Share
The Mountain Races Podcast
SRMR 2025 Day 2-3: CP1 at Peak Lenin
Season 8, Ep. 5
•
Sitting in the shadow of the towering Peak Lenin, Checkpoint One at Topol Camp feels like a real refuge. At 3,600 meters, the yellow tents stand against the wind, the alpine lakes reflect the mountains above, and riders arrive carrying stories from the road.
It’s just over 300 kilometers into the route, but already they’ve faced long hike-a-bikes, icy river crossings, and the reality of altitude. Some pressed on through the night, others chose to wait for safer water levels in the morning. For a few, sickness and fatigue turned CP1 into the natural end of their race. For most, it was a welcome pause — a place to eat, rest, and carry on.
From Robin Gemperle, first to arrive, to Camila Guaritá rolling in with just minutes before the cut-off, the voices in this episode capture the contrasts of those first days. Relief, doubt, joy, exhaustion, and the little things that keep you moving forward. A Simon & Garfunkel song hummed on the trail, a pocket full of condensed milk, the warmth of a yurt, the simple pleasure of a hot shower. The road from here stretches into the unknown: several hundred kilometers of tarmac before the next major hike-a-bike, and the decisions riders make now will shape the days ahead.
Riders featured in this episode:
- Andy Peterson - Cap 14
- Dennis Stegemann - Cap 55
- Leanne Bentley - Cap 116
- Tori Riemersma - Cap 200
- Thomas Quirk - Cap 194
- Robin Gemperle - Cap 165
- Alex McCormack - Cap 8
- Anatole Naimi - Cap 10
- Chris Burkard - Cap 69
- James & Kirsty - Caps 315 A&B
- Simon Petley - Cap 177
- Roz Osborne - Cap 171
- Anne Hutmacher - Cap 303A
- Ignacio Pellejero - Cap 86
- Johannes Santen - Cap 98
- Marius & Wililam - Caps 317 A&B
- Marlin Peterson - Cap 126
- Nat Anderson - Cap 319A
- Karen Jennings - Cap 107
- Guillaume Lallement - Cap 78
- Sami Sauri - Cap 174
- Camila Guaritá - Cap 30
Click here to Dotwatch the race
Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates
Production and hosting by Mel Webb
Sound design by Ben Crannell
Music by Batyrkan
Cover image by Stephen Shelesky
Thanks to our race partners Albion, Pertex, Tailfin, Styrkr and Julbo.
More episodes
View all episodes
1. SRMR 2018 : EP1-Introduction to the Silk Road Mountain Race & Interview with Nelson Trees
43:01||Season 1, Ep. 1Welcome to the Silk Road Mountain Race Podcast, a 12 part podcast series. We will cover one of the most exciting new additions to the bikepacking calendar. An epic adventure that will take place in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan! The race will start on the 18th of August and by the time it ends on the 1st of September, participants will have covered 1700 KM and climbed 26000 M in in of the most remote and stunning areas of our planet. In this first episode we will introduce you to Nelson Trees, the race director and discuss how this race came about, what challenges riders can expect, some useful tips, and the general philosophy behind the race. ENJOY!! USEFULL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.2. SRMR 2018 : EP2-Wolves, wilderness and women on bikes.
