Snail Approaching Finish Line

Pair Finishers and a Bee Outfit!

The Women's Podium

Race to the Finish!

I’ll race ya ! 

Three legged race

Stick or Twist

Hot roads and Headwinds

The caravan rumbles on

The first 24 hours

As the finishers get ready to depart they will be haunted by the beautiful landscape, the howling wind, washboards, and warm hospitality of this harsh landscape. We're up to two weeks of racing in this beautiful country and  a handful few still pedaling through who Nelson is going to be happy to see them come through eventually. Though the snail might have gone past them, their sheer determination and perseverance is what makes this race undoubtedly one incredible bikepacking race in the world to be a part of and also dotwatch.

Over the past few days we saw __Allan Shaw__ (cap 9) finished the route on a cargo bike. His attempt at the Hellenic Mountain Race didn’t go as planned, Silk Road almost seemed a miss too with his fall and proceeding detour to Bishkek. Having gotten the necessary medical attention he rejoined the route and finished in 12d 14h 30m making him the first and only person to attempt and finish the Silk Road on a cargo bike. An incredible feat and stay peeled as I’m sure he’s bound to turn up to another race start with people questioning his choice in bike, only to be shown how it's done. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has inspired a few others to take on the challenge. 

<https://youtu.be/pbJEOYR8emw>

Video Credit: Quinda Veheul

We had __Michael Gaffey__ (cap 72) finish the route and he must have been buzzing! (pun intended). Having attemped all three of Nelson’s races, he’s got the Hellenic Mounstain Race to finish off the trifecta. 

![Michael gaffes finish at SRMR 2023](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5yxRhc16IVjcTpPcUNHwWi/c14364eec81359ca9d971badaf8415a5/IMG_7754.jpg)
Credit: Michael Gaffey

The indonesian pair of __Hendra Wijaya__ (cap 214A) and __Patricia Lo__ (cap 214B) are to shortly arrive at the finish line to hopefully be greeted by food and the finisher's party. Followed by pair __Aleksandr Antipov__ (cap 202A) and __Maxim Lapchuk__ (cap 202B), __Marc Antoine Colonna__ (cap 64) and our lanterne rouge __Karen Wykurz__ (cap 54).

![Chilean Ata finish SRMR](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6bpFb4S6AsSeAFF0qKowvo/1dcf46b7fcfb49b2df146bb14a83cab4/Unknown.jpeg)
Credit: Rebecca Waters


11 days have passed since the start of the race and 32 finisher have arrived safely in Cholpan-Ata.

The pair category had its finishers come in today with __Max Sotnikov__ and __Vlad Alyokhin__ (caps 216A and 216B) taking the first pair to come in a time of 10d 7h 54m 30s. __Diara Tuna__ and __Pascal Tay__ (caps 218 and 218B) coming in next. There hasn’t been much gap between the two and they have been watch as Pascal and Diara managed to catch up with Max and Vlad. Crucially it could have been that Max and Vlad left earlier in the morning at CP3 and that might have just made the difference.

![Pascal and Diara vs. Max and Vlad](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3fMKeH6bjtF7Pg5kUk4OB3/5e00c69bf0e9be35e63be857955df4a9/Screenshot_2023-08-22_at_20.44.13.png)

A lot of movement off the route today in the field as the days on the bike start to take its toll on the riders. Our lantern rouge shifted hands as __Doug Dunlop__ (cap 31) scratched at Baetov and the city claims this year’s last scratch. The lantern rouge passing onto __Burak Akin__ (cap 21) as he carries on with the snail close behind him. He seems to be in good spirit and here’s to him keeping that up. The snail is going to pick up pace after CP3 as the cut off time between checkpoint 3 and the finish is only 24 hours.

![Burak Akin story](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/72wNcj97fd4aowyIvrQ9Mi/09fbd7b08b3861f3e6df56923b4d4fac/IMG_7742.jpg)

Kazarman claimed another scratch today as __Yuriy Zaveryukha__ (cap 115) stopped his ride there.

__Allan Shaw’s__ (cap 9) dot headed over to Bishkek  - to get himself checked up after having had a fall. He plans to carry onwards as there is plenty of time for him to finish the route before Sunday night.

Having previously volunteered at the Silk Road Mountain Race __Karen Wykurz__ (cap 54) is still going strong and keeping ahead of the ever approaching snail. 

__Niel Copeland__ (cap 82) seems to have stopped just off course in Shabdan at what seems to be a guesthouse. His live stream video updates are quite the thing to follow along to get a sense of his progress and couldn’t agree more that Son Kul is a beautiful place to camp overnight and cycle as the sun rises up over the mountains and the lake. 

__Nick Percival__ (cap 80) is back again at the SRMR and having scratched in 2021 and seems like he would be glad to ride into the finish line soon. 

__Michael Gaffey__ (cap 72)  buzzes his way along the route with his bee outfit and is currently stopped just before the climb up to Kegeti. I bet he’s had a got a good laugh with people’s reaction to his antaennae and yellow jersey.

![Michael gaffes bee outfit](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/28HMV2iCRK37abLK1xRgMW/fde9d3099f8bf9a5078d58265321f2ab/IMG_7744.jpg)

__Patrick Fryer__ (cap 85) headed back to Kochkor as he suffered from neck pain and scratched at the city. As Michael and Patrick crossed paths, Michale provided some local info on Kochkor. 

![message from Patrick](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3Zf8O67j03fDZXq0l46kk2/e90ad8314e39dfbbc42c05e56af3cd2f/IMG_7745.jpg)

Looking forward to more stories that come through over the next couple of days!

A finish worth remembering as Nathalie (cap 77) and Peggy (cap 68) rode together to the finish line to claim the joint first spot with a time of 8 days 16 hours and 18 minutes. Followed by Jelena Helmreich (cap 47) who finished the course in 9 days 8 hours and 54 minutes to round up the women's top 3. 

An incredible show of sportsmanship as both Nathalie and Peggy fought for the top spot for the majority of the race. As reported on the Silk Road Mountain Race instagram account, both Nathalie and Peggy overslept in the Chong Kemin valley. Peggy caught up with Nathalie who seemed to have a “badly damaged derailleur”. Not to win on an opponent who had a mechanical, Peggy offered to share the first place and rode the tarmac section together to the finish line. 

![Peggy and Nathalie at SRMR 2023 finish](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/44pa8w7mEFBf3t26uAZtxL/04326ca4ebf44e00c9fa35f5ea5db22e/IMG_7738.JPEG)
credit: <https://www.instagram.com/peggy.marvanova/>

As the finishers list continues to grow (currently at 20), there are plenty of riders out on the exposed landscape, valleys with varying micro-climates, washboards and extremely hot tarmac roads as they try to battle out the last few days. Finding the energy and motivation to stay the course, cover the miles each day, pedal stroke at a time and hoping to make it to the finish line. It really is tough out there and it takes all the energy to push yourself through. A massive kudos to all those currently making their way along the shores of Son Kul leaving the comfort of the checkpoint, up the southern scree slopes of Kegeti, and Kok-Ayrik and into the growing welcoming party at Cholpan Ata. 

Special mention for Doug Dunlop (cap 31) as he currently claims the lanterne rouge and chases the snail down. 


This year’s edition of the Silk Road Mountain Race has been nail-bitingly close for the leaders. With _Justinas Leveika_, _Sofiane Sehili_ and _Jakub Siliacan_ swapping places throughout the 1,879kms of Nelson’s GPX track around Kyrgyzstan.

