Will Miller . an ex-Army Commando, Engineer and Officer from Chester is cycling 9000km unsupported across the Silk Road from Uzbekistan to Turkey to raise money for the North West Air Ambulance.

Last year, Will’s dad died of a heart attack. He was cycling in the Lake District on one of the UK’s toughest climbs, Hardknott Pass. He was a huge part of the river community, having trained with the Royal Chester Rowing Club for years. Despite his remote location, a doctor was on-site within an hour via air ambulance. Says Will : “It is a small but real comfort knowing that everything possible was done, and I want to give that same lifeline back to someone else by raising money to support the Air Ambulance – an organisation who rely entirely on private donations.”

On 31st July Will is flying to Tashkent to start his cycle across the Silk Road. The trip will take me through the Pamir Mountains, the deserts of Uzbekistan, the Caucuses and Turkey. “I have 3 months to make it as far as possible, and hope to use this experience to shine a light on this remote and little-understood region.

“I’ve picked a route that crosses the ex-Soviet republics of the Stans. In an increasingly interconnected world, the vast steppes, mountains and deserts of Central Asia have ensured that the Stans remain some of the most remote countries in the world. Only the occasional trading post interrupts these voids. Whilst Turkey remains my stated goal, getting even just a tiny insight to this region is the true aim of this trip. I’ll need to carefully balance distance on the bike each day with taking time to explore and understand.”

The journey will take in many legs and obstacles. First up will be crossing the vast Pamir mountains. These mountains form the Western edge of the ridge that becomes the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas. Altitude will also be a factor, with several passes over 4000m above sea level.

Next up will be the Deserts of UzbekistanHere, ancient Silk Road trading posts appear like oases. There is a huge amount of history in these bustling market towns – a stark contrast to the lonely and isolated roads of the deserts. This leg ends at the Kazakh port town of Aktau, on the Eastern edge of the Caspian Sea.

After a ferry to Azerbaijan, the land between the Caspian and Black Seas will form Will’s next challenge. The region is dominated by the Caucasus mountains, of with Mt Elbrus is the highest at 5642m. T This leg will end in Batumi on the shores of the Black Sea. Finally Will will enter Turkey, aiming for Istanbul for his finish line.

Will has spent the last year planning his journey and will be carrying a Garmin InReach that will allow satellite communication from anywhere in the world.

” North West Air Ambulance receive no public funding – they rely entirely on donations. They provide a vital service for their community and I want to do my part to help keep them going. Therefore, I will give every single pound I raise for this journey to the North West Air Ambulance, in order to give back the same comfort and lifeline that I was given last year. Any donation, big or small is appreciated. Let’s keep this incredible initiative going.”

https://whichwaytoturkey.wordpress.com/

To donate visit : https://www.justgiving.com/page/which-way-to-turkey