Silk Road Mountain Race 2025

1,468km
Distance: 22,789m
Elevation

When I kept reading in so many places that the Silk Road Mountain Race is the toughest MTB race in the world, I took it more as marketing hype than reality. Only once I got there did I have to bow down to that claim and admit it’s true. I found myself in so many brutal situations that it was downright uncomfortable. I got exactly what I’d been asking for.

#Bikepacking

A sunset bathes an airport tarmac in warm orange and pale blue hues. The bright orange sun, low on the horizon, is visible behind a distant line of trees on the left. In the middle ground, a white passenger airplane with "flypgs.com" on its fuselage and a yellow tailfin is parked, facing right. Two tall, white and red striped light poles stand on either side of the airplane. In the foreground on the far right, part of a luggage cart piled high with baggage is visible. The tarmac itself is dark with white painted lines.

We coudn’t care less

Every adventure has a beginning, often a pretty innocent one. This one basically kicked off by accident. What pushed me to ride all three Mountain Race events, and why is the Silk Road the hardest of them all? How did our Czech crew roll into Osh with absolutely nothing—seriously, nothing—sorted out? Read more

Four bikepackers stand on a gravel road in a vast, arid mountain landscape under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. The two closest cyclists are on the left, one with a yellow shirt and a bicycle laden with gear, and the other facing away. To their right, two other individuals, possibly a parent and child, are also next to bikes. The road stretches into the distance, flanked by golden-brown, rolling hills on the left and a flatter, greener valley with a stream on the right. In the background, majestic, rugged mountains with shades of grey, brown, and some snow-capped peaks rise dramatically.

Acclimatization Ride

Even though we were pretty laid-back about it, we still wanted to acclimatize and sneak in a bit of adventure before the race. Most of the time we only planned a day ahead, which ended up pushing us over one of the toughest passes ever featured in the Silk Road Mountain Race—Jiptick Pass. At 4,180 meters, a number I now know by heart, nothing higher was waiting for us on the course. Read more

A group of cyclists rides along a paved road under a cloudy sky. In the foreground, several cyclists are seen from behind, wearing helmets and carrying backpacks, with gear attached to their bikes. In the midground, a white SUV with people sitting on its roof drives alongside the cyclists. In the distance, the road curves slightly, with green trees and bushes lining the left side and arid mountains visible on the right. Another vehicle with flashing lights can be seen further down the road.

Day #1 How I Was Asking For It

Probably the toughest race start I’ve ever had. Normally I’d get thrown off by the smallest thing, but this time I kept a cool head and managed to handle the situation without too many hiccups. I’m glad I’ve got enough experience behind me to pull myself together. And at the same time, I gained new lessons I’ll definitely make use of again one day. Read more

A gravel road leads through a narrow mountain valley. On the left, a sun-drenched mountain slope rises steeply, revealing layers of rock and sparse vegetation. On the right, another mountain slope, mostly in shadow, also shows rocky textures and scattered plants. In the distance, the valley narrows further, with the mountains meeting at a dark point, suggesting a deep ravine. The sky above is clear and light blue.

Day #2 How I Caught the Snail

I woke up hopelessly last, but I knew that would change. Sooner or later. The Silk Road Mountain Race is a long race, and I’d have plenty of time to catch a few cyclists. But first, I had to find a place in Osh to get new handlebars, and that was no easy task. Read more

This image shows a white yurt, marked "CP1" and "Silk Road Mountain Race," serving as a checkpoint in a dry, mountainous landscape. Several bikepacking bikes with gear are scattered on the gravel ground around the yurt. In the background, a white SUV is parked, and two horses graze on a distant hill under a partly cloudy sky.

Day #3 When It Rained Rocks

On day three, I finally met some racers. Unfortunately, the speedsters had already cleaned out the best supplies from the shops, so it was hard to find anything decent. Even after ten days of acclimatization, I kept running into something new. A stone rain, for example, was definitely not on my bingo card. Read more

Two bikepackers ride a wide, rocky dirt road through a dry, mountainous landscape. Sparse vegetation covers the hills flanking the road, with distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. One cyclist wears a red backpack; the other rides ahead farther down the road.

Day #4 How I Crossed the Pamir Highway

100 kilometers downhill and on a highway—that doesn’t sound like the route of the toughest MTB race, does it? I’ll admit it rolled relatively fast, but with a headwind in my face I couldn’t stop pedaling. The Pamir Highway was no highway; sometimes the asphalt was missing and now and then a flock of sheep blocked my way. At least in the evening I got very lucky with accommodation… Read more

A winding dirt bikepacking route cuts through arid, rolling hills at sunset. A tilted wooden utility pole with wires stands near the path. Distant mountains rise under a sky fading from warm orange at the horizon to soft blue above, with sparse vegetation covering the dry, rocky terrain.

Day #5 How I Walked

What’s it like to walk 30 kilometers with a bike? Extremely demanding! Especially when you have to haul that loaded machine up absurdly steep slopes, ford a river over and over, and it generally just gets in the way. At times I felt my life was at risk. How did I handle it? Read more

A sunlit, open valley with golden-brown grass stretches toward distant rocky mountains under a clear blue sky with faint clouds. Scattered small white and brown structures (likely yurts or cabins) dot the plain. Late-afternoon light casts long shadows across the terrain, which mixes sparse green patches and rocky ground. The vast, remote landscape—ideal for bikepacking—feels quiet and expansive, with no visible trails but open space for travel.

Day #6 How I became a sailboat

What if? Sometimes I ask myself this question during races when I curse my own mistakes. I’m only human, but what kind of human would sleep on a sharp stone? And at that moment I had no idea how many problems it would bring me. Read more

A paved road stretches through a rugged mountain valley under a clear blue sky. On the right, a tall sign with red Cyrillic text (“НАРЫН МАШАН”) marks the location, set against steep, rocky brown hills. Sparse vegetation lines the gravel shoulder, with utility poles and a distant vehicle visible. The scene captures a remote, scenic route typical of bikepacking trips.

Day #7 How I ate a meatless pizza with salami

The seventh day was crucial for the rest of the Silk Road. I was passing through the biggest city on the route—Naryn, where I had to buy food for the next 450 kilometers. Half the streets were dug up and finding any food without meat was a superhuman task. Read more

"Early morning bikepacking scene: a dirt path cuts through a vast, grassy plain with grazing cows. Distant mountains rise under a clear sky, while the low sun casts a warm glow over the landscape. Rocks line the path, and hazy peaks fade into the horizon, capturing the serene remoteness of the route."

Day #8 How I almost froze

It didn’t feel like I’d already been riding for eight days. Physically I wasn’t doing badly, but when my sleeping pad failed me for the second time, it broke me mentally. Through the freezing mist I couldn’t see a bright tomorrow. I had no idea whether I’d sleep the next night on something soft and warm, or on the hard, cold ground. Read more

A dirt road curves through a rocky mountain valley under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. A large yellow sign with a downward arrow and text marks the route on the left; a triangular warning sign appears on the right. Barren, steep mountains and distant snow-capped peaks frame the path, typical of a remote bikepacking trail.

Day #9 How I ate the fateful borscht

Do you like bathing? How about in the middle of the wilderness, where there’s no signal, and in an icy river with a strong current? I made several mistakes there, but fortunately I only paid for them with unpleasant sensations. The dream of finishing in the top twenty was within reach, but at the checkpoint I got into serious trouble. Read more