As Jakub chased Sofiane up Kegeti and only a few kilometres between them it was going to be question of who would stop first and for how long? According to their trackers they both seemed to stop just past Kegety town and with a number of villages dotted along the road - its a good place to rest before approaching Kok-Ayrik, which has become quite a decisive climb. Jakub rested longer and that might have just been in favour of Sofiane as he extended his lead and rode to the finish line in 6 days 16 hours and 47 minutes. The quickest he’s completed the race (although it is noted that previous courses have had more elevation gain). Jakub rode in to the finish line 3 hours and 14 minutes after Sofiane to claim second place. Not far behind, Justinas was about to ascend Kok-Ayrik and went on to claim a well deserved third place in 7 days and 50 minutes. 

<https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwIM6OBs3Sr/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==>

At the time of writing 11 riders have finished. 

10th place had been closly contested between _Vlad Podofedov_ and _Max Riese_ since CP2 where Vlad had began his chase of Max and arrived before at CP3. Max had been coughing up blood yet he powered through and had regained the lead after Kegeti, but only just. As Max rested at the base of Kok-Ayrik, Vlad trudged on through the night to summit the pass and close up the top 10 finishers in a time of 8 days 47 minutes and 36 seconds. 

![Max Riese - Kok-Ayrik](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5x7dYGZiyHw5r6yxoscNZK/7240df8211326d6910a4cea73f43d6a7/unnamed-3.jpg)
*@kleinerriese on Instagram*

The gap between the first 10 finishers this year has been the closest it’s ever been. A testament to the field of racers this year.

The women’s race is ongoing as _Nathalie Baillon_ is currently leading 
_Marketa “Peggy” Maranova_ by a couple of kilometers as they approach the decisive climb up Kok-Ayrik. Both having had roughly the same time to rest in the last 30 hours. Nathalie had also visited a doctor earlier, and left with medications and apples - here’s hoping they are magical healing apples. 

It would be interesting to see how both riders approach the last climb, as they each have their own ultra racing backgrounds to fall back on at this last hurdle.

![CP3 Silk Road Mountain Race 2023](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/20xqSLhxGu07eAjhDorDU6/7864e9cae9ed500f0db2dd7ef2b5b94c/unnamed.jpg)

CP3 is still yet to receive the other half of the racers so it’s going to be an interesting few days for dotwatchers including the checkpoint volunteers who are eagerly waiting to welcome the riders who have been on the road for longer with warm hospitality and food. CP3 will also shortly be welcoming it’s first cargo bike as _Allan Shaw_ crosses Moldo Ashuu pass.

![Allan Shaw approaching CP3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1OSYboZjygnqU7mdU8xRpv/8dc03201740a3073e8526d052660bef3/unnamed-2.jpg)

In the Pairs category, _:Max Sotnikov:_ and _Vlad Alyokin_ lead with _Pascal Tay_ and _:Dilara Tuna:_ chasing them as they approach Kegeti pass. The third pair of _Sarah Olson_ and and _Dylan Taylor_ are about to approach CP3. 

More stories to follow of the mid-pack as they cross CP3. 

As darkness falls once again on another dramatic day of racing it looks as though Justinas has possibly taken a break whilst Jakub has closed the gap on Sofiane. Both veterans and past winners of the race, they will be familiar with the challenge that lies ahead tonight. Only 2km currently separates them as they climb Kegeti pass. In the eerie silence of the cold dark mountains they will be able to see the shaking beams of each others front lights and hear the tinkling shale falls as they struggle to find firm footing on the climb. The "path" is hard to spot in the daytime but near impossible at night. . . F5 . . . F5

There are just over 250kms now to the finish for the lead trio of Sofiane, Jakub and Justinas as the battle for the hat heats up. The 435kms from Check point 3 at Son Kul to the finish line though are far from straightforward. There are two massive passes to negotiate; first Kegeti, a staple in previous editions , and then Kok-Ayr ik at 3890m. These are huge climbs on rough roads scarred by recent landslides and on tired legs and battered bikes this may well be the deciding obstacle for the elite group out front. There are only 30kms or so between these riders and it will be fascinating to see who has timed their run into the finish the best. At the Check Point in Kel Suu, Justinas came in an hour ahead of Sofiane with Adrien and Jakub not far behind. They all decided to rest at the yurt camp while Justinas pushed on into the night. He ended up having to camp out in the cold and was caught in the morning. According to the race comms Justinas is struggling with his breathing and coughing a lot whilst the other two seem well rested and are riding fast. 

