Between July and November 2016 I was cycling the Silk Road between Europe and China. The original plan to stop in Iran quickly fell apart.

I hurried up to get over Tajikistan’s Pamir highway before winter, but didn’t get a visa, and instead cycled 1,200km in 85 hours back through the desert in Uzbekistan. Then I did a big detour to Lake Issyk-Kul, and finally crossed the snow-covered mountains of Kyrgyzstan to get to China in late October.

• Route: Cesme to Kashgar.
• Distance: 7,000km.
• Countries: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China.
• Highlights: Izmir province in Turkey; the Georgian military highway from Tbilisi to Mount Kazbegi; crossing the Caspian on a railway ferry; spending two weeks at Art Hostel in Tashkent; the wonderful welcome into countless homes across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; and just about making it to China through snow-covered passes.
• Lowlights: The atmosphere surrounding the coup attempt in Turkey.

 

Cycling the Silk Road: Blog Posts

 

 

Cycling the Silk Road: Route Map

 

 

Cycling the Silk Road: Photos