Silk Route
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is the Silk Route Expedition?
The 2012 Silk Route Expedition is a modern self-powered caravan that follows in the footsteps of Marco Polo along this renowned trading network. You and your companions will bike the 12,160kms from Shanghai to Istanbul traversing seven countries in 129 days; a journey that took the merchants, soldiers and adventurers of the past many uncomfortable months - if they made it at all!
Be forewarned! This Expedition is a genuine physical and mental challenge. This is not an event within a controlled environment; it is a journey of self challenge and realization that will test the participants physical and mental stamina, and 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.
Is it a race or an expedition?
The Silk Route is not a race, rather it is an expedition for individuals whose aims are to tour this fascinating part of the world by bike and to complete as much of the route as possible. Participants are of course also welcome to race against themselves over the daily distances, and against any other wannabe racers among the clientele. 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.
What type of weather and terrain should I expect?
Prepare for anything outside of winter like conditions = rain, heat, mountains, desert, bad roads, busy roads and strong winds. We will likely see many of these conditions on 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. Soon enough the bikers break into several groups. Some strong, some fast, and some trying to keep their EFI status. Many 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 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?
There is no official race on the 2012 Silk Route.
Who organizes the Silk Route 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, whereas the Silk Route will have more hotels and indoor accommodations. The potential for extreme heat is greater on the Silk Route, especially in Turkmenistan.
How do I transport my bicycle to the starting point and back home after the tour?
Most airlines now charge an extra fee for bringing your bicycle on international flights. Some do not if you only have 1 other piece of luggage usually with a max weight of 23 kg. The fee for carrying a bike or "sports equipment" is typically US$ 100-150. Most bike stores will be able to help you package your bike in a cardboard box for the flight. Please note that bicycle cases are NOT allowed on the tour as there is no space on the support vehicles to store these, regardless of their size, or whether they are a soft or hard case. For participants leaving the Tour before Istanbul, we generally recycle the boxes of the other participants who are joining the Tour along the way. In Istanbul, cardboard bike boxes will be made available for all participants.
The 2012 Silk Route Expedition is a modern self-powered caravan that follows in the footsteps of Marco Polo along this renowned trading network. You and your companions will bike the 12,160kms from Shanghai to Istanbul traversing seven countries in 129 days; a journey that took the merchants, soldiers and adventurers of the past many uncomfortable months - if they made it at all!
Be forewarned! This Expedition is a genuine physical and mental challenge. This is not an event within a controlled environment; it is a journey of self challenge and realization that will test the participants physical and mental stamina, and 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.
The Silk Route is not a race, rather it is an expedition for individuals whose aims are to tour this fascinating part of the world by bike and to complete as much of the route as possible. Participants are of course also welcome to race against themselves over the daily distances, and against any other wannabe racers among the clientele. 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.
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.
Prepare for anything outside of winter like conditions = rain, heat, mountains, desert, bad roads, busy roads and strong winds. We will likely see many of these conditions on the Tour.
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. Soon enough the bikers break into several groups. Some strong, some fast, and some trying to keep their EFI status. Many 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 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.
There is no official race on the 2012 Silk Route.
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.
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, whereas the Silk Route will have more hotels and indoor accommodations. The potential for extreme heat is greater on the Silk Route, especially in Turkmenistan.
Most airlines now charge an extra fee for bringing your bicycle on international flights. Some do not if you only have 1 other piece of luggage usually with a max weight of 23 kg. The fee for carrying a bike or "sports equipment" is typically US$ 100-150. Most bike stores will be able to help you package your bike in a cardboard box for the flight. Please note that bicycle cases are NOT allowed on the tour as there is no space on the support vehicles to store these, regardless of their size, or whether they are a soft or hard case. For participants leaving the Tour before Istanbul, we generally recycle the boxes of the other participants who are joining the Tour along the way. In Istanbul, cardboard bike boxes will be made available for all participants.
What are the costs?
How much does it cost?
The full Tour costs 11,900 Euros.
What other expenses will I likely have before and during the Tour?
The full Tour costs 11,900 Euros.
- Flight
- Equipment
- Vaccinations
- Visas
- Souvenirs (optional)
- Food on rest days as well as on the nights coming into a rest day
- Gratuities for field staff (optional)
How are the riders daily needs met?
Do you supply maps of the daily route?
No, the Silk Route 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 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.
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 and water. When you arrive to camp there will be warm soup. 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.
No, the Silk Route 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.
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.
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.
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 and water. When you arrive to camp there will be warm soup. 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.
Health and safety
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 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 about health?
Maintaining good health is a key concern on an expedition of such length. In the weeks and months prior to departure 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. On tour it is important that you pace yourself, listen to the signals your body is sending you, and maintain good personal health and sanitation practices.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.
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.
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.
Maintaining good health is a key concern on an expedition of such length. In the weeks and months prior to departure 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. On tour it is important that you pace yourself, listen to the signals your body is sending you, and maintain good personal health and sanitation practices.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.
Preparing to ride
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. For more info on training please click here
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.
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. Another good option is a cyclocross bike. Frames should ideally be steel, or aluminum. Carbon may not be durable enough, or repairable if broken. Aluminum is light, stiff and fast. A steel frame will be heavier but more comfortable because it is inherently more flexible. In terms of tires, we recommend Schwalbe Marathon Plus for their durability and puncture-resistance. In terms of a rear rack and handlebar bags, we recommend the products made in Canada by Arkel.
You should be in good physical shape and have the ability to consistently bike more than 100 km per day. For more info on training please click here
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.
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. Another good option is a cyclocross bike. Frames should ideally be steel, or aluminum. Carbon may not be durable enough, or repairable if broken. Aluminum is light, stiff and fast. A steel frame will be heavier but more comfortable because it is inherently more flexible. In terms of tires, we recommend Schwalbe Marathon Plus for their durability and puncture-resistance. In terms of a rear rack and handlebar bags, we recommend the products made in Canada by Arkel.
Sectional riders
Can I just join for part of the Expedition?
Yes, of course. The Silk Route is broken into eight 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 May 19 and September 24 then please contact our office and we will help you make it work.
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 that we are operating it.
Yes, of course. The Silk Route is broken into eight 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 May 19 and September 24 then please contact our office and we will help you make it work.
Yes, absolutely. This way, you have the satisfaction of doing the entire Silk Route, but in manageable sections each year that we are operating it.
Tourism
What countries does the Tour pass through?
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. Some of the real highlights include staying in Silk Route caravanserais along the route and the "Golden Road" trading cities of Merv (Mary), Bukhara, and Samarqand, which feature some of the Islamic world's most stunning architecture.
- China
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
- Turkmenistan
- Iran
- Turkey
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. Some of the real highlights include staying in Silk Route caravanserais along the route and the "Golden Road" trading cities of Merv (Mary), Bukhara, and Samarqand, which feature some of the Islamic world's most stunning architecture.
