Silk Road Mtb Race

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Chew
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Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Chew »

Another one to have a ponder about

http://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/
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gairym
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by gairym »

I got very excited by this one initially but upon further investigation it's all a bit organised for me.

Had a facebook chat with the guy organising it and he said he's modeling it on the TCR so you're paying more for it than for most 'bikepacking' events as you've got to pay for manned checkpoints, photographers and a certain level of emergency support etc...

Checkpoints on an event with no fixed route makes a certain amount of sense to me in order to steer the riders in the right direction but on a fully fixed route I don't really get it???

Not for me overall but a regular, no time limit, no checkpoint and more self-supported version of this event/route would have had me furiously earning brownie points between now and then in order to participate!

Sure it'll be a great experience for all those who're up for it!
jameso
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by jameso »

a regular, no time limit, no checkpoint and more self-supported version of this event/route
Appeals to me too - ie 'going touring in the Pamirs' : )
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gairym
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by gairym »

James, for sure but I do like the idea of a group start, riding solo but in and amongst many others doing the same thing at the same time.

Obviously we can all go ride anywhere at any time but I do enjoy the social aspect of non-competitive 'events'.

And this route appeals more than most!
jameso
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by jameso »

I know what you mean Gairy. Kyrgyzstan's been on the list for a number of years. Got maps, routes made as GPX etc, but not sure it's one for a solo ride for me. Better to be shared with the right group.
Chew
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Chew »

If we can find the route im in :-bd
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gairym
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by gairym »

Cool, let's wait until after the event and then get the route to do as a group ride the year after!!!* :-bd

*I'm getting enthusiastic about 2019 as we have a newborn and there's no way in hell I'm getting 2+ weeks of freedom anytime in the next year :sad:
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ZeroDarkBivi
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by ZeroDarkBivi »

Rode a little in Kazakhstan / Kyrgyzstan 10 years ago. Fab riding, although my enduring memories are of ropey food and numerous punctures from broken glass on the double track. I genuinely think there was a custom of smashing your bottle of vodka on the track once it was empty... Maybe not so bad in the more remote parts, you know, where the Soviets tested their nuclear bombs!!!

Despite these small matters, I would still like to go back, but not solo for me either.
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Karl
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Karl »

Looks like me and Giacomo have a pairs entry!!! :-bd
Giacomo
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Giacomo »

Wahooooo.... Oh crap....
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Richpips
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Richpips »

We are waiting on a reply............
Trail-rat
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Trail-rat »

guy i used to work with i had no idea was into this sub standard popped up with an entry ......

are you on here Sandy ?
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Richpips
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Richpips »

Has anybody got in off the latest release of places?

We didn't, though that was sort of expected.
Giacomo
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Giacomo »

Sorry to hear that you guys didn't make it.

Good luck at Strathpuffer this weekend!
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Richpips
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Richpips »

Sorry to hear that you guys didn't make it.

Good luck at Strathpuffer this weekend!
Thanks!
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Karl
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Karl »

Well me and Giacomo have arrived in Bishkek. Keep Pedalling are due on Friday. Not sure when Adventure Pedlar Pete is arriving. If you'd like to follow us we start on Saturday morning 9am Kyrgyzstan time (4am UK time).

Follow us here (we’re caps 33a and 33b):

Race website:
https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/

Tracking website:
https://pedaledsilkroadmountainraceno1.maprogress.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace

Podcast:
https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/podcast2018
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Moder-dye
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Moder-dye »

I listened to and enjoyed the podcasts yesterday and a good explanation of the way and why its been run as it is as well as interviews with Lee Craigie, Mark Beaumont and Ed Shoots.

Good luck to anyone doing it, Sounds ace :-bd
slarge
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by slarge »

Good luck everyone, noticed Rickie Cotter is doing it also. Say hello from me! It's got to be on the list for next year......
fatbikerbill
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by fatbikerbill »

Good luck Karl & everyone else.

looking forward to hearing the stories.
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Moder-dye
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Moder-dye »

Starts today :-bd
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summittoppler
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by summittoppler »

The tracking website is very impressive, much more user friendly than trackleaders imo.
Looks a lovely part of the world too :)
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jameso
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by jameso »

Lots of drop bars, 40c tyres and even carbon deep section rims in the social media stuff for the SRMR. Thought it was an MTB terrain and jeep track route? Maybe it is :grin:
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Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by Bearbonesnorm »

Stupid question - did everyone set off at the same time? Appears to be a massive difference in distances covered so far.
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summittoppler
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by summittoppler »

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Stupid question - did everyone set off at the same time? Appears to be a massive difference in distances covered so far.
Yep think so. Jay P will probably run away with it.
Shona said there was a section of over 500 miles that is totally off the grid so they have to take enough grub for that and there was only 3/4 places to stock up on the whole route!

Looking forward to seeing pics of the route.
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jameso
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Re: Silk Road Mtb Race

Post by jameso »

500 miles with no supplies? That's committed... Wow.
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