The race between Peggy and Nathalie also shows no sign of relenting. The two Czech riders have been neck and neck now for over 1200km, trading turns out front. I’m sure they’re probably meeting in the noodle aisle of every little shop in every little one-horse town. Jelena Helmreich, much like Jakub in the men’s race is also surging through the pack hot on their heels. It will be interesting to see if she can close the 40km gap over the pass to Kazarman to make it three up front. 

Keep refreshing the dots !



It is getting close to midnight in Kyrgyzstan as I type, and the end of race day four. Amazingly, Justinas, the lead rider has now rode over 1100 kilometres of this challenging and mountainous parcours. Sofiane, just half an hour or so behind, looks like he has stopped to pick up supplies and get some food onboard in the town of Baetov. From this town, the last resupply opportunity for 150 kilometres, the race heads to a remote valley not featured in previous editions. It will be unfamiliar ground to the lead riders, many of whom are veterans of the race. It may perhaps provide a more equal footing for a few of the rookies to make their move. With cold weather and snowstorms forecast above 3000m tonight, this next sector could be extremely tough and pivotal as the race reaches its final third. 

In the women's race, Nathalie Baillon has finally created some light between her and Peggy on the dot map, setting off into the cold night up at the Kel Suu yurt camp and hunting down a top 10 place. With a warm bed on offer and an unlimited supply of hot calories at the checkpoint it is very difficult and sometimes unwise to set off into a nighttime blizzard. Who will stick and who will twist? Whether to leave the warming glow of camaraderie to go and play hike-a-bike in minus 7 is a decision I’m certainly glad I don’t have to make tonight. . . 


It's 9am UK time, 2pm in Kyrgyzstan. I’ve just clocked in, logged on and the dot watcher tabs are open. I do love having two screens and a computer that the rest of the office can’t see . . . especially with races that are this close ! Whilst I’m sipping coffee and zooming in on dots, riders out there will be facing the hottest part of the day on the exposed southern roads close to the Chinese border. Sofiane and Justinas who have been trading turns up front throughout the morning will likely be tucked in on their aero bars and trying their best to keep cool and hydrated. The line of pursuers stretches down the A365, a busy trucking and commerce corridor from the Chinese border at Torugart Pass. From the dots it no longer seems like a group of chasers and a lead duo but more a long line, a steady stream of top riders separated by just a few kilometres. After big headwinds and mountainous trails yesterday the respite of smooth tarmac appears to be bringing the race back into contention for a lot of riders that are perhaps beginning to find their legs. If yesterday’s journey over Arabel had romantic notions of the ancient silk road, today is very much about its modern-day trade equivalent of tarmacked highways and Chinese HGVs, it may perhaps suit a different type of rider which could cause a shuffling of the leaderboard once again.

 … I best get back to work.


The Silk Road caravan is well on its way, rumbling through the mountainous trails powered by peach teas, big doughy discs of boorsok and plenty of 3-in-1 coffee tabs and super noodles.  Many riders are now through checkpoint 1 and making their way through the remote plateau after Jukuu Pass. The path through the Arabel plateau is thin and difficult to follow at night and in snow, there are tricky river crossings to navigate and technical trails that sap the energy out of even the most confident riders. Temperatures can quickly plummet below freezing and a few wrong steps negotiating the many tributaries of glacial meltwater can be a serious danger. The Arabel Plateau, though, is also one of the most spectacular vistas that these intrepid explorers will pick their way through. Miles from resupply and vehicle access, riders will have had to plan accordingly. Each will have their own tale up there. We wish them well.

