Silk Road Mountain Race

Riders will gather for the start of the race at the flagpole near Orto-Say, on the way out of Bishkek. Unlike last year where we had a neutralised start and police escort, riders will be able to race at their own pace from the outset. The first 10 kilometres or so are very quiet dirt roads that will allow riders to spread out before briefly crossing the main road. The road is mostly tarmac with a little gravel and there is some climbing to get warmed up ahead of the bigger challenges that await them.

The biggest single ascent of the entire race in elevation gain. It’s long and tough and will quickly let riders know what they’re getting themselves into. Last year it had a real impact on the overall field of riders, with some deciding to make their way over the pass on the first day and others preferring to wait until morning. The weather on the first day can also have a big influence on riders’ decision to push on or stay put, with a thunderstorm battering riders on their way to the summit. It should definitely not be underestimated. Keep your pace steady and work your way up and over the pass at your own rhythm. The beginning of the descent is a narrow track on steep, loose rock and should be approached with caution. After a couple of kilometres the surface becomes much better and the descent is really quite enjoyable. Be careful not to damage anything on the large rocks that are strewn across the otherwise relatively good road surface.

After the hardships of Kegety, riders will take a right into the Karakol valley. They will soon be making their way up another high pass, at a little over 3400 meters. They will be surrounded by beautiful alpine landscapes before finally reaching Kojomkul, the first resupply point of the race. The village is not much to look at but there are a handful of shops here with basic supplies.

Riders will then head through a narrow valley along the Kokemeren river on a mixed surface with its fair share of washboard gravel. If the timing is right, there are a number of guest houses in Kyzl-Oi which they can ask about at the CBT office in the village. There is also one small, rather limited shop in town. Riders will soon leave the valley behind and turn towards Chaek, the first decent sized town on the race route. They will be able to find supplies here or a little later on the way to Kyzart in the market town of Kuyruchuck.

The route up to Checkpoint 1 is in our opinion the most beautiful way to reach Song Kul lake from the north or west but it's also one of the most difficult. To reach the foot of the climb riders leave the main road and head through what riders dubbed the ‘longest village in Kyrgyzstan’. The climb itself is around 10 kilometres at an average gradient of 10%. The last few milometers get so steep though, that walking will be required. Once the summit of Tuz Ashuu is reached it’s not quite a cruise to the checkpoint though with a few short sharp hills along the north shore of the lake to keep things interesting. This section was underestimated by almost everyone last year. It will take longer than expected.

After leaving Checkpoint one behind, riders will be treated to a big gravel descent as they head down Moldo-Ashuu pass. At the foot of the climb they’ll have the option of having a rare coffee at the shop in Jangy-Talap. They’ll then cross the Naryn river and return briefly onto paved roads before reaching Baetov, the last town before an extended stint in the wilderness. There are shops here and even a hotel.

It may not look like much on the map but this section of the route is one of our favourites and features some of the most stunning views of the entire race. Be sure to look over your shoulder as you reach the summit of the climb shortly after Baetov. The rippling canyons and foothills are truly a sight to behold. After another descent riders will reach the smooth, Chinese built tarmac of the main road to China from Naryn.

The Chinese highway is 80 kilometers of smooth tarmac until you reach the border control point at Torugart. Riders will reach speeds they had almost forgotten were possible on the flat. Beyond Torugart though, the road becomes a rough mud track along the eerie no man's land with China. Be warned that this whole area can be extremely dry so think carefully about your water needs until you reach CP2. This is the one section where it might be worth thinking about bringing extra water from Baetov as the climb out of town and descent to the highway can also be very dry. Once you leave the wide valley where Chatyr Kul lake is located and turn off towards CP2, the landscape changes quickly and riders will again be treated to stunning alpine views until they reach checkpoint 2.

The old soviet road is only a short section of the overall route but it left a marking impression on riders in the first edition of the race. The 1.4 kilometre climb out of CP2 has an average gradient of almost 14%, gradually increasing on the way up, to reach 18% near the summit. It’s almost certainly a push from start to finish. Be careful of the remains of barbed wire fence that are sometimes strewn across the trail. In our opinion the reward is worth the effort though, with a fantastic section of single track on the way down towards the main road.

After crossing the Ak-Sai river, riders will travel north and then east instead of heading towards Naryn as they did last year. They ride further into the wilderness for what is the longest new section of route. They will then follow the Chinese border via a long forgotten road that is now only used by the few hunting camps and army bases that are the only marks of human civilisation out here. Expect stunning views of the Dankova massif to the south. This area is as spectacular as it is desolate and remote. This whole valley is very exposed with a distinct possibility of wind and difficult weather conditions. There is very little shelter. If you do need to seek refuge, the storm drains under the road can provide some protection from the elements.