Ride for Armenia--Bike-a-Thon VI

Bike-a-Thon VI

Dates: August 18-23, 2008.

Summary: Armenia Bike-a-Thon VI was bigger and more exciting than ever. Riders circumnavigated nearly the entire country of Armenia and entered Karabagh as well.

In addition, they visited areas in the countryside in which ATG has worked to reduce poverty and hunger by boosting agricultural production and creating jobs. Sites visited included wheat farms that have benefited from ATG's seed multiplication program, milk cooling tank facilities, vegetable farms, and a grape nursery. In addition, riders stopped at historical and cultural sites, met rural residents, and joined cyclists from Armenia taking part in the tour.

Highlights of the Ride: We started from downtown Yerevan, Armenia in front of the Marriot Hotel and climbed to Lake Sevan, where we rested and enjoyed wonderful freshly caught fish. We biked along the western shore of the lake, visiting the khatchkars of Noradus and continue down to Marduni.

This route took us along the same passage as the ancient Silk Road to the medieval rest stop where once caravans used to stop for the night overlooking the picturesque mountain valley of Vaik region.

The cyclists also visited the "Armenian Stonehenge" of Karahunj, which is 3,500 years older than the British Stonehenge and 3,000 years older than the Egyptian pyramids.

We then biked through Karabagh from Shushi and Stepanagerd up to the 13th century Gandzasar monastery. Along the road, the cyclists had the opportunity to see the results of ATG's humanitarian efforts that include wheat fields where they will visit with farmers who are growing grain to feed their families.

Visiting the grape nursery was another experience for the cyclists who saw how the ATG projects are helping the people rebuild their livelihood and rejuvenating hundreds of acres of centuries-old wine grapes. The cyclists sampled the locally vinted wine, too!

The cyclists enjoyed the scenic mountains and valleys of this ancient land. The tour would not be complete without tasting the heavenly flavor of the blessed, all-natural organic honey from the hills of the Gandzasar monastery.