Ah Gan Conquers The “Roof of The World”

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Tackling the 1,435 kilometer Pamir Highway, the second highest highway in the world, requires sheer determination and strength, plus a highly capable and comfortable bicycle. Just three weeks ago, Ah Gan accomplished her 7-year dream and completed the 1,435 km Pamir Highway route on her Bike Friday Diamond Llama folding bike. Facing high altitudes and challenging terrain, Ah Gan’s determination and resilience were key to her success. During her 31-day journey from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Ah Gan experienced the unique beauty of Central Asia, from the stunning scenery and delicious food to the friendly locals she met.

This achievement, inspired by her earlier cycling experience in Iceland, showcased the incredible capabilities of both her body and mind.

As the dust settles from her 31-day journey, Ah Gan has started sharing more about her experience on social media, the challenges she faced on the Pamir Highway, as well as some of her favorite moments. “This Pamir Highway ride is perhaps the craziest and most terrifying challenge of my life. Being able to record every heart-breaking experience in real time and tell the story of the Pamir Highway ride to the world, with real images has been my little wish for 7 years!” Ah Gan shared via her Facebook page.

The Pamir Highway Route:

The Pamir Highway takes cyclists through some of the highest altitudes in the world, with rough terrains and unpredictable weather conditions. The Pamir Highway runs along the Panj River, through the northern segment of the ancient Silk Road trading route and alongside the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and China. Its low maintenance history results in a treacherous, desolate journey only surrounded by white-capped mountain ranges.

Ah Gan’s journey on the Pamir Highway began conservatively, planning to ride about 20-30km per day. “No matter how slow, I will always arrive [to my destination]” she reminded herself. Despite the harsh road conditions and high altitude, she quickly found she could double her original plan and comfortably ride 50-70km every day. On her longest day on the saddle, near the end of her trip, she covered 104 kilometers to reach the finish in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. There she celebrated completing her Pamir Highway Expedition.

The challenges of riding the Pamir Highway.

“Stay focused and be persistent. That is the key to make it happen!” – Ah Gan

For Ah Gan, her main worry was acclimating to the altitude as 70-80% of the Pamir Highway sits above 3,000 meters above sea level. Active construction made the challenging climbs that much harder. The Highway’s rough terrain and active construction made climbs even more challenging and the unpredictable weather and combined with the remoteness were just some of the challenges cyclists on the Pamir Highway face.

The highlights of riding the Pamir Highway.

The natural beauty along the Pamir Highway is unmatched. Cyclists ride through a rugged landscape of snow-capped mountain ranges and serene valleys, offering breathtaking views and a profound sense of solitude. Along her journey, Ah Gan also took the time to engage with locals and other cyclists, some even became Ah Gan’s friends on the Pamir Highway. She first met Jacob and Carolyn, a pair of cyclists from the United States, in the Wakhan Valley while heading towards Langar village. “Is everything okay?” Jacob asked Ah Gan, as he passed her during a climb. After all,  from his perspective, her small figure and small bike probably “made it seem like it was a child riding a bike.” A few minutes later, Carolyn arrived and joined them, and they continued on the Pamir Highway together.

Throughout the next week, fate brought them together on various sections of the Pamir Highway and its surrounding areas. They shared unique experiences, like surviving mosquito attacks at high altitudes, spotting elusive snow leopards, visiting local markets, and even stayed together with a local farming family. This experience highlights the camaraderie amongst cyclists, regardless of discipline or bike type.

The Bike Friday Diamond Llama proved to be the perfect companion for Ah Gan’s expedition. Here’s why:
  • Foldability: Despite its sturdy frame, the Diamond Llamas’s folding design allowed for easy transport and storage during the trip.
  • Durability: The steel frame is engineered to withstand the toughest terrains even when fully loaded. The Diamond Llama’s robust build handled the Pamir Highway’s rough roads with ease.
  • Utilitarian: The Diamond Llama has all of the braze-ons necessary to carry all the gear to conquer the Pamir Highway.
  • Versatile: The Diamond Llama was able to handle chunky gravel, newly laid asphalt and hard packed sand, all with loaded panniers.

Ah Gan’s Diamond Llama is outfitted with:

  • 2×9 Microshift drivetrain
  • Bike Friday front and rear rack racks
  • Packalope split bikepacking bars
  • Billy Bonkers tires
  • Front and rear panniers
  • A sweet Malaysian flag and an orange flag for extra safety

Final Thoughts and Future Plans

The last challenge of her Pamir Highway experience came right as she was getting ready to travel back to Malaysia, when her 4-month-old phone was stolen, turned off, and never found again. Despite this setback, Ah Gan’s spirit remains unbroken. Her journey on the Pamir Highway has inspired many, and she continues to share her stories and insights on social media.

Ah Gan has made it back home to Malaysia and is publishing more about her experience on the Pamir Highway on her social media. You can stay up to date with Ah Gan’s adventures via her Facebook page.

 

Explore the Bike Friday Diamond Llama and other models HERE!

 

Where would you take your Bike Friday for an epic adventure?

 


[About Beanz Adventures]

Beanz Adventures Sdn Bhd is a travel and adventure agency formed by a bunch of professional wanderlusts who love to travel and enjoy life in Malaysia. Our founder Ah Gan works as a TV production director and producer who likes to turn imagination into a real-life image, and also eager to explore different things around the world. Since her first solo backpacking in 2012, she falls in love with travelling, conquering more than 20 countries and 80 cities in just a few years. Among them the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Everest Base Camp in Tibet, Karakoram Highway in Kashgar, Aurora Borealis in the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, and the glacial lagoon in Iceland.

Keeping on her own passion to see the world differently, Ah Gan and her team then created several expeditions, including the well-received “Project Rasa Sayang”, which toured around Iceland on a folding bike. While hunting for the northern lights, they experienced camping on the land of ice and fire, further encouraging the then rookies to fearlessly achieve their dreams as an adventurer.

Who can ever say that adventures are only for the professionals?
And who made the first of each time difficult, giving up before it even started?

The world is so big, let’s set out together.

At Beanz Adventures, our mission is very simple…

“Taking you to see the world differently, and turning the impossible into possible.”

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