At the pointy end of the race, Justinas and Sofiane have been joined by Adrien Liechti and Jakub Sliacan. Those that follow the race regularly will recognise Jakub as he won the 2019 edition. Back 4 years later, he seems to be taking a more steady and sustained approach to the first few days and now moving through the pack at an alarming rate. At the time of writing it looks like Sofiane, Adrien and Jakub are currently all taking shelter at checkpoint 2 - no doubt sharing a big cauldron of borsch. Justinas has set off on the path back down from the yurt camp and will have passed his pursuers. He will know they are hot on his heels.

Nathalie and Peggy continue their duel for the women's Chalpan. Amazingly they have rarely been more than just a few kilometres apart since they started. Quinda Verheul and Jelena Helmreich are not too far back though and like the lead men, this could develop into a four-way race over the course of the night. Nathalie and Peggy are now on the other side of Jukuu pass however and descending off the plateau. They are about 40k from a well earned meal in Naryn and perhaps a date in one of the only pizza shops east of Bishkek. I assume there’ll be a few dusty bikes outside that restaurant over the next few day. From a zoom in on the dots – James Hayden’s already found it, he’s probably asked ‘for the usual’ given his experience with this race. 

Whilst I’m quickly summarising the race at the front, let’s not forget everyone else out there going through it. A million different miniature tales will happen out there on the plateau tonight under a carpet of stars they will be seeing for the first time. The ride over Arabel in the night was potentially one of the most moving experiences of my life – if you can forgive the shameless plug and fancy a read of just one of those tales from a mid-pack grinder, feel free to check out the write-up of my experiences with this beautiful race ( https://cm-th.uk/stories/rocknroll ) .


The riders of the Silk Road Mountain Race have now been on the move for over 24 hours after starting in the eastern city of Karakol at 9am local time. After a neutralised 23km roll out under police escort, the climbing instantly began as riders made their way from the tranquil shores of Lake Issy-Kul up to the first of several large mountain passes over 3000m. With 2700m of elevation gain in the first 220km this would have been quite the shock for those with travel plans and annual leave days that didn’t allow for altitude conditioning. Unphased by the parcours, Sebastian Breuer, former European MTB Marathon champion, reached the top of the pass in 9 and a half hours. For most of the first day, Seb continued to lead, closely followed by relative newcomer to the scene Artis Žugs. Artis has raced MTB in Latvia for many years, making a habit of hard racing and podiums. Back in 2015 Artis climbed Mount Kazbeck (5054m) in Georgia with his bike on his back and symbolically rode the last 10m to the summit. He is clearly familiar with the demands that SRMR requires of riders and last night reported that there was a snow storm at 3800m elevation that slowed the progress of the leaders. This may perhaps explain why Tour Divide veterans Sofiane and Justinas closed the gap throughout the night and seemingly appear to be building up their own slim lead going into the second day. The top 15 are all setting a blistering pace and it will be fascinating to see how sleep strategies, resting and refueling play their respective parts in reshuffling the leaderboard on day 2.

Only a few kms behind this lead pack, in 17th and 18th respectively out on the road, Nathalie Baillon and Markéta Marvanová are neck and neck after 400 kilometre’s in the race for the womens ‘chalpan’ (the traditional Kyrgyz hat the winner receives) . Both of these riders have a wealth of experience in off-road ultra racing and are clearly very evenly matched. Again, it will be interesting to see how their sleep strategies differ and if any daylight will open up between them on the dot map. 

Settle in for a thrilling race. This one’s going to be good !
Josh.


Josh Murphy

Usman Omar

Silk Road Mountain Race 2023 Tracking + Commentary: Kyrgystan offers one of the wildest and most inhospitable environments for a bikepacking race with its often harsh and unpredictable mountain weather, contrasted with the warmth of the local hospitality. The Silk Road truly is one of the pearls of the mountain bikepacking calendar.

Silk Road Mountain Race 2023 Tracking

Kyrgystan offers one of the wildest and most inhospitable environments for a bikepacking race with its often harsh and unpredictable mountain weather, contrasted with the warmth of the local hospitality. The Silk Road truly is one of the pearls of the mountain bikepacking calendar.

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Silk Road Mountain Race 2023

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