If someone had told me a few years ago that I would one day want to take part in this race, I would have thought they were crazy… And yet, this summer, Hermann and I are taking on the unimaginable as a team: SILK ROAD MOUNTAIN RACE.
(1900km/ 30.000m elevation gain)
Nelson, the race organizer, describes it like this:
Characterized by untouched wilderness, high mountain passes, unpredictable weather, and warm hospitality, the Silk Road Mountain Race is an adventure like no other.
It is a bike race along a fixed route through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan—completely unsupported and in a single stage. The clock never stops, and there are no prizes.
The route follows gravel roads, single and double tracks, and old Soviet roads that have long fallen into disrepair. There is little asphalt, and at times, riders must carry their bikes—one section, as I’ve learned, stretches up to 30 kilometers!
The distances between resupply points can also be vast—up to 400 kilometers in some cases.
The exact distance and elevation gain vary from year to year, but participants can expect around 1900 km of riding, 30,000 meters of climbing, and a maximum of 14 days to complete the route. Will we make it?
We were lucky to secure a spot after a strict selection process, which included an extensive application questionnaire.
I’m beyond excited for August! But at the same time, I have enormous respect for this adventure. This is the ultimate challenge—pushing far beyond my comfort zone!
Christian Biehl’s report (SRMR 2023)
Markus Recker has documented every day of his 2024 race on his YouTube channel. Check out his adventure in 13 episodes! 1-13
images from A.B., @gravel_opa
