“Lining up for the Transcontinental was a multi-year process after losing the opportunity last year to being hit by a car just two weeks before. This time it was an achievement just to get to the start line! The race was a blur over 12.5 days of riding the highs and lows of ultra.” 

For much of the race, Cynthia held a close second position behind Jana Kesenheimer, even after splitting a tyre early on and losing time sourcing a replacement. In the final third of the race, a ferry crossing from Italy to Albania gave Cynthia the chance to gain back time, setting up a head-to-head battle for the win. 

“I made some good and bad decisions, skimping on sleep and stopping for some real food here and there. I dealt with a handful of flats across the continent of Europe setting me back a few hours multiple times with a new tire and tubes galore. A final flat in the last 160km dug the final hole moving me from 25km to 45km behind the eventual women’s winner Jana. The women’s race was an exciting one to be part of competing again Lael Wilcox, Jana, and Jaimi Wilson. Competition drives me and I was honoured to be pushing at the front with these ladies!” 

Despite the setbacks, Cynthia secured an incredible 2nd place finish at one of the biggest ultra races in the world, a huge achievement. 

Hikes, Peaks and River crossings in Kyrgyzstan 

Hot on the heels of the Transcontinental came a completely different challenge: the Silk Road Mountain Race. 

The route takes athletes across the beautiful and brutal expanse of Kyrgyzstan, bordered by Kazakhstan and China, this race is infamous for its extreme conditions. 

Magnificent peaks, high-altitude plateaus, hot valleys, unpredictable weather, and limited resupply points make it arguably the toughest ultra on the calendar.  

HUNT Beyond’s Miron Golfman took to the start line, drawing on the experience of two Iditarod Invitational wins in Alaska. 

Settling into a strong chase group behind eventual winner, Robin Gemperle, Miron was able to withstand the challenges of the race and finish in 3rd place. 

Here is what Miron had to say about the event: 

“So… 3rd place at Silk Road Mountain Race… pretty neat. I’m honestly pretty brain dead; my body is a swollen shell and I’m pretty sure I have pneumonia. I first heard about ultra cycling 5 years ago after watching a film about the Silk Road, so it’s pretty surreal to now be here and finish on the podium"

A huge congratulations to Miron on another epic race representing HUNT Beyond.