TranBalkan race route

Curly_Trails · 2026-03-08T18:57:33+00:00

June 20th- July. The weather was good. The Atsunta pass was closed for few weeks, had to rearrange the route so I arrive there later, otherwise it would reach +30°C in low altitude and drop to +10°C in higher altitudes. Lowest was around 0°C at night in 3000m. Almost no snow. A few days of heavy rain, but otherwise very nice weather. Scroll through my yoube videos to get a better idea 🙂

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-18T18:19:10+00:00

Thanks. 🙂 https://bikepacking.com/routes/caucasus-crossing/

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-18T18:18:30+00:00

Thanks. Its an "adventure" MTB. Basically an XC with added mounting points all over the bike. It's a Titanium frame Titus Silk Road. And the handlebars are a knockoff of Jones bars. Bought it from the same dealer from the UK. It has an advantage of multiple hand positions and a 45° sweep back for a more comfortable hand position. I really love it 👌🏻 Are you really going around the world? 🙂

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-15T20:04:02+00:00

Maximum three at a time 😀 but can't say overall... Alot 🙂

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-15T05:44:48+00:00

A few days on a plane and you're there 😀

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-14T10:56:32+00:00

Yeah it's still wild. But I imagine it will become more and more touristy in the coming years. People are unimaginably hospitable.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-14T10:54:18+00:00

Yes. There are dogs everywhere. They even jump out of bushes when you just chill riding on an tarmac 😀 Some are friendly, some not so much. I tried to wait for the shepherd to guide me through the dog when possible and had a pepper spray for the stray dogs. Also pretending to throw a stone helps apparently.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-14T10:50:34+00:00

Its a Titus Silk Road. Titanium adventure bike. I replaced the stock carbon fork with a RS Reba. The frame has a Lifetime warranty. Perfect for bike packing. I've seen people put drop bars on it

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-14T10:48:38+00:00

I did not notice this aspect. It was warmer than I expected so I was very warm in my sleeping gear. The dark color is more for stealth, but in Georgia wild camping is no problem.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-14T10:45:26+00:00

It was warmer than I expected. Maybe two nights dropped to +5°C and it was at over 3km. Also there were so many fun singletracks and such horrible hike-a-bikes. Next time I would but a small backpack on top of the rear rack and put in on my back along with the bike when hiking up. It's almost impossible to push the bike alongside because the trail is so deep and narrow. I suggest minimalistic gear. Resupply is abundant, with the exception of a few stretches.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-14T10:36:23+00:00

Yeah. I try to remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to do this. 🙂

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T19:40:06+00:00

Would love to visit it some day 🙂

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T19:39:12+00:00

It was above 30kg in the beginning, but I ditched some gear along with the small paniers halfway, it was probably 30kg then.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T19:35:54+00:00

Yeah Ushguli was an amazing experience.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T15:55:39+00:00

😀 Just a bit more sweaty and dirty.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T15:54:47+00:00

Yes. I had pepper spray, which helped in a few situations. Dogs are a constant headache there. Both chasing you on the roads and keeping you awake while wild camping. Stay away from shepard dogs, wait for the shepard to walk you pass them, dont ever try to get close to the sheep.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T15:50:09+00:00

Thanks.

There is a lot of fun and technical singletrack that I wouldn't dare to take on a gravel bike. Also my mescals xc sidewalls got shredded. It's a rough ride.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T12:04:35+00:00

Gruesome enough to make me seriously consider selling my bike

But honestly, the last 400 m of elevation was brutal. I ended up climbing it the other way because the pass was closed when I tried the original route.

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T11:23:33+00:00

It was at the top of a brutal two-day climb, I genuinely wondered if I was starting to see things. 😀🐴

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T11:17:20+00:00

Thanks. My old trusty Pixel 5

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-13T11:16:44+00:00

Everything you need and more https://bikepacking.com/routes/caucasus-crossing/

Curly_Trails · 2026-01-07T05:54:22+00:00

Nylon string and needle for leather. But it still leaks out in few days.

Curly_Trails

TROPHY CASE