Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Silk Route Race/Expedition?
The Silk Route Race/Expedition will be unlike anything you’ve ever done before, unlike anything anyone has done before. As part of the first modern self-powered Silk Road caravan, you and your companions will bike 10,773kms, through eight countries, in 110 days; a journey that took the merchants, soldiers and adventurers of the past many uncomfortable months - if they made it at all!
But be forewarned! This Race/Expedition is a genuine physical and mental challenge. This is not an event within a controlled environment; it is a pioneering expedition where participants will not only test their physical and mental stamina, but their ability to overcome the unexpected surprises that inevitably await us. The organizers have created the framework and support systems, which will sustain the group, but the ultimate responsibility for this endeavor lies with you.
As a Racer, you have the opportunity to arrive in Beijing as the first champion of this epic stage race.
Can I just join for part of the Race/Expedition?
Yes, of course. The Silk Route is broken into seven sections varying in length from two to three weeks. You can also choose to start and end anywhere along the route that you wish. If there is a specific area you would like to cycle through or specific dates you have available between August 4 and November 18 then please contact our office and we will help you make it work.
Is it a race or an expedition?
The Silk Route is both a competitive cycling race attracting talented athletes and an expedition for individuals who would simply like to cycle the daily distance. Whatever your goal, we like to think of it simply as a personal challenge. All of us challenge ourselves in different ways. Some measure themselves against others, some against our personal best, some simply want to do something that has never been done before, and some want to contribute to the world, to make a better place for the next generation. We believe there is a room for all of you in this event.
How do you define an Expedition?
We run pioneering cycling Tours in areas that often do not have the infrastructure and standard of living that you may be used to. Furthermore, many of these areas do not adhere to the same safety standards that many of us are accustomed to. The Tours often travel through areas where there may be political or economic instability and there may be some risks involved. Do not join one of our Tours unless you are prepared to accept these risks.
Please also be aware that, due to logistical reasons all dates are tentative and subject to change by +/- 7 to 10 days. Exact dates will be announced two to three months before the planned start date.
What kind of training should I undertake?
You should be in good physical shape and have the ability to consistently bike more than 100 km per day. Contact our office for specific training tips.
What type of weather and terrain should I expect?
Prepare for anything – snow, rain, heat, cold, mountains, desert, bad roads, busy roads and strong winds. We will likely see many of these conditions on the Tour.
Do you supply maps of the daily route?
No, the Silk Route Race/Expedition is a ‘self-guided tour with support’. Directions will be given each morning, but the riders are expected to be independent and responsible for their own well being. The Tour is set up in a way that provides reasonable support and safety. This includes a midday check point and the retrieval of all riders one hour before darkness.
It is also highly recommended that you bring with you regional maps of Turkey, and Eastern China especially as we travel through fairly urban areas in both these countries. Directions are fairly straightforward for much of the other areas of the Tour.
What is the typical day like?
A typical riding day will begin at 7:30 AM. By then, you will have packed your tent and gear, had your breakfast and loaded your water bottles ready for the start signal. Soon enough the bikers break into several groups. The first group is the serious racers aiming at winning the stage. The second group will be less interested in winning but very serious about keeping their EFI status. The rest of the riders are going at a comfortable pace hoping not to miss any adventure offered on the day, be it a good kebab stand or, a shop offering teas and local delicacies.
Just past the halfway mark of most riding days (a riding day varies in length anywhere from 80 km on really bad terrain to over 180km on good paved roads) the lunch truck will be awaiting your arrival with a sandwich, energy bar and drinks and some words of encouragement. After lunch you are on your way to the campsite where a warm soup will be awaiting you. After the soup and, if you are lucky, a cold coke, it is time to put up your tent, clean up (assuming there is water) and get ready for dinner and next day of riding. Of course - depending on how fast you cycle - you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the campsite, the surrounding town or village or nearby lakes and mountains.
How is the Race designed?
The Race features approximately 88 cycling days, averaging 111 km (69 miles) each, broken up by 21 rest days and a day of travel across the Caspian Sea for a total of 110 days. The Race is also broken into seven sections. The overall winner for both males and females are the individuals with the fastest accumulated times. Race results will be updated constantly during the race on our website.
Who organizes the Silk Route Race/Expedition?
The staff at the Tour d’Afrique Ltd. are avid cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, humanitarians, and adventurers. We are involved in creating these tours because we think there is nothing else like them in the world right now, and we are very proud of the unique tours we produce.
How is the Silk Route different from Tour d’Afrique and the Orient Express?
The Orient Express is done at a much more relaxed pace, with more rest days (generally every fourth day), and covering less distance each riding day (averaging 95 km per day). It is travels through more urban areas than the Silk Route, and presents riders with more navigational challenges.
The Tour d’Afrique is similar in terms of daily distances (averaging 125 km per day), and the regularity of rest days (generally every fifth or sixth day). The Tour d’Afrique is 95% camping, where Silk Route will have more hotels and indoors accommodations. The extremes (hot, cold, altitude, terrain) will be potentially greater on the Silk Route. In addition to what is required on Tour d’Afrique, you will need to bring cold weather clothing, a 3-season sleeping bag, smog mask (optional), and a set of basic front and rear lights.
What countries does the Tour pass through?
- Turkey
- Georgia
- Azerbaijan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- China
How much does it cost?
The full Tour costs 8,150 Euros plus a local payment of US $1000.
What other expenses will I likely have before and during the Tour?
- Flight
- Equipment
- Vaccinations
- Visas
- Upgrades to hotels along the route (optional)
- Souvenirs (optional)
- Food on rest days as well as on the nights coming into a rest day
- Gratuities for field staff (optional)
Is it safe to travel by bicycle through all these countries?
We think so. We constantly monitor the current political climate in the countries the Tour will be passing through. We also conduct scouting missions to get first hand insight into situations in these countries. We then make educated assessments of relative safety, and make adjustments if necessary - before or during the tour. If we feel that, while en route, a certain area or country has become unstable we will change the route at short notice.
Based on our combined international experience we are confident that there will be no serious safety issues, but as with all travel to unfamiliar territory the possibility of danger exists and it is important to respect the local culture and people and observe the law. Your greatest hazard is, in fact, the motorized vehicles, as it is for cyclists everywhere, so appropriate safety/visibility gear is essential.
Do I need visas?
Yes, depending on your nationality you will need visas for most of the countries we pass through. Some of these may need to be arranged before the start of the Tour, whereas some can be obtained at the point of entry. Please check with the nearest consulate or embassy for your country for specific requirements. Additional information on visa requirements will be available in the Registration and Information Kit sent to registered riders.
Do I need travel medical insurance?
Yes, travel medical insurance is required and we will need copies of these documents before the start of the tour. No one will be allowed on the Tour without proof of travel medical insurance. This will ensure smooth processing in case of emergency. You should also consider getting trip cancellation insurance as well, in the event that you have to leave the tour unexpectedly. Further information on insurance can be found in the registration kit.
What kind of bike should I bring?
There is no one style of bike that is perfectly suited to the Silk Route, but there are many that will do the job well. A front suspension mountain bike has proved to be the most reliable and versatile bike for the Tour d’Afrique and on the Silk Route you can expect similar variety of terrain, though much of the tour is on paved roads. Frames should ideally be steel, but aluminum or titanium frames are also fine. Carbon may not be durable enough, and not repairable if broken. Aluminum is light, stiff and fast. A steel frame will be heavier but more comfortable because it is inherently more flexible.
How do I transport my bicycle to the starting point and back home after the tour?
Most airlines are now charging a fee for bringing your bicycle along on international flights. This fee could be upwards of US $50. Most bike stores will be able to help you package your bike in a cardboard box for the flight. NO BICYCLE CASES ARE ALLOWED ON THE TOUR. There is no space on the support vehicles to stores these, regardless of their size, or whether they are a soft or hard case.
For participants leaving the Tour before Beijing, we generally recycle the boxes of the other participants who are joining the Tour along the way. In Beijing, cardboard bike boxes will be made available for all participants at a small fee.
What about baggage?
Our support vehicles will carry everything that you don’t need for the day. While riding, you only have to carry some basic tools, a spare tube, water, and a snack. Everything else we take for you.
We ask that you use some common sense and consideration for the other participants when deciding what to bring on the Tour as space is quite limited on the support vehicles. Additional packing information will be available in the Registration and Information Kit sent to registered riders.
I want to ride the whole tour, but I have time constraints. Can I pay the full entry fee, but split the tour over two or three years, riding a section or two per year?
Yes, absolutely. This way, you have the satisfaction of doing the entire Silk Route, but in manageable sections each year.
Where do we sleep?
On the Silk Route we will be sleeping in a combination of camping and budget hotels. Camping will be at times in organized campgrounds, but often will be a bush camp alongside the route. These bush camps will likely not have any facilities for washing, and so water will be carefully rationed to riders on these days. The campgrounds will typically be on the outskirts of cities on our route. On rest days we are often camped in or near larger cities where water, tourist attractions and shops are more readily available.
What will we eat?
On biking days there are four meals a day. You will start with a breakfast of porridge, bread, jams, honey, fresh fruit when available, etc. Just past the halfway mark of most cycling days, there will be a lunch awaiting you with a sandwich, energy bars, energy drinks, and water. When you arrive to camp there will be warm soup, bread and other snacks. Supper is a hearty, nutritious meal usually pasta or rice based. No supper is served on the night coming into a rest day. Likewise, no food is served on the rest days – riders are expected to find their own food in local shops and markets.
For those with dietary restrictions you need not be concerned. We take all this into consideration when preparing your meals. You may go to sleep exhausted, but never hungry.
What about health?
Undoubtedly health is a major concern on an expedition of such length. You will need to check with your doctor or at a local travel medical clinic to determine what vaccinations they recommend for travel in the countries along our route. The most likely problems we will encounter will be sunburn, saddle sores, blisters, and diarrhea. Additional health information will be available in the Registration and Information Kit sent to registered riders.
Will I have time to enjoy some of the exotic places along the route?
Absolutely! The tour has been designed to allow free days in some of the most fascinating spots in the world. And since the average biking day will be five to seven hours, there will still be plenty of time to explore the local environment.