By Anahid Yeremian

The sixth Annual bike-a-thon from August 10 through 13 to raise funds for the scientists of the Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Yerevan Physics Institute(www.crdfriends.org) was another smashing success under the leadership of the world renowned cycling coach, Mr. Albert Soloyan.  This year’s bike-a-thon had an added goal of supporting cyclists in Armenia.

The veteran riders from the Abovyan Cycling School and the youngest of the youngest riders joined us at different stages of the ride.  We stayed at an amazing hotel called “Maisian Kamourj” in Ijevan during our ride.  The owner of the hotel, Mr. Vahagn, was extremely kind and generous toward us.  For the price of an average dinner in Menlo Park per night, we were fed three hardy meals a day, had comfortable beds to sleep in, and unlimited access to the pool and game room.

Our ride started at the Haghardzin monastery on August 10, with a steep downