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 eight edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race will follow a 2,052 kilometre route with roughly 35,362 metres of elevation gain. It will start in Talas, in the northwest of Kyrgyzstan, and will finish in Cholpon Ata on the north shore of lake Issyk-Kul.

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What drives people to travel to remote areas and take part in ultra distance bikepacking races?

Set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and filmed at last years SRMR, Mountains and Trees looks at the motivations behind these extraordinarily hard races in beautiful, remote environments.

An Albion & Pertex production.

Listen to the official race radio, with adventure cyclist Mel Webb following all the drama throughout the race.

In the first episode, Mel and Race Director Nelson Trees break down this year’s route, the top contenders and expected race conditions. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Mountain Races Podcast wherever you listen to be notified of episodes throughout the race.   There will be daily updates coming from across the race, not just the front of the field.