Lunch in Red Square

This summer I fulfilled an ambition to return to Moscow by calling a #RideToEat in Red Square. Three UK riders crossed the channel separately on Monday heading for lunch in Moscow on Friday.

JB & Mike met up in Hannover, Germany that evening and I joined them for breakfast before setting off together to ride 700 miles to Suwalki, Poland. Sticking together over that distance proved challenging and many pretty villages were inspected along the way. The day finished with a welcome beer in the hotel bar.
The third day entailed a 285 mile route across Poland, Lithuania and Latvia to Ludza, just 20 miles from the Russian border. Here we met up with Phillipe from Switzerland for supper. Next morning Phillipe set off early to the border. Mike, JB & I had a leisurely breakfast then rode to the border where we met the fourth Brit, Phil. Three hours later we completed the crossing into Russia.
Our ride through open forest to Moscow was split at a roadside diner where a complete stranger acted as interpreter and also paid for our food. The Russians are a very hospitable people. On the outskirts of Moscow we were welcomed by a Russian Iron Butt rider who led us the most efficient route across town to our hotel and arranged overnight security for our bikes.
Friday was spent being tourists, exploring the city, lunching in Red Square and dining with a group of Russians who made us more than welcome.

Saturday started with an early morning ride across the city to be photographed with our bikes on Red Square. We then left, each riding at his own pace, towards the border. Mike & I stopped in Ludza Saturday night and on Sunday headed for Warsaw and beyond. We split up near Lodz and I spent my last night away in a small motel.
Rising early on Monday I calculated ETA at Calais, 850 miles, and booked a Chunnel. I arrived in Calais well ahead of schedule and caught a train almost immediately. Obviously when I emerged at Folkestone, despite having enjoyed clear, dry, sunny weather all day, driving rain stayed with me all the way home.

SUMMARY
Days away from home: 7
Miles ridden: 3,940
Highest speed: 96mph
Shortest day: 285 miles
Longest day: 945 miles

More detailed report of this trip here.