After gearing up at our HQ in Tbilisi we head towards the curvy roads West of the Capital. Through some historically German influenced towns we ride towards the Trialeti national park. A gorgeous forest with some mixed easy gravel and broken asphalt roads. Lots of fun riding with gorgeous colors all around. Towards the northern tip of the national park we encounter a Soviet era dam where time seems to have frozen. With a serpentine we head back to higher grounds and we have an overnight in the surroundings of Tsalka where we stay for lunch. After lunch we take the remains of the northern Silk Routes towards Apnia. From here it’s a beautiful gravel descent into the Vardzia valley. Vardzia is monastery ”city” build inside a huge rock. It was used as a secret hide out in case of wars. In the 11th century the front wall collapsed after an earthquake. Nowadays, you can see the hundreds of cave houses where the monks used to live. After visiting this special piece of history we head for our Valodias Cottages. A agro hotel with only fresh produce made on the premises.
Distance Covered: 220 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 55 KM/H
Highest point: 1400 M
Asphalt/Gravel: 50%/50%
We head towards the top peaks where alpine zone meets the moist Black Sea air. The drier lands around Akhaltsikhe soon make place for green lush almost Jungle-like sceneries. The alpine zones on Goderdzi offer views over snowy tops as well as the Sea on a clear day. After the pass we descent to Khulo. This is a bigger village where Ethnic Georgians, Ajarians more specifically have been predominantly Islamic for centuries living harmoniously together with Orthodox Ajarians of the lower lands. We spent the night in Khulo with the most amazing food at a camp site that is out of this world.
Distance Covered: 180 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 35 KM/H
Highest point: 2200 M
Asphalt/Gravel: 70%/30%
Today we cross the peaks of the Lesser Caucasus once again. A gorgeous 50 KM track reaching heights of 2300 M. The green views around get even more magnificent after we rise above the tree line. This gravel track is little known and its main users are shepherds, their flocks and the fierce Georgian shepherd dogs that guard both. The views on the Chidila Pass are simply magnificent. Afterwards we ride down towards Bakhmaro, a balneological spa resort that features pristine mountains and sea air. From Bakhmaro some amazing twisties on new asphalt will feel even better after the bumpy ride of today.
Distance Covered: 140 KM
Riding hours: 4
Average speed: 35 KM/H
Highest point: 2300 M
Asphalt/Gravel: 40%/60%
We head back East. From the secondary roads we pass Vani, a town famed for its many archeological findings dating back to Greek times when these lands were known as Kingdom of Colchis. From Vani we soon ride towards the mountains once again. The Zekari pass is one of our favorites gravel tracks: Different surfaces, lots of up-down serpentine action make the riding the best. It is all combined with views that are to die for. Both going up and down and even more so at the rock formations on the summit. After a small break in the Rabati Fortress we pass many castles towards the central plains of Georgia.
Distance Covered: 200 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 50 KM/H
Highest point: 1700 M
Asphalt/Gravel: 40%/60%
From Gori we head towards the Zhinvali reservoir and take the mysterious roads on the lesser known side of the reservoir. Today we make our first move into Khevshureti. One of Georgia’s less travelled regions. It is as remote as its get, the nature around is spectacular. One road in, the same road out. We follow the 80 KM dirt track passing the Medieval Shatili settlement towards Ardoti. Our guesthouse here is properly in ‘’Middle of Nowhere’. Three families live here during summer, only two people remain during the harsh winter in order to take care of the cattle. The cattle we will notice from the godly alpine dairy product that the mother cooks. The last 5 KM up to the guesthouse are though. For those not feeling up for the challenge (or even more so the way back down tomorrow) we offer parking and a lift to get up.
Distance Covered: 230 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 40 KM/H
Highest point: 2700 M
Asphalt/Gravel: 30%/70%
From Khevshureti we take the gorgeous track back down South. Views are like new and the riding even better this way. Simply a gorgeous riding day with scenery that does not get better. Once back at the reservoir we ride through the windy paved roads in the Sabaduri forest, famous for its amazing colors. From here it’s a small jump towards Tbilisi.
Distance Covered: 200 KM
Riding hours: 5
Average speed: 40 KM/H
Highest point: 2700 M
Asphalt/Gravel: 30%/70%
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