What is cycling in Russia like? Would I want to tackle such a tour — possibly in the middle of nowhere? It sounds like cycling across Russia is not for the faint-hearted, especially if you sally forth on your own. Apparently the biggest risks are cold (it can get cold at night even during Summer); crazy traffic; and wildlife.

What kind of bicycle? There can be very long distances between towns; and you’ll need to carry enough food to tide you over in case you can’t get to town soon enough. A touring bike is suggested if you expect to be mostly on paved roads. If you’ll do a lot of riding over unpaved roads, go for a mountain bike.

I suppose it’s even possible that you must be prepared to camp; so a bicycle with a rack is wise. You can use panniers to bring food; and a tent and sleeping bag can be strapped to the top of the rack. Just be sure you don’t pitch your camp in prohibited areas; check on this before leaving home.

It all sounds like more than I’m capable of handling.  If I were to cycle Russia, I’d stick with tours of the larger cities; and I don’t think I would go solo! My Russian vocabulary consists of only a few words; so things might get tricky.

Moscow offers ten routes that let you explore the city on two wheels. Saint Petersburg? Like Moscow, St. Petersburg has some amazing architecture. I always wondered how those domes were built: not only their onion-like shapes, but those stripes in different colors! Eventually I learned that the domes are wood; and the colors are tiles.

Kiev? That actually isn’t Russia; but Kiev seems to be more bicycle-friendly than it used to be. And I bet I’d enjoy seeing the Great Gate!