53:50||Season 1, Ep. 2Welcome to the Silk Road Mountain Race Podcast, a 12 part podcast series. We will cover one of the most exciting new additions to the bikepacking calendar: an epic adventure that will take place in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The race will start on the 18th August and by the time it ends on the 1st of September, participants will have covered 1700 KM and climbed 26000 M in of the most remote and stunning areas of our planet. In the second episode we talk to a champion female bike packer on a mission to get more people riding, an adventure cyclist and writer who knows Kyrgyzstan like the back of his hand and to round the world record holder, Mark Beaumont. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW OUR QUESTS: Mark Beaumont Website : www.markbeaumontonline.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MarkBeaumontAdventures/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/MrMarkBeaumont Lee Craigie Website : https://leecraigie.com Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/leecraigie/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/leecraigie_ Ed Shoote Website : http://welovemountains.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1lovemountains/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/1loveMountains USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.3. SRMR 2018 : EP3-Final Tips & Tricks before the start
44:49||Season 1, Ep. 3Welcome to the Silk Road Mountain Race Podcast, a 12 part podcast series. We will cover one of the most exciting new additions to the bikepacking calendar: an epic adventure that will take place in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The race will start on the 18th August and by the time it ends on the 1st of September, participants will have covered 1700 KM and climbed 26000 M in of the most remote and stunning areas of our planet. In this episode we hear from Shand Cycles, a race sponsor and participant, Jeff Liu, Shanghai-based cyclist and co-founder of the race and from Jay Petervaray, veteran endurance rider from Idaho with a great attitude on how to approach a challenge. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW OUR QUESTS: https://www.facebook.com/jay.petervary/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.4. SRMR 2018 : EP4-Hipsters, heartbreak and hallucinations
45:35||Season 1, Ep. 4Welcome to the Silk Road Mountain Race Podcast, a 12 part podcast series. We will cover one of the most exciting new additions to the bikepacking calendar: an epic adventure that will take place in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The race will start on the 18th August and by the time it ends on the 1st of September, participants will have covered 1700 KM and climbed 26000 M in of the most remote and stunning areas of our planet. An Action-packed episode including interviews with riders before the race, chats to those who haven't made it to the start line, plus insights into local Kyrgyz culture. Saddle up! This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW THE RACE LIVE https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/tracking/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.5. SRMR 2018 : EP5 - Kegety Pass: race to the summit
48:22||Season 1, Ep. 5We chat to riders as they summit the first major climb of the race (3780m), get some tips from avid dot watchers and wave off the last of the riders to start. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW THE RACE LIVE https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/tracking/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.6. SRMR 2018 : EP6 - Check point 1, the heat, and some tough choices
46:39||Season 1, Ep. 6We chat to riders as they pass check point 1. We also talk to some rider that have scratched and the hard choices they had to make, and last but not least some further insight into Kyrgyzstan. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW THE RACE LIVE https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/tracking/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.7. SRMR 2018 : EP7 - Where the wild things are
29:44||Season 1, Ep. 7As well as hearing more tales from the road and some top rider profiles , we have our own mini 'pop idol' session. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW THE RACE LIVE https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/tracking/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.8. SRMR 2018 : EP8 - The end in sight
20:43||Season 1, Ep. 8While the lanterne rouge riders are in a race to get to the last checkpoint before it closes, Jay Petervary pedals in to victory - and beer. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW THE RACE LIVE https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/tracking/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.9. SRMR 2018 : EP9 - Hallucinations, hypothermia and hunger - just another day in the SRMR.
32:59||Season 1, Ep. 9Riders have the finish line in sight, but not before battling marshland, washboard and sub-zero temperatures. Meanwhile, we talk with a Bishkek entrepreneur about his plans to increase tourism in the country. This Podcast is made possible by Shand Cycles Ltd.. Shand is a UK bike brand manufacturing a range of sports, touring and expedition bikes for use on- and off-road. Bikes are made to order with custom frame sizes, a choice of different component builds plus over 30 paint colours to choose from. Experienced in Rohloff beltdrive builds too. Checkout www.shandcycles.com. FOLLOW THE RACE LIVE https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/tracking/ USEFUL LINKS Website : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/ Map of the route : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#route Introduction video : https://vimeo.com/245350779 SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON: Apple Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-silk-road-mountain-race-podcast/id1407424948?mt=2 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/racesilkroadmountainracecc/silk-road-mountain-race-podcast Android http://subscribeonandroid.com/silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml or direct RSS Feed https://silkroadmountainrace.podbean.com/feed.xml AND FOLLOW US ON: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/silkroadmtnrace Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/silkroadmountainrace/ Newsletter : https://www.silkroadmountainrace.cc/#newsletter Produced by Silk Road Mountain Race Ltd.