The Kyrgyzstan Silk Road Mountain Race + Upcoming Local Events--Jay Petervary

Into the Unknown I haven't felt these kinds of nerves going into a race in a very long time. Maybe not ever. Backpacking.com published a Kyrgyzstan trip report and route a few years ago and since then beta has trickled in as people explore the country by bike, but there are still a lot of unknowns. I've never traveled in central Asia, I've never ridden through military checkpoints, I don't know what kind of food or resources will be available in the villages. It might be dangerous. I haven't ignored the recent deaths of a group of cyclists in Tajikistan--they were hit by a truck driven by ISIS members. But it's dangerous to ride through downtown LA and it's dangerous riding in grizzly country outside of Island Park. I'm not focusing on the negatives. I've heard it's incredibly beautiful country with very welcoming people but that can be a tough line to walk when you're racing--I want to appreciate their hospitality without losing time or offending them. I'm very happy that Tracey will be joining me for the Silk Road Mountain Race. She's riding the route with our friend Mark, so we can both have the experience but I won't ruin her event with my pace. I like to say preparation, not planning. I'm very well prepared for this event but what happens out there is in a lot of ways outside of my control. I think it will take six days, but that's a rough estimate. I'm packing almost 20,000 calories and a water filter to be on the safe side. If I can, I'll post updates mid-race, but there are only a few larger towns on the route that might have service. I'm taking the V4 prototype Warbird to Kyrgyzstan. So many people, including my friends at Salsa, have asked why I'm not taking the Cutthroat instead. I think gravel bike technology as well as tire and wheel technology have come so far in recent years and I have a lot of experience riding the more gravel-centric Warbird on rough routes. I always want to use the best tool available for a race, and Salsa is making a lot of amazing tools. Paired with a wide range drivetrain I'm really happy with, Terravail Cannonball 42mm tires, Industry Nine Ultralite 235 TRA wheels (i9 did some very last minute modifications so I could use my SON dyno front hub--what a great company). I feel really good about this set-up. My coach and I are trying something different with this event. Instead of going into the race with heavy legs as I so often do, I've been training for this for months, not doing any long rides but instead doing lots of high-intensity work. I can't wait to spend some real time on the bike again. We left early on Tuesday morning and the race starts on Saturday.     Follow The Silk Road Dots

Aug 31- Sept 3 Wydaho Rendezvous, Teton Bike Festival Right after I get back from Kyrgyzstan, I'll be leading a bikepacking clinic and a gravel group ride right at this cool grassroots event happening right in my valley.  September 8 WYO131 This gravel race in Lander is part of the Wyoming Gravel Series. I'm stoked to support their series and promote the Gravel Pursuit while I'm there.  September 14 - 16 Gunnison Bikepacking Summit Back on the road to represent Salsa Cycles in Colorado at this rad community-building event.

Backyard Series This year, the Gravel Pursuit is the last stop in Salsa Cycles' Chase the Chaise series that celebrates the awesome world of gravel where everyone is welcome. One luxurious lounge. One photographer. Five different gravel family rooms. Dirt, sweat, and tears from thousands of riders across the land. Photographic portraits to capture it all. Registration is also open for the Fat Pursuit and Fat Camp, an immersive winter fat bike experience that has been described as the best possible preparation for the Iditarod Trail Invitational.    REGISTER NOW