INSPIRATION
By Sara Bukies
Over the coming months, Sara will take us behind the scenes, from the moment this challenge was just a spark of an idea, through the commitment, preparation, and ultimately the race itself.
The Silk Road Mountain Race is one of the toughest ultra endurance events in the world. It can seem daunting, even impossible. But Sara’s journey is about showing what happens when you choose to say yes to something that stretches you.
Through her updates, we hope to offer an honest insight into what it really takes to move from thinking about a goal to fully committing to it and making it a reality.
Follow along as we support Sara on this incredible challenge.
12 Days Before the Yes
“What if we register as a ‘pair’?” The question hangs in the air. Beate has just asked it. We look at each other and burst out laughing. I can hardly believe it. She REALLY asked that, so does that mean she could really imagine doing the Silk Road Mountain Race (= SRMR) with ME? Wow! “If with anyone, then definitely with you!” I reply. And the decision to register is almost made. But we want to sleep on it and both think it over again calmly.
And so a bike fitting appointment (five days before the SRMR registration window closes) turns into a project whose dimensions we cannot yet really assess. A project that will push us to our limits (maybe even a little beyond) and will probably have a profound impact on us. And I keep asking myself: “Am I crazy, can I really do this, am I asking too much of myself?” And because I’ve never been able to get rid of that question over the last few years and simply didn’t believe I could complete a SRMR route within two weeks, I never signed up. But I’ve had this dream for a long time. I’ve been to Kyrgyzstan four times now, always biking on SRMR routes. And always dreaming a little. This time it will probably be a little different. “Same, same but different” or rather “Touring with a sense of urgency,” as Sarah Hammond describes it in her book—a guide for beginners to ultraracing—probably sums it up best.
Sara and Beate at the bike fitting that started it all.
Photo credit: Michael Philipp
8 Days Before the Yes
Beate was here today. We discussed what our expectations are for the race, but also for each other, how we would prefer to ride, how much sleep we need, whether we should take one or two tents, and whether it makes sense to pack a stove. We also talked about which bikes we will ride and what we would like to change about them. We looked at the route together and I was able to explain a few things to her. I realized that I’ve already ridden approx. 3/5 of the route. And not only that. I’ve been there before, I know what the typical village shop has in stock, that the bottled water we need (no sparkling water please!) is called “Legend” but you pronounce it «Legenda, that it’s best to bring couscous from home, because it’s not so easy to find and, for me, it’s the most suitable food besides oatmeal, especially the kind made from chickpeas, because I’m a vegetarian and that way I get enough proteins. As I go through some sections of the route with Beate on Google Maps, I can picture it in my mind’s eye. And I can feel the headwind I had last time. Or the washboards, which are so grueling. And I remember exactly how steep the descent from SongKül Lake was in summer and that we’ll be doing it in the other direction in August and will have to push our bikes up there. And after that, we’re still not at CP 1. No, in between there are what feels like 1,000 roller coasters, nasty little climbs so steep that you can’t ride them, only to race down again and get off your bike and push.
We realize that we probably complement each other very well as a pair: As a physiotherapist and bike fitter, Beate knows so much about the body and bikes and where changes need to be made to get things running smoothly again. She is more experienced than me when it comes to ultra-distances; I’m new to the business. These skills and knowledge give us a certain amount of security. Beate copes well with cold temperatures. I, on the other hand, tend to keep a cool head in the heat. I know the country and much of the route from my four previous trips to Kyrgyzstan. I was there just last summer and know to some extent what to expect and what not to expect. I am familiar with river crossings and thunderstorms in the Tien Shan mountains (which doesn’t mean I no longer have respect for them). This knowledge and experiences also give us a certain degree of security.
And despite all the euphoria, we have to be realistic: it may well be that during the eight months of preparation, but also during the race, we suddenly realize that it makes more sense to start solo or continue solo. And that’s fine with both of us.
We want to sleep on the decision to register for another night and if we both still feel the same tomorrow, we’ll fill out the registration form.
Sara on one of her bikepacking adventures in Kyrgyzstan.
2 Days Before the Yes
“You did WHAT?! SRMR?! Wow, you guys are awesome. So badass!! Do you have any merch? I’m going to be your biggest fan!!” This and other comments are what I hear at the gravELLE club ride when the news spreads. It’s good to know that we have such support behind us and that most people encourage me when I express doubts. I think it’s right to have doubts – I’m very good at that – and to assess the challenge realistically and approach the preparation seriously. And yet I need to learn that I’m allowed to dream and trust in my abilities. The female community around me encourages me to do so, and I am once again grateful for all these women who constantly support and believe in each other.
Day 0: The Yes
Hi Sara,
I am delighted to inform you that your application for Silk Road Mountain Race 2026 was accepted!
*WUUUUATTT?!* *shiiiiit* *YES YES YES!!!!!* *f***!!* *WOOOOHOOOOOO BABY, WE’RE DOING THIS!*, all that and much more went through my mind today when I read Nelson’s email. Wow. We. Are. Doing. This. Now. For. Real!!! Phewww…
(Beate got her spot too, of course).
Day 1 After The Yes
I have now also registered solo for Dead Ends and Cake at the end of June. Just to gain more experience in a race setting and also because it’s a unique kind of event.
242 days to go until the start of the Silk Road Mountain Race.
Day 7 After The Yes
Peta, my coach, texted me via Training Peaks:
“Hi Sara, Doing some analysis on your rides, I’m wondering if we need to bump your FTP up a little. If you’re up for a test tomorrow and are feeling fresh, I’ve put in a Fatigue Resistance test, it’s a bumper edition at close to 2:30 hours on the home trainer.”
…. Oooookay, let’s do this!
(More about my training volume another day).
Beate fixing a mechanical whilst on The Weekender – Oberland Edition
[12/29/25, 5:20 p.m.] Beate:
I trained today:
1. I drove a 5 cm long nail into my tire (maybe not 5 cm but it was HUGE)
2. Successfully sealed it with a plug
3. Still lost air
4. Unscrewed the valve again with the Leyzine pump
5. Discovered that I have a hole in the rim
6. Washing out the sealant with lemon water and drying it with a tissue
7. Put in an inner tube
8. Fitted the tire
9. Riding on steep sections that I didn’t dare to ride last time, because I’m a badass now
It didn’t even annoy me because I thought: good training. This is what SRMR does to us 🥰
[12/29/25, 5:35 p.m.] Sara:
Yes, you are badass. ✌🏼🥰 Today I trained to ride my gravel bike in the drops on a single trail as I’m thinking of installing dropbars on my hardtail for the race.
[12/29/25, 5:36 p.m.] Sara:
Haha, yeah, now any bullshit that happens to us while riding our bikes can be declared as training for SRMR and we can’t even complain about it anymore 🤣
Day 19 After The Yes
Today I woke up to a layer of fresh snow and thought to myself: “Oh, now I could train to ride in fresh snow. That could happen to us at the SRMR too.” In the evening, I found out that Beate also had been training: She went running in the snow with thin neoprene socks in running shoes, i.e., testing whether the neoprene socks are also suitable for river crossings and whether they keep her feet from getting wet and cold.
We are slowly working our way through the checklist.
Day 26 After The Yes
We booked the flights!!! And I took care of contacting and booking accommodations for the days when we need something nice and relaxing.
217 days to go until the start of the race.
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We’ll be sharing more of Sara’s journey over the coming months. To avoid missing out on the latest updates then you can subscribe to our newsletter, follow IRIS on Instagram and of course follow Sara too.
