Kamaz - Russian Workhorse

As long as 22 wheels and sometimes as short as only 6 wheels but as tall as a house, the Kamaz is a frequent site on the Russian far east roads.

Not only has the Kamaz been helping the economy out here, sometimes by brute force by fording rivers where bridges have been out, crossing long dusty stretches of Russian gravel or acting as a bus taking passengers to the remote outpost, but the drivers have also been a boon to ourselves and our trip.

Many times when in need or not the drivers have stopped to offer their help or assistance as needed. Once when almost out of gasoline a group of drivers stopped and radioed behind to another.

Kamaz that was towing a Lada behind. Once catching up with us, the driver quickly produced a hose and siphoned the contents from the hapless car into our fuel cans where they were quickly emptied once more into our bikes. The drivers all firmly refused our offer of payment and with a wave and a smile continued on their long trek to wherever they were headed.

Another instance Matt had another encounter with a nail, when Henning and I were ahead. Again Kamaz drivers stopped and quickly helped with nary a request for return.

Offering food, showering us with vodka or helping us cross a large river, this has continued throughout our trip, and has helped us quickly build up an affinity for these strong guys, who sometime with their family, spend weeks on the road working as a driver, spending a lot of time working as roadside mechanics constantly keeping their trucks in shape and providing assistance to us whether we are in need or not. We salute and thank them.
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