"All negative thoughts evaporate": Cyclist Denis Ignatov rode from Moscow to Vladivostok in 86 days.
Cyclist Denis Ignatov successfully completed a massive cross-country ride and reached Vladivostok. Having covered over 9000 kilometers in 86 days, he proved that such a route is within the reach of any determined person. According to the tourist, any self-respecting cyclist should attempt this challenging yet inspiring route at least once.
Pedal therapy and road support
In an interview with journalists, Denis said that such long trips help him completely escape from everyday problems and the noise of information. Furthermore, he received active support from concerned citizens throughout the entire journey.
"I always feel great on these trips; all negative thoughts evaporate. You don't read political news at times like these, and let me tell you, it quickly leads to a bad mood. And people help me along the way: on the highway, in the city. Everyone wants to be a part of my journey," Denis Ignatov told NeMoskva.
Ignatov had previously cycled around the Golden Ring and traveled through Altai to Mongolia. However, despite his extensive hiking experience, he had never covered such long distances. He mostly camped in tents right along the roads, sometimes in hostels, and three times during his journey, locals invited him to stay overnight.
Key takeaways from the extreme race
However, by the end of the third month of continuous travel, the athlete began to feel noticeably tired. Ultimately, he drew an important conclusion about the maximum length of such expeditions.
"Now I've realized for myself that the most ideal travel time is two months. After the third month, the trip turned into a routine. I just have to get there and that's it, so I pedal. There's not much pleasure left," the traveler says.
This year, however, the entire race went off without a hitch. Fortunately, he encountered no wild animals on the trail, and he only removed two ticks from his clothes, which turned out to be harmless. His family understands his hobby, although his mother still worries a lot.
"They understand that I won't go anywhere that could be potentially dangerous. And my mother, no matter where I go, is always in a panic; she can't get used to it, she can't wait for it all to be over. And on August 16th, I have to go to work—I'll board a plane in Vladivostok and back. The bike definitely won't survive that kind of return journey," Ignatov says.
Extreme travel season in Russia
This year, other Russians have also embarked on large-scale and adventurous journeys. For example, Vladimir Mishin is currently cycling from Vladivostok to Cape Town, and Yuri Skorobogatov set off on a stand-up paddleboard from Transbaikal to the Sea of Okhotsk. Meanwhile, Albert Okotetto, a Nenets, completed an ultramarathon from Moscow to Yamal.
However, not all rides end successfully. In particular, 85-year-old cyclist Yulia Mikhailyuk from Tver was unable to complete her ride to Sakhalin due to aggressive behavior by drivers on the road.
