Huge congratulations to Andy Peterson who has completed the epic Silk Road Mountain Race in support of 40tude!  

The indefatigable Andy Andy rode and pushed his mountain bike 1,920km and 30,100m in ascent through the wilderness of Kyrgyzstan in just 13 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes for this massive new cycle challenge, this time on his mountain bike.

Once again Andy was unsupported for this single stage race which, the organisers warned, “follows gravel, single and double-track and old soviet roads that have long been forgotten and fallen into disrepair… There is some ‘hike a bike’, and at times there are great distances between re-supply points.”  Andy faced often harsh and unpredictable mountain weather in “one of the wildest and most inhospitable environments for a bikepacking race” during which the “clock does not stop.” 
 
Says Andy: “Having done the Transcontinental Race last year, I felt I needed an even tougher challenge - ha ha.  This race was extraordinary.  It is acknowledged to be one of, if not the, toughest endurance races on the planet.”
 
As a result of his incredible efforts, Andy has now raised over £50,000 to help fund the Tom Smith Research Fellowship which was established by 40tude in Tom’s memory in 2022 following Andy’s gargantuan Tom Smith 4 Points Ride around the UK. Based at St. Mark’s Hospital, this dedicated research post is focused on identifying the genetic causes of colon cancer.
 
There's still time to congratulate Andy on his massive achievement, by leaving a comment on his JustGiving page for 40tude at https://www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-peterson-6

Congratulations Andy and thank you for taking this on in the name of 40tude, we are all very proud of you!

Donate on Andy's page for 40tude

Event image credit: The Mountain Races