Silk Road Mountain Race 2026: how the world’s toughest bikepacking ultra crosses the mountains of Kyrgyzstan

Silk Road Mountain Race 2026 (SRMR 2026) once again brings bikepackers from all over the world to Kyrgyzstan. It’s a fixed route, fully self-supported, and one long non-stop race where prizes don’t matter (there are none) — what counts is character, experience and a love of wild mountain landscapes. (themountainraces.cc)

In 2026 the route became even longer and more demanding:

• Dates: 15–29 August 2026
• Distance: 2,052 km
• Elevation gain: ~35,362 m
• Surface: only about 20% asphalt, the rest is dirt, old roads, jeep tracks and trails
• Start: Talas (north-west Kyrgyzstan)
• Finish: Cholpon-Ata, north shore of Issyk-Kul Lake
• Format and rules: https://themountainraces.eventrac.co.uk/e/silk-road-mountain-race-12615

Between start and finish are mountain passes, high plateaus, wild valleys, yurt camps and long sections without any settlements.

This is exactly the kind of Kyrgyzstan bikepackers love. And this is the Kyrgyzstan that FreeBike.kg helps riders discover — both SRMR participants and those who simply want a big bike trip following parts of the race route.

Key features of the 2026 route

• “The longest and most demanding” SRMR in the history of the race
• A new wild ~150 km section between Baetov and the military post before Torugart Pass — little-ridden tracks and a full feeling of “middle of nowhere”
• Hike-a-bike over Ukok Pass with views of the beautiful Kok-Ulok lake
• The classic combo of Kegety and Kok-Airik passes closer to the finish, before dropping down to Issyk-Kul

Gear and bikes: what the organisers require and how this matches FreeBike.kg

The organisers stress clearly: the Silk Road is not the place to experiment with “single-speed enduro” without preparation. Gear requirements are strict.

Basic mandatory kit (for all races in the series)

• front and rear lights (riding at night is normal, not an exception)
• helmet
• basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptics, any required medication)
• full sleep system suitable for sub-zero nights
• waterproof shell jacket and a warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
• thermal bivvy / “space blanket” for emergency overnights
• spare derailleur hanger
• reliable navigation device
• priority is a light 29er MTB with tyres at least 2.0"
• a very low climbing gear (around 1:1) is highly recommended for the steepest climbs
• front suspension is welcomed but not mandatory
• and the key phrase from the organisers: after the finish, gravel bike owners usually regret not taking an MTB — but no rider on an MTB regrets not bringing a gravel bike

What bike do the organisers recommend?

Where FreeBike.kg comes in

This is exactly where a rental service in Bishkek can remove 80% of the headache for a bikepacker flying to Kyrgyzstan for SRMR or for their own big route:

• we can prepare a modern hardtail MTB and 27"/29" tyres with suitable gearing for local passes
• we can build a full bikepacking setup for you: bags, pump, bottle mounts, rear rack, multitool, spare tubes, repair kit, spare derailleur hanger, etc.
• additional gear — tents, sleeping bags, gas, gas stove, SPD pedals, cookware, sleeping pad, helmet, anti-barking device for dogs, and more
• we can give down-to-earth advice on clothing and sleep system for specific passes and seasons — we know our mountains very well

What is Silk Road Mountain Race and why is there so much buzz around it?

If you look at articles and ride reports about the Silk Road Mountain Race, the picture is quite consistent: it’s extremely hard, but also absolutely magical.

A few typical points from different sources:

• com calls the race one of the toughest in the world: long sections without resupply, a very high percentage of off-road, constant altitude above 3,000 m and “almost no tarmac at all”
• Rider reports describe kilometres of hike-a-bike, long drawn-out pass climbs, storm winds on high plateaus, soaked bivvies — and the feeling that the reward is views and emotions you simply can’t get in a softer format
• Kyrgyz and regional media emphasise the international field every year: 170–200+ participants from 35–40 countries, and a route passing the country’s key highlights — lakes Son-Kul, Chatyr-Kul, Issyk-Kul, passes around Naryn, Kazarman and Torugart
• Platforms like DotWatcher turn SRMR into a series: daily updates, stories from the leaders and the “lanterne rouge”, analysis of sleep and resupply strategies

For a bikepacker who is just looking at Kyrgyzstan, all of this is a great source of inspiration. But it’s important to remember: the race is the top of the pyramid — the base is a “simple” bikepacking trip where you choose the pace and difficulty yourself.

What is dotwatching and how to follow SRMR online?

Dotwatching is when you watch the race map and follow dozens or hundreds of little “dots” (riders) moving along the route in real time.

Silk Road Mountain Race uses the Maprogress platform (app.maprogress.com):

• each rider has a tracker that sends coordinates every few minutes
• on the map you can see the route track, rider locations, speed, altitude and distance to the next checkpoints

Example: the online map for SRMR 2025 is at https://srmr2025.maprogress.com/. It’s the perfect way to “feel” the race as a spectator, understand the dynamics and see how the pace really spreads out along the route.

How to ride parts of SRMR on a rental bike from FreeBike.kg

Silk Road Mountain Race is not only for those who start with a race number on the bars. One of the big values of the event is that it opens and “blesses” routes for all other bikepackers.

1. For those planning SRMR 2026

If you’re going to apply or have already applied, it makes sense to:

• arrive in Kyrgyzstan 1–2 weeks before the race
• rent a 29" MTB in Bishkek
• do an acclimatisation mini-tour with similar elevation and terrain

FreeBike.kg can be your:

• base in Bishkek: easy to pick up your bike, buy small items, check your gear
• place to test your bikepacking setup (bags, pump, bottle mounts, rear rack, multitool, spare tubes, repair kit, spare derailleur hanger, etc.)
• consultant on local specifics: where there is still snow in July, which passes are better left for August, how to plan your route
• helper with transfers to the race start point

2. For those who want “their own” Silk Road without racing

You don’t have to ride 2,052 km in 14–15 days. You can:

• pick one or two key SRMR areas (Talas mountains, Son-Kul region, plateau south of Naryn, Kegety and Kok-Airik passes to Issyk-Kul) and create your own 12–14 day route
• use other riders’ experience from race reports and GPX tracks, but adapt everything to your own pace and level

In this case, FreeBike.kg is your “local hardware partner”:

• you rent a reliable MTB in Bishkek
• we help you choose gear, tyres and a basic packing layout
• you use SRMR-inspired GPX tracks and stories, but ride without the race pressure, in your own rhythm
• our clients — bikepackers — come every year to be inspired by this incredible race and happily share their impressions

Conclusion

Silk Road Mountain Race 2026 is the peak of bikepacking ultra: 2,052 km, 35,000+ m of climbing and full self-support in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

But even if you never plan to line up at the start, you can still:

• follow SRMR via dotwatching on the Maprogress map
• read riders’ stories and get inspired by their experience
• and most importantly — come to Kyrgyzstan, rent a bike from FreeBike.kg and ride your own mountains, your own route and your own version of the Silk Road

Here are some of our SRMR-inspired routes – Freebike.kg