Showdown on the Silk Road: Seb Breuer Faces His Biggest Challenge Yet

The SILK ROAD MOUNTAIN RACE is an unsupported, single-stage mountain bike race following a set 1900 kilometer (1180 mile) route with 30,000 meters (98,425 feet) of elevation gain through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The course runs predominantly on gravel roads and old forgotten Soviet highways. Tarmac as found in Central Europe, is rare to non-existent. On some sections, riders even have to push or carry their bikes.

One of the biggest challenges of the SILK ROAD MOUNTAIN RACE (SRMR) is the harshness of the natural environment. The Tian Shan mountains, with peaks over 7000 meters (22,965 feet) high, cover over 80% of Kyrgyzstan. The SRMR takes place at altitudes between 2000 and 4000 meters (6562-13,123 feet), where the thin air pushes the body and its metabolism to the limit even faster. The roads and trails are very rough, often strewn with gravel and rock gardens, making riding difficult and dangerous. The steep climbs are barely conquerable without exceptional climbing skills and tremendous strength and endurance. The equally steep descents are often highly technical, requiring top-notch bike handling skills. Unpredictable weather and extreme temperature fluctuations further complicate the race: in summer, temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F) during the day depending on elevation, but at night the mercury quickly drops below freezing. However, the remoteness and isolation of the route likely poses the biggest problem. The SRMR repeatedly leads riders through absolute wilderness far removed from any civilization. This means the competitors must be completely self-sufficient. One strategy could be to carry all required food from the start. But this adds more weight, which can become a considerable disadvantage over so much elevation gain. Riders who usually rely on fast "bikepacking light" with spontaneous resupply stops will be disappointed by the very limited restocking options here. Unfamiliar foods can also quickly ruin one's appetite (see our interview with Robin Gemperle on the Atlas Mountain Race for more). Therefore, nutrition strategy requires careful planning. In case of emergencies or injuries, access to medical facilities may also be limited, adding another layer of risk.

In an exclusive interview after the race, Seb told us how he prepared for the SRMR, what equipment he used, and whether the experience was dream or rather nightmare for him:

Seb, what were the biggest physical challenges in a race without support in such remote terrain? How did you prepare?

Basically, my participation was super last minute. I decided to do it about four weeks before, after talking it through with my wife Christina. Other than getting my body in decent shape to conquer this monster, preparation was quite compressed. I didn't do any altitude training. I arrived with good fitness and was traveling light weight-wise. In retrospect I would do that differently next time and carry more reserves. By the end I was missing 6 kilos (13 lbs). Seeing myself in the mirror was intense. Beyond the legends surrounding the SRMR, I had no idea what to expect.

What was especially tough mentally? Could you prepare for that aspect?
The sheer distance without resupply. You're riding all day sometimes and apart from breathtaking scenery you see nothing and no one. That's a real mental challenge. And if you do find something to eat, you have to be careful about how it was stored and prepared to avoid poisoning or infection.

How did you handle nutrition and hydration over such a long distance and duration? What kind of supplies did you carry, and what was available along the way?  
There was basically nothing available along the way, also because I was super cautious. At least I dared to eat bread or packaged items. In the yurts in the evenings I mostly just had dry bread and tea. But I had my bags full of gels, bars and powders. That was extremely helpful. Not to forget my water filter - without that the race would have been over quicker than you can blink.  

What else was important for being as self-sufficient as possible during the race? What are essentials for you?
The water filter I already mentioned, plus Micropur disinfectant tablets and generally just reliable equipment. There are three things you want to avoid: crashes, food poisoning and hunger.

What lighting setup did you use and why?  
I had the M99 DY PRO and a hub dynamo. That's my all-round carefree package. I can switch on my lights anytime and even have a high beam. That's a major safety factor. I also don't need to worry about battery life.

What lessons did you learn from this race? And how will they help in future adventures?

For me it was all about finishing. I had no other goals beyond reaching the finish line and learning. The race featured the world's top ultra endurance athletes. I still lack experience compared to those riders. Despite my much longer sleep times (winner Sofiane Sehili had 9 hours while I had almost 2 days), in the end I was able to achieve 5th place without completely emptying my tank. We'll have to see where this journey might lead in the coming years. It certainly motivates me a lot...

We're looking forward to Seb's next adventures and wish him the very best!

Potos: Nils Längner

Interview & Text: Levin Sottru