How The Mountain Races Changed Ultra Distance Racing (Video)

Finley Newmark’s latest film is a collaboration with cycling apparel brand Albion and athletic fabrics company Pertex. Mountains and Trees explores the origins of the Mountain Race series, how it came to be, and the enormity of the terrain it asks riders to race across.

Following well-known riders like Chris Burkhard, Meaghan Hackinen, and Josh Ibbett through the latest edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race, it’s beautifully shot and showcases the awe-inspiring vistas of Kyrgyzstan while telling an interesting story about those who’ve established an event there.

Finley was impacted through the process of making the film, saying, “I’ve followed the Mountain series for years, with a broader interest in ultra racing. The series has always carried a mythical atmosphere—in the media, the articles, and the stories that spread among participants. But documenting the Silk Road Mountain Race made me realize that mystique might not be a choice. The terrain, the inaccessibility of these places, and the timeframe of a race that never stops make it physically impossible to capture the experience and intricacies of every participant – that’s what makes it beautiful, most of these moments are between the rider and the mountains. At any given moment, someone is living their highest high while someone else is living their lowest low. Nelson Trees’ story is central to the film, as the creator and race director but really, it’s a story about the adventures he’s sharing with everyone in this community. If a tiny bit of this feeling is transferred to the viewer, I’ll be very happy.”

For more from Finley, check out his Instagram.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

28

Bikepacking Bikes

Allan Shaw’s Silk Road Mountain Race Omnium Cargo

30

Bikepacking Videos

Alone in Kyrgyzstan

1

Bikepacking Videos

Bikepacking to the Silk Road Mountain Race: Bishkek to Osh

378

ROUTE

Tian Shan Traverse, Kyrgyzstan

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.