I have read the posts on bikepacking.com and it looks amazing, but would love to hear if anyone on the forum has bikepacked them and if so did you go alone and what route did you do?
I lived in Georgia for 7 years and I'm gutted that I never had the chance to go biking (nor did I have chance to go to Svanetia).
The mountains, the scenery and the people are truely amazing.
Just watch out for any herds of sheep. There are wolves in the mountains, and the Caucasus sheep dogs are bred to fight off the wolves - so there'll rip your face off given half a chance.
And stay away from the 'cha cha' (local homebrew spirit, normally distilled from the grapeskins left over from winemaking). It can strip paint, and might make you go blind!
If you get the chance - do it.
We went to Svanetia in Georgia last year, not bikepacking, but hiking. Did an established trekking route staying in guesthouses, a bit like the Nepalese teahouse system.
I can't see any reason why you couldn't bikepack there, its years behind anywhere I've been for ages, so no problems with people getting precious about footpaths v bridleways etc.
I did see some mtb's being loaded onto the roof of a long distance bus, but a group would hire a minibus taxi cheaply. In fact everything we did seemed v. cheap, if a bit rough and ready,they are still getting the hang of the tourist/service economy.
To echo Rugbydick, it is a stunning region of a really lovely country. We are going back for more this summer. We had no bother from dogs or wolves, but one or two ropey mornings after from the chacha! Actually quite a nice drink if you like neat spirits.
Happy to try and answer any specific questions.
Thanks for the replies and vote of confidence. It looks a wonderful country with some real history and culture. I have read that you need to give the sheep dogs a wide birth.
Would you feel safe cycling solo there and do you have to be careful regarding what you eat or is it quite good. Just read too many stories from cycle travelers who pick up gastro related sickness. More so when I was researching cycling the Silk Road route.
Area I have longed to travel to after reading a rsf archive about the area
I wouldn't have any concerns from a mugging/kidnapping point of view. The police and prison system seem to be very draconian and as a result crime appeared to be very low to non existent in rural areas.
Cycling on the road would be a bit more interesting, particularly in the more built up/populated areas. It is a bit of a free for all. In the mountains, traffic density was very low and it looked like it would be safe.
Food is great with plenty for veggies to eat. In fact Georgian cuisine is a big thing with fantastic dishes made from nuts, beans and mountain cheese. Lots of local grown salad. Variable quality local wine.There is meat, but I didn't eat it. I didn't suffer any gut issues in 3 weeks eating mostly in peoples homes.
Georgians see visitors as a gift from god, so I'd have absolutely zero concerns travelling alone.
There were a few kidnappings in the lawless days post independence (up to the early 2000's) but these were mostly around Pankisi Gorge (far North East of the country) and related to Chechen terrorists coming across the border.
Generally with the dogs, if you avoid the sheep the dogs will avoid you (they're only interested in protecting the flock).
The food is great. I love khachapuri (big bread typ dish stuffed full of cheese).
Just take the usual precautions around where you source water from, but in the mountains it's usually from a spring or stream so should be fine.
I'd echo the caution around cycling on roads. The Georgians have an interesting understanding of the rules of the road...
Learn some rudimentary Georgian and you'll be flying.
Gam-ar-job-a = hello
Mad-lob-a = thank you
Loo-dee = beer
Er-ti, or-ri, sam-i = 1, 2 ,3
I'm convinced. Will be aiming to go first week of September as my original date of first week of June is probably too early in the year and I have read that some of the passes might still be impassable due to the snow.
Yeah, we were cut short by the snowline on one 3000m pass, got to about 2800m but a bit too much for us in summer footwear etc. We were there mid june. It is a fantastic country, and I think your idea of bikepacking will be amazing. Enjoy!
It is a fantastic country, and I think your idea of bikepacking will be amazing. Enjoy!
Thanks. Can't wait!
A few mates did this last year
http://robevans.london//blockquote >
Perfect. I'm looking forward to having a good read of that!