Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
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2024 Silk Road Mountain Bike Race: Mid-Race Update
Riders of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race are over six days into the 1,938-kilometer route, and the fastest riders should be finishing any time now. Event photographer Stephen Shelesky has been working tirelessly to capture all the action and put together a mid-race update complete with a stunning selection of photos from the race so far…
PUBLISHED Aug 23, 2024
Words and photos by Stephen Shelesky
On day seven, we are now officially crossing the halfway mark of the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR). The finish line is in sight for the front of the race, but much of the midpack is just now clearing Checkpoint 2. SRMR has been living up to its reputation, challenging riders and causing some to end their races early while pushing others to their absolute limit.
The First Few Days
Kegeti Pass
With the start line in Bishkek, this edition of the race brought Kegeti Pass back to the beginning, setting the tone for the rest of the route. Fog, rain, and hail made for a proper mountain weather experience, slowing the pace for much of the midpack and preventing some from crossing the pass on day one. Next, riders traveled through the lush Karakol Valley in persistent rain that lasted from sun up to sun down. For just day two, this was a real test of perseverance for many riders with some questioning their kit choices. After all, SRMR is largely about surviving in the mountains, and proper preparation is key.
CP1 (Son Kul)
From there, riders traveled up to CP1 and Son Kul lake to collect their first brevet card stamp. This high alpine lake looks like something of another planet, it’s incredibly quiet and peaceful, but it’s elevation also makes it quite cold. Many took the opportunity to sleep in the yurt camp, but some just had a quick meal before descending the beautiful Moldo-Ashuu Pass. Undoubtably one of the most picturesque roads on the route. Screams and shouts were heard as riders enjoyed their well-earned reward before reaching the desert.
Kazarman to Baetov
Entering one of the hottest and driest sections of the route, the Kazarman loop, riders endured miles on miles of dusty washboard. This part was testing for much of the midpack with mechanicals, sickness, extreme heat, and saddle sores being the biggest adversities. Once in Baetov, riders took a moment to collect themselves, eat a warm meal, wash bibs, and remedy punctured tires before before leaving the desert for the alpine and ascending MELS Pass to higher ground. This is a beautiful transition zone, where the lush green mountain scape directly contrasts the brown desert just below.
The Chinese Border and the Blue Caravan
At the Chinese Border, riders approacjed one of the most infamous sections of the race. In this high-elevation zone, weather changes fast, and with days on the road adding up, things can begin to unravel. Energy in the midpack remains high and camaraderie was on full display at the Blue Caravan resupply at the border last night. This stop has become a SRMR classic. On the edge of the Chinese border road it’s the final chance for a warm meal and a cold Coke before pressing towards Kel Suu. We heard it described as a dream and an oasis after many miles of rain, and it was certainly an appreciated break for riders.
Last night, it was also shelter for many, the gracious hosts even went as far to clear their table and offer the area for riders to lay their sleeping bags. Kyrgyzstan is known for it’s hospitality and this was no exception. Stories from the road were shared before a short sleep as riders left throughout the early morning hours for CP2.
CP2 (Kel Suu)
At the Kel Suu yurt camp riders revel in their accomplishment thus far, collecting a second brevet card stamp and expressing gratitude that the long border road is now in the past. However, one of the most classic SRMR challenges is looming, the Old Soviet Road. After all, leaving CP2 will be no easy task. This afternoon I heard, “this is the worst day of my life,” at the top of the hike-a-bike, but once he turned around, it was evident that surely that couldn’t be true.
Check out the 2024 Silk Road Mountain Race Tracker page for updates and to follow along on the live tracking map, and stay tuned in for more event coverage. Find it here.Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.
