Two Sidecar Adventurers Bound for Europe and Asia

They quit their jobs, chose an unconventional machine, and drew a line from France to Mongolia across 25 countries. Meet Jérémy and Marion—and their project, Uralistan.

Jérémy and Marion are the kind of travelers who don’t just talk about a big departure—they build it. Their plan is a voyage moto Europe that keeps stretching east, country after country, until the steppe opens up in Mongolia. The vehicle choice sets the tone: an Ural sidecar, equal parts practical tool and conversation starter. Planet Ride shares the same vision of motorized adventure—serious preparation, real freedom—so we decided to follow their journey from the first ideas to the first kilometers.

Let’s introduce them

Jérémy is from western France. Before the road called louder, he worked as an electrical engineering specialist. Marion is from Nantes and studied architecture. Travel has been part of her life since childhood—family trips that taught her early what it means to move slowly, observe, and adapt.

Three years before launching Uralistan, they made a first major leap: leaving France to settle in Laos. A new culture, a different rhythm, and a deliberate choice to reshape their professional lives. Once in Asia, they began working in tourism—within an agency focused on enduro motorbike roadtrips. It wasn’t a random pivot: they wanted a job that matched what they love most—routes, bikes, and the human side of travel.

The birth of a project: between adventure and discovery

The original dream was almost a straight line: reach Laos overland from France, turning the map into one long ride. At the time, they weren’t ready—and the project evolved. Later, the idea became the reverse: return from Laos to France by land, avoiding the simplicity of an airport and a flight.

That’s where reality hit: border crossings, administrative steps, and route feasibility quickly make “overland” more than a romantic word. Leaving Laos overland is not always straightforward depending on the countries, visas, and timing. So they flipped the direction again—back to a clean starting point. The plan became clear: depart from France and ride to Mongolia.

Why “Uralistan”?

The name is a map in itself.

“Ural” comes from the sidecar brand they chose: Ural—famous, cinematic, and loaded with an expedition vibe. “Stan” points to one of their major motivations: crossing the “-stan” countries around the Caspian sphere—places many people struggle to locate on a map, and that remain comparatively under-visited.

For Jérémy and Marion, those names aren’t just syllables—they’re an invitation to take the long way through regions that don’t sell themselves easily, but reward riders who show up with time, patience, and curiosity.

An original road companion: the Ural sidecar

They chose a Ural sidecar for three simple reasons: it’s fun, it’s rare, and it’s practical. Two people on a single motorcycle, plus personal gear and camping equipment, forces tough compromises. A sidecar changes the equation: more carrying capacity, easier organization, and a vehicle that naturally draws people in.

There’s also an honest challenge: they hadn’t ridden a sidecar before. That means learning a new way to handle braking, cornering, and fatigue—especially on long days. It’s part of the adventure, but it’s also part of the preparation.

Planet Ride tip: when you’re learning a new machine (sidecar, heavy ADV bike, loaded 4x4), plan shorter stages at the beginning. In real life, 6 to 8 hours on the road isn’t “six to eight hours of driving”—it’s fuel stops, water breaks, border queues, detours, and the unexpected. Build your pace around what the day will actually feel like.

Route prep: how they’re building the itinerary

Their method is straightforward and smart: research first, then refine with people who’ve actually ridden there. They’re gathering feedback country by country, asking other riders what’s worth the detour and what’s just a pin on a map.

On a transcontinental ride like this, details matter: the type of roads you’ll face (fast asphalt, broken secondary roads, occasional gravel), how often you’ll find fuel, and how you manage days that are long even when distances look reasonable. Crossing into Central Asia also tends to bring a different rhythm—more wind, bigger spaces, fewer services—so offline navigation and a clear system for documents become as important as the bike itself.

And yes: if the plan is truly 25 countries to Mongolia, it’s not a weekend escape. It’s a structure—weeks, potentially months—where consistency beats hero rides.

How to follow this unusual adventure

You can track their journey and updates via their channels:

• Their blog: http://uralistan.fr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uralistan/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uralistan.roadtrip/

Explore Planet Ride roadtrips in Europe and Asia

If their story sparks ideas for your own voyage moto Europe or a longer eastern push, Planet Ride also designs and curates routes across Europe and Asia—with local expertise and the kind of preparation that makes freedom sustainable.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This article captures a project launched around 2020, and the core idea still stands: crossing Europe and Asia by sidecar is absolutely doable with serious preparation. What should be checked before leaving today is everything tied to timing and borders—entry conditions country by country, insurance requirements, and route constraints that can change season to season.