Frequently asked questions about the "Vologda-Onego-Ladoga" brevet

  1. How to get a Russian visa?
  2. What qualification level is required for the brevet?
  3. How to pay the entry fee?
  4. What is included in entry fee?
  5. How to get to the start point?
  6. I arrive to Moscow and depart from Saint Petersburg. What can I do with my bicycle bag?
  7. Where it is possible to stay overnight in Cherepovets before start?
  8. Is it possible to leave baggage at start point and get it back at controls and at the finish point (bag drop)?
  9. How many sleeping controls will be on the way? What does overnight stop mean and include?
  10. Where can I eat during the ride?
  11. What is at the finish point?
  12. How can I get from finish point to Saint Petersburg?
  13. What is the relief of the route?
  14. What is the roads condition on the route?
  15. What about cellular coverage on the route?
  16. What lights are required for night riding? What is “White Nights”?
  17. What is obligatory equipment for brevet?
  18. Is it possible to buy or order uniform devoted to this event?
  1. How to get a Russian visa?

    Information about visas to Russia: www.expresstorussia.com/russian_visas.html. We advise to ask for invitation a hotel where you book a room.

  2. What qualification level is required for the brevet?

    For registration it is enough to complete one BRM (300km or more) in 2015 or 2016. For advanced cyclers who has experience of 600km rides – to complete 200 km brevet is enough.

  3. How to pay the entry fee?

    See the price note.

  4. What is included in entry fee?

    Route sheet, hot meal and overnight stop at controls, transfer from Cherepovets to start point, bag-drop, shower and food at finish point are included in entry fee. Subject to change.

  5. How to get to the start point? 

    The start point is in Kirillov town Vologda region. Special buses will deliver participants from Cherepovets to start (Thanks to Severstal).
    The easiest way to get to Cherepovets is to take a train from Moscow or Saint Petersburg. According to Russian Railways rules bicycle should be packed and you should buy a baggage ticket. You can buy train tickets starting from 45 days prior the date of trip, also you can do it online on Russian Railways site. Foreign guests can get assistance with buying tickets if needed.
    Also you can get to Cherepovets from Saint Petersburg or Moscow by air. The flights are oper-ated by Severstal aircompany. We will notify about the summer schedule. Unfortunately, these tick-ets cannot be purchased as part of the route, you may have to change for these flights. The price of tickets is about 120 EUR + bicycle. We will try to get some discount
    Detailed instructions and schedule will be available at web site http://www.vol1200.ru closer to the launch time.

  6. I arrive to Moscow and depart from Saint Petersburg. What can I do with my bicycle bag? 

    Unfortunately, there is no possibility to carry oversized things on the distance. If you are coming not from Saint Petersburg, your baggage including bicycle bag can be shipped directly to Saint-Petersburg with a transport company. Approximate rate is 15-20 EUR. Please inform us in advance if you want to use this option.

  7. Where it is possible to stay overnight in Cherepovets before start?

    Start of the event is supported by Severstal. PJSC "Severstal" is one of the world's largest steel and mining companies.
    The first 80 participants (who will make a prepayment) get a free accommodation on the night before the start. Information regarding ac-commodation and pre-start program will be announced later

  8. Is it possible to leave baggage at start point and get it back at controls and at the finish point (bag drop)? 

    Yes, bag drop can be delivered to the controls and finish point. Bag drop size per person – 25-30 liters – compact backpack or compact package. Detailed information will be available in June 2016.

  9. How many sleeping controls will be on the way? What does overnight stop mean and include?

    We plan to arrange over 10 sleeping controls, detailed information per each sleeping point will be available in June 2016. Accommodation is planned to be in buildings, usually in schools. Participants will get blankets or sleeping bags.

  10. Where can I eat during the ride?

    You can get food at every control on the way; hot meals are at most of them. Location of towns/villages will be marked in the route sheet where you can find shops and café, possibly with open hours.

  11. What is at the finish point? 

    Finish is planned near the hotel on the Ladoga coast (www.vberezovo.ru). Site is only in russian. Participants will be able to eat, to have a shower and to sleep in dormitories. It is possible to book room there if necessary (at extra charge). Subject to changes.

  12. How can I get from finish point to Saint Petersburg? 

    There is a train station Kuznechnoye (Кузнечное) near the finish point, where you can take suburban train up to Saint Petersburg. Volunteers at finish will give you exact instructions.

  13. What is the relief of the route? 

    The route is quite plain (summary enroute climb is about 7000 m), but the last 250km are full of short but steep climbs.

  14. What is the roads condition on the route? 

    Great changes were done since VOL-2012. This new route really differs from previous. We do hope that all roads of the route will be in very good condition. However, first 250km can consist some poor parts. The whole route is equipped with meteo cameras, so you can see the roads online on the site. In addition, several parts of the route are available in street view of Google maps.

  15. What about cellular coverage on the route?

    Almost the whole route is covered with cellular service. You can find contact numbers of providers and volunteers in your route sheet. We recommend you to use Megafon mobile operator.

  16. What lights are required for night riding? What is “White Nights”?

    As brevet is organized during the White Nights period, front light and rear red light are enough. The White Nights period means only twilight all the night.

  17. What is obligatory equipment for brevet? 

    Your bicycle should be in good conditions; also, you need to have two spare inner tubes, pump, and reflective jacket. Every participant should wear a helmet during the whole ride. In addition, it is necessary to use rear red light and front white light and wear reflective jacket during the nighttime (since 11 p.m. up to 6 a.m.) Everyone will get personal number. It should be fixed on your bicycle during the ride. 

  18. Is it possible to buy or order uniform devoted to this event? 

    Yes, it will be possible to buy original jersey VOL-2016 (at extra charge). You can get your jersey 1 day prior the start.