Silk Road Mountain Race (SRMR)

He doesn't pay road taxes, jumped a red light and was in the middle of the road.

Ouch! He's not having a lucky race

Fucking cycliclist

Sadly brings back memories of this

Following pair Sue and Maraika too; they seem to hardly rest at all!

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The per capita GDP of Kyrgyzstan is $3,400 per annum. Male life expectancy is 66 years. In rural areas on 86% of the people have access to improved drinking water. Unemployment is 13%. 33% of the population is below the poverty line. Rural communities are incredibly poor.

The race introduces Kyrgystan to a wider world and opens it up to tourism but the benefits of that tourism are probably not immediately apparent to all of the communities that the races goes through. While one hears beautiful stories of locals befriending and helping racers, at the same time, it not difficult to imagine a certain resentment in some quarters.

One way of looking at the race is of a group of highly privileged people parading their affluence in a masquerade of suffering in front of people for whom suffering is a quintessential part of life.

I think that the achievements of the riders are amazing in terms of athleticism and mental resolve. I do also think that we have to consider the position of the locals. It may be that more education of them is required together with more direct benefits delivered to the communities through whom the race travels; but it seems that we have, this year, seen some signs of resentment and one cannot merely blame this resentment on the people who live there.

Good post, rep

It's a good point. And it was related to one of the reasons I decided not to do it last year (along with realising that I would be totally out of my depth) - I was particularly concerned about the impact on food supplies in remote areas from 100 hungry locust westerners eating as much in a day as locals might in almost a week. I did ask Nelson about it and he had thought about it, and tried to do things to make sure it wasn't an issue.

When I've toured in remote areas in the past I've tried to tone down the image a bit, avoid shiny lycra and just wear normal clothes. Bell to ring to children in villages, etc. Helmets in particular, are not a good look, given military associations. I think that people in full bike racing kit must look very other-worldly and intimidating. But, for a racer, there isn't much option.

TBH some bits of Eastern Europe felt like this as well. Just an hour out of Burgas on TCR the parcours took us through remote farming villages where fields were being tended by hand or with 50-year old equipment and tiny houses had crooked, leaking roofs. I felt a bit out of place there.

@skinny you did an incredible ride . we were speaking with Lucy (rusjan) yesterday night about you.
tremendous effort and I am sorry for these damn people who stopped you to get what you have deserved.
grande skinny!

I felt a bit out of place there.

I cycle through London in casual clothes and still have people swerve at me. Cyclists are 'out of place' everywhere drivers exist.

Klaus had a dispute with Kevin. Sounds pretty serious! ;)
https://youtu.be/Q4BveTSlwrY

Clive you speak like a woke millennial but with life experience and eloquence.

All good and fair points, but still, don't drive your car at someone it's shitty, malicious thing to do and there are plenty of people with very little who would not consider it.

Absolutely. It is awful and unnecessary and wrong. But, one thing that one must always be mindful of when travelling is not to flaunt ones privilege. It can lead to reactions among people who do not share the same educational advantages that one has and who may not share the same moral guidelines.

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Tbh having been here I think you're views are far from reality. You should probebrly come hede and travel before making assumptions.

Cyclists are pretty common here and lots of locals use bikes, tourists and bike tourers are 10 a penny. There is plenty of food. It's really not as you imagine.

Helmets and military? Right.

And you should see the locals driving round in the plexus and G wagons. It's hardly westerners coming and flaunting wealthy. This please is corrupt with a huge divide.

Really do come here and actually experiance it before making assumptions.

One way of looking at the race is of a group of highly privileged people parading their affluence in a masquerade of suffering in front of people for whom suffering is a quintessential part of life.

Quality meme material here. If I knew how I would have a go at making one but instead you'll have to imagine it. Spoken from the perspective of the locals:

Oh you think riding your fancy expensive bikes in my back yard is hard? Try living here you snowflakes. :)

The real issue with franks post is the age of the farming equipment. It's clearly older than 50 years.
:)

one thing that one must always be mindful of when travelling is not to flaunt ones privilege

Travelling for leisure is flaunting your privilege and wealth though, meant or not.

The guy in the motor was just having a basic cunt moment. They are everywhere.

Feel like that is one thing travelling on a bike does well: challenge your assumptions. Places aren't always what you imagine and it's a great way to learn about all the bits in between that you would never visit otherwise by being sort of forced to, on a bike.

I hope Skinny doesn't mind me posting it here
https://www.strava.com/activities/2664529528

Welcome.
Pleased with my kegaty dh KOM! But christ Jakub was 1h faster up, I really struggled that first 2 days.

Look at that stopped time!

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Do you think he might have practiced running/ pushing his bike more?
How much pushing is there?

maybe 20-25 hours pushing for me, maybe more for others.

I did quite a lot in training, he was just the far stronger rider. Deserved to win for sure.