| > | > | Russia | . | |
I don't really have anything on Russia yet, so check out a few things I've found interesting:
Create a Ukraine page and add this to it: the Serpent's Wall
The Economist magazines guide to Moscow
The Economist magazines guide to Moscow restaurants
eXile - a Moscow-based Alternative Newspaper. In addition to the online paper, they offer a restaurant guide, club guide, and, perhaps best of all, through their field guide to Moscow people watching, you can learn quite a bit about life in Moscow without ever setting foot there.
The Moscow Times two best features for someone wanting to visit Russia are G!O - The Moscow Times' Entertainment and Nightlife Guide, and their Guide to Russia, one of the best online guides i have seen - Definitely read it over before planning a trip to Russia.
Sport & Recreation: Velo Moscow
Moscow's most colorful bike shop is OmniBike, in Sokolniki's bike market, complete with a classy art gallery of athletic models wearing little but bicycle components. OmniBike is a hip, high-end store selling state-of-the-art, city cruiser bikes, full-suspension mountain bikes, hybrid bikes designed for both on- and off-road riding, and road bikes. The staff is professional and knowledgeable, and the vast showroom gives an ample choice of new steeds. They offer free delivery in Moscow, personalized fitting, extended warranties and service, as well as financing and English-speaking personnel. Their specialty is custom-painted and personalized bicycles.
Bike 'n' Roll is located close to the center and carries mostly midrange road and mountain bikes as well as accessories. Like OmniBike, it is staffed by ex-bicycle racers who know their products well and will spend time giving you a personalized fitting. The shop offers extended warranties and service on all sales. Bike 'n' Roll accepts credit cards, and also offers credit programs. Their web site features a Russian-language online shop.
VeloMir is a spacious two-level store with a wide selection of bikes and components. Geared towards a young crowd and those who enjoy the more extreme types of cycling like BMX and street riding, VeloMir has a good choice of cycling clothes and boasts a professional staff with excellent mechanical knowledge.
VeloImperia is a good shop for children's bikes, as well as adult bikes in the middle- to low-budget range. You can find many classic, bright-framed Russian bikes for preschoolers, with squeaking ducks and assorted bells, whistles and baskets that can double as shopping carts for busy parents. VeloImperia also carries specialty components and equipment for downhill riding, which has had a recent surge in popularity. Downhill riding can be found at ski slopes around the city, some of which operate in the summer for cycling and other activities (see sidebar).
As for getting to where you want to ride, don't expect the metro matrons to allow you to haul your new purchase up and down the escalators. You will have to use a car (OmniBike has excellent Thule bike racks) or train to arrive at your destination, unless you wish to brave Moscow's traffic on two wheels.
Bittsevsky Park: huge park with downhill slopes and rolling terrain, suitable for beginners and expert riders alike. Bikes are available for rent.
M. Bittsevsky Park
Filyovsky Park: more advanced riding and some flat paths next to the Moscow River.
M. Filyovsky Park.
Sokolniki Park: excellent terrain for beginners.
M. Sokolniki.