St Petersburg was wonderful, but it was time to get moving, so a long ride down to Moscow. Moscow traffic can be exciting, as you try to navigate 6 lane highways which run through the city (particularly when you can't read the road signs). I arrived on a balmy evening, with lots of people milling around near the Kremlin.
After parking the bike up and checking in, I thought I'd go and stretch my legs and so I wandered over to the riverside. Just as I arrived a huge firework display started. Apparently this is the day the city celebrates its birthday! Moscow was founded in 872 - so happy 1,147!
The following day I planned to wander into red square, head over to the mausoleum and ask … is Len in? (copyright Ken Dodd - mid 70s). However there had been some parade or some function and so the place was largely closed off as they removed scaffolding from temporary seating.
Its very obvious Moscow is the capital. The centre is very clean (they have vehicles which wash the city streets) and it generally looks flash, compared to the slightly shabbier St Petersburg. Speedboats dash along the river and people paddleboard in the smaller canals. Costs are similar to London and the locals do like to dress up/well.
On my way in, there was a brief introduction to a bit of Muscovite car culture. One of the main roads in the centre is a toll road, and after the final set of toll booths there is a large open areas where about 10 lanes to merge into 6. About 7 high powered cards (Audis, BMWs etc..) were milling around, and then all of a sudden they start doing donuts in the middle of the motorway, as the police look on, slightly bored.

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