Top 10 Bikepacking trails
Bikepacking is the combination of mountain biking and minimalist camping. It provides the freedom of multi-day backcountry mountain bike riding. It’s about exploring places less traveled, both near and far, via singletrack trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads, carrying only the essential gear. Ride, eat, sleep, repeat, enjoy!
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 walking, and at times there is great distances between resupply points.
The race starts with a ‘grand départ’ from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Riders will follow a 1700 kilometre fixed route that passes through three staffed control points. They will need to get a stamp in their brevet card at each, before finally heading to the finish line in Cholpon Ata, a beach resort on the north shore of lake Issyk-Kul, for a well deserved post-race beer or two. To earn a successful finish they will need to complete the course before the end of the after party.
All info from https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc.