Komoot launches the Expedition Alay route - a new off-road bikepacking adventure in Kyrgyzstan

For Immediate Release

Potsdam May 2nd - Adventure platform komoot launches a second bikepacking route with expert route-builders Tristan Bogaard and Belén Castelló, following the launch of the Zillertal Trail in July 2022. Expedition Alay takes riders through Kyrgyzstan, over high-altitude mountain passes, across rivers and through truly wild landscapes. With around 8,000 m of ascending over the 500 km loop, this is a bucket list route for the most adventurous bikepackers.

The route is now available to all as a komoot Collection, and adds to komoot’s ever growing resource of over 300 bikepacking adventures across the world.  

The new 500 km route was born out of Tristan & Belén’s personal fascination with this particular corner of Central Asia. They searched wide and far to create a route that would connect the city of Osh and the Alay Valley, meandering through some of Kyrgyzstan’s most spectacular scenery.

Expedition Alay is the result; a stunning new bikepacking route far from the beaten track, tackling two epic high-altitude mountain passes along the way.

The Expedition Alay route has been designed with the experienced bikepacker in mind; with a likely completion time of 12-14 days and consecutive days without resupply. While most of the route is rideable on a sturdy bike with wide tyres, there are sections of hike-a-bike and a good level of fitness will make life considerably easier. With around 8,000 m of ascending, there is no shortage of climbing. Riders tackling this route should be comfortable at high altitude, experienced wild campers and be confident mechanics.

Distance: 467 km (290 miles)

Elevation: 8,230 m (27,000 feet)

Waytype and surface: Mixed terrain - singletrack, unpaved, rural and mountain roads

Few cyclists have explored as much of the world using komoot as Tristan and Belén. Tristan grew up on bikes in the Netherlands, while Belén is from Spain. As a pair, they’ve pedaled thousands of kilometers traveling the world by bike, documenting their journeys and united by a mission to create content that inspires others to travel by bike. Together they’ve co-authored two books: Bike Life and 50 Ways to Cycle the World.

Follow Tristan and Belén’s bikepacking adventures on komoot -  tristanbogaard and Belén Castelló (belletoscan). Find more bikepacking route Collections and adventure inspiration in the komoot Discover Feed. 

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Media Kit - Free to use images (credit Tristan Bogaard and Belén Castelló) and route map - https://newsroom.komoot.com/en/media_kits/230948

For interviews and quotes with Tristan and Belén, or longer form content about the Expedition Alay route - please contact jonathan@komoot.de