16-30 AUGUST 2025
Registration opens 06.12.2024
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Characterized by its untouched wilderness, high mountain passes, unpredictable weather and warm hospitality, the Silk Road Mountain Race is an adventure like none other.
The Silk Road Mountain Race is a fixed route, unsupported, single-stage cycling race through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The clock does not stop and there are no prizes. It follows gravel, single and double track and old soviet roads that have long been forgotten and fallen into disrepair. There is very little tarmac. There is some hike a bike, and at times there is great distances between resupply points.
The exact distance and elevation vary from year to year, but riders can expect approximately 1900km in distance, 30,000m of climbing, and 14 days to complete the route.
WHY KYRGYZSTAN?
Kyrgyzstan is a rugged central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions. The sheer scale of the mountains here, the vast grasslands of the high alpine valleys and how untouched it all is by human civilization sets the stage for an epic adventure. Many of the places you’ll ride through are not inhabited year round, with only yurts present in the summer months as locals bring their herds up to the summer pastures, known locally as jailoo.
The Kyrgyz people have a strong and proud nomadic heritage with a deep culture of hospitality. You will have an unforgettable experience coming to this country that is only just starting to get a reputation as an incredible place for off the beaten path, adventurous travel. Kyrgyzstan is also one of the most accessible countries in Central Asia.
APPLYING TO RACE
Categories: Racers can ride solo or as a pair
Cost: £450 per rider + £80 tracker rental if required (one tracker per participant for pairs)
The Silk Road Mountain Race is a serious undertaking that should not be underestimated. It takes place in an environment that can be as tough as it is beautiful. It requires not only the ability to ride big days back to back, but also knowledge and experience of self-reliance in a high-altitude, mountainous environment. Although it is definitely a race, your primary concern should always be your own safety. Riders will experience the natural beauty of Kyrgyzstan, and the warmth and generosity of its people. It is an experience that will likely stay with you a lifetime.
Ideally riders should have experience with multi-day bikepacking trips — preferably off-road in remote areas. Riders need to understand how to look after themselves in a harsh environment, when they’re exhausted and near their limits.
We don’t want the races to seem like something that is completely off-limits to anyone except the most hardcore bikepacking racers. All those who wish to race will be required to complete an application that assesses your ability to make safe decisions in the mountains.
