LONG-DISTANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE races are steadily increasing in popularity as mountain and cyclo-cross riders seek out harder and tougher endurance races on rarely ridden trails. This past August’s nine-day, 1,200-kilometer Mongolia Bike Challenge definitely met those requirements.
Taking places on the steppes of Mongolia where Genghis Khan led a short but fast conquest of central Europe, China and the Middle East in the 13th century, the course begins in the Dalanzagad in Southern Mongolia and traverses the Gobi Desert through the Khanghai Mountains to eventually finish in Karakorum, the site of Mongolia’s first Buddhist Temple.
The nomadic Mongolian life seemed largely unchanged from ancient times: the traditional round white gers, or lodges, shepherd communities living off the land with their yak, goat and sheep, and horse riders frequently on bareback. And as one of the many proud riders, having conquered the nine stages of the MBC with an Orbea Almer 29-er bike as my trusty weapon, I finished seventh, only 10 minutes behind the winner. However, it felt like I could keep on riding. I was well and truly broken in after coming to terms with the epic event being over, but had photos to prove that I had done it to completion. 
Intermission
Intermission
