contact information so that I may pass it on to him as his relationship intermediary. [Oh wow, I really did not think you were going to respond back! I live in America, is this a problem? Oh also I should probably tell you I am back with someone so I wouldn't exactly be down with a "romantic involvement" ;\) but I can still talk! :\)](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ppv76?context=5)|He has been devastated by this news. How could you do this to him? I trusted you! [What was camping like? Did you find actual sites or just find places to throw the tent up?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ohfpn?context=5)|We camped in a few camp sites, but mostly just threw up the tent on the side of the road in a field.never had any problems. [What was your back-up plan in case you broke down in the middle of nowhere or if someone came down with appendicitis? ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4on30z?context=5)|Panic. Fall down. Curl up. Weep. [I once drove through Mongolia back in 1544 and ended up in North Korea during the reign of Our Dear Leader. It was a pleasant miracle. Maybe I should do my own AmA?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ompow?context=5)|The people must know your story. [I remember Top Gear couldn't go into Iran. Is that just a ban on the BBC or did they give you a ton of grief too?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ohlrl?context=5)|That was a ban on the BBC, but it is very difficult for a UK citizen to get a visa.they are known to refuse you for no reason whatsoever. [On average how much time did you spend in the car each day, and how many miles/km did you drive each day ? Thanks for doing this, this story is very cool!](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4odvr1?context=5)|We spent roughly right hours in the car each day. Didn't seem that long though, there was always something new and strange to look at. [Did any Americans participate? i'd love to do this but i would worry about getting through Iran with a US passport.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ojc62?context=5)|There were loads of Americans. And dont worry, you can choose your own route, you dont have to go through Iran if you dont want to. [Great video! I have an exam on Thursday but that was worthwhile procrastination as it gives some food for thought on what I may do after I graduate/enter unemployment. I also really like your mate's photos. Kudos! Just a quick question - Would being brown be of any hindrance in some of the Eastern European countries?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4og521?context=5)|No, I wouldn't think so. Unless you got out of the car and were wondering around some of the more obviously dodgy places... [Did you do a talk at my school? Its in Wiltshire, if you did I just want to say it was a great talk.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4odz8k?context=5)|Nope, wasn't us I'm afraid. There was a team from Bournemouth though, it might have been them? [Were you inspired by Top Gear? Their adventures make me want to go out and do that kind of stuff.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4okmfk?context=5)|I love every travel episode of Top gear, and hate every car episode. I dont care for cars. :P. [How much did gas cost?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oka82?context=5)|If you Ctrl+f "gas" then you'll find me telling others. Cant be bothered to write it again. [I don't know if someone already asked but I didn't see it so... What country had the cheapest gas/petrol?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ohu16?context=5)|The government of Turkmenistan subsidizes fuel, so it was about $0.30 a litre! [Any problems in Iran or at the border?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oj2oe?context=5)|Nope, none at all. It was easy and friendly. A very pleasant surprise. [How did you drive across the English Channel?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ojmrj?context=5)|WD40 on the wheels. |Other teams took ferries though. [*England to Mongolia.* So the Suziki Alto is one of those boat-cars?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oflak?context=5)|Let's just say it has enough puck to float. [Have you ever seen Long Way Round?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ol7ay?context=5)|I certainly did, it was a big influence. [Ahaha, I commented before I read too far down the page. Was the ferry service prepared for the 300 extra cars, or was it a first-come-first-serve basis?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4ofwin?context=5)|It was first come first served, but we had booked our place a week or so beforehand, so it was a breeze for us. [Did I speak to you about Russia in a pizza place in Tottenham Court Road and did you tell me you fucked a Latvian? If so... wassup.](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oiyed?context=5)|I'm afraid that was not me. Sorry. [How long did it take?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oir18?context=5)|Five weeks of driving. [How much money did you raise?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4odrfc?context=5)|About £1700 in the end. [How'd you drive over water?](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4og8wb?context=5)|Wd40 on the wheels. [We had to go to the embassy in London beforehand, because they want to take fingerprints. ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o96iz?context=5)|It was one man, doing everything, there was about 50 of us waiting in a tiny hot room. Halfway through he just walked out of the building for an hour for his lunch break. |Fun times with bureaucracy. [How did you get into Turkmenistan, heard that was terribly difficult ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4omdpn?context=5)|It is. The visa people we got our invites and visas through had contacts in the turkmenistan embassy, they got us transit visas (like a truck driver) as they do not give tourist visas to UK citizens. [Tell me you did an oil change, Tell me you did! *waves close fist in front of your face like an angry parent might*](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4oa1wk?context=5)|We topped up our oil....that's like....the same thing....right? <_< [Id like to join a team.. i dont know anyone in england, but id be glad to chip in with some money. im glad you had fun. ill be out and about soon. first stop verona in december. ](http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/to00c/i_drove_with_friends_from_england_to_mongolia/c4o9hky?context=5)|If you sign up for the rally there are always teams looking for extra members, because people drop out for a variety of reasons. Im sure someone would love to have you along. *Last updated: 2012-05-19 15:37 UTC* | *Next update: 2012-05-19 21:37 UTC* *This post was generated by a robot! Send all complaints to [epsy](/message/compose/?to=epsy).* more