Pushing Boundaries in Kyrgyzstan

Challenging its riders to a 1900-kilometer journey, the Silk Road Mountain Race traces an annually-changing path through the wild mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Infamous for its unpredictable weather, long hike-a-bikes, and river crossings, it rewards the rider with rare solitude, jaw-dropping scenery, and a chance to journey inward.

Hammerhead ambassador Charlotte Inman — founder of Sisters in the Wild — has daydreamed for years about riding through Kyrgyzstan. Although intimidated by both the world of ultra-racing and the reputation of this race, Charlotte and her friend/bike partner, Neza, both wanted to reconnect with the spirit of adventure and personal challenge that led them into the world of bikepacking, brought them together as friends, and had planted the seeds of the women's bikepacking communities they have built with Sisters in the Wild. 

Alongside 180 other riders, they pushed off the start line and dispersed into the dusty dawn of the Bishkek suburbs. Before they knew it, the first challenging climb had arrived: the 3800-meter Kegeti pass, which loomed dark red on the Karoo CLIMBER view.  

From there, the pair rode side by side, finding their rhythm and assessing their different strengths and weaknesses - all while reveling in the out-of-this-world scenery. While their journey ended short at 1400 km on day 11, Charlotte is proud of the effort they gave, that she met the edges of her comfort zone and had given her fears a good test. 

"We stayed off the grid for days, and I was thankful for the battery life on the Karoo that kept us moving through remote paths and trails."