Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Silk Route 1200K (Uzbekistan), 18-22 Oct 2012

I'm headed off to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for the Silk Route 1200K this upcoming Sunday (ride starts 0800h local time (EDT +9h) on Thursday, 18 October). Though I leave Sunday afternoon, I won't arrive at the start until Tuesday afternoon. Central Asia is both far away and tough to get to, at least from Florida.

At present count, there are 34 folks riding from 11 different countries. I'm it from the U.S. My buddy Rob Gray from the U.K. will be riding this fixed, as will I. (72"; no flip-flop.)

The only Russian and Uzbek I know is greetings and please and thanks and "A beer, please." All the essentials.

The scenery looks to be some of the best on Earth. The roads look like total crap.

Some details on the ride, here: http://xt-uz.com/brevet_1200.

I ought to have cell service in UZ, which means Twitter updates (and photos!) on the ride here: https://twitter.com/OctopusCycling.

I'll put a short report up here when I'm back in the States.

-Paul

Awesome, can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one.

Hey, essentials? What about "how do you undo this" and "it just can't work, babe"?

Anyways, have fun! I'm super jealous, I've been eying that weird site for ages.

Awesome, can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one.+1
following the twitter

Sounds like a great adventure! Have fun.

Fabulous!

It's always good to know how to say "I speak very little.." in whatever language you don't know. So besides "Spasiba" and "Pazhalsta," here's about the only other Russian I still remember from my Masters racing trip to Ukraine in 91 or thereabouts:

"Yas trudom gavaryu pa Russki!" (I only speak a little Russian!)

Luis

Sweeeeeet... following.

WOW !!!
Following this thread.

I work out in this area, the roads are a nightmare, as are the local drivers, take great care!!

im actually flying out there on Monday.

updates?

I've driven the route from Tashkent-Samarkand, even Kojand many times. I think you will find the roads better than you expect. Uzbek Air flies from NY-London-Tashkent, United/Luftansa has the Frankfurt taskent route, (or at least they use to).

It's an amazing place. I lived in Almaty in '97-'98 and made quite a few trips into Uzbekistan. It's a gorgeous place and the weather should be good. It looks like most of your fellow riders are Russian speakers, and if you're out in the country, the locals will speak Uzbek rather than Russian.

Sounds incredible.

I see he dnf'ed. I now understand all the mountain bikes on PBP.

I see he dnf'ed. I now understand all the mountain bikes on PBP.

Don't know why you'd need a mtn bike for PBP. The roads are pretty darned good. Better than a lot of the roads here in the states.

you don't need a mtb on PBP. In fact, it's a handicap and they to start early and (IIRC) get extra time. It's just that if you look at the OP's pictures of the roads on this event, you'll see why the eastern Europeans use MTBs.

When you push the limits of your gear, you sometimes find them. Better luck next time, Paul? ;)

you don't need a mtb on PBP. In fact, it's a handicap and they to start early and (IIRC) get extra time. It's just that if you look at the OP's pictures of the roads on this event, you'll see why the eastern Europeans use MTBs.

K, I got you now. Last time I did PBP in 03, I don't remember even seeing a mtn bike.

Welcome back The Octopus ... how was the adventure?

I just got the latest copy of "American Randonneur" with Paul's article -- great storytelling and pics. :thumb:

I'm curious how a fatbike or an MTB dropbar conversion (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/828426-Show-Your-Vintage-MTB-Drop-Bar-Conversions) would fair on this type of surface...

I am thinking that a fatbike might be too much. Something with 40mm tires would probably be ok.

I just got the latest copy of "American Randonneur" with Paul's article -- great storytelling and pics. :thumb:


Yep - enjoyed it also. Good job.

I am thinking that a fatbike might be too much. Something with 40mm tires would probably be ok.

650B? :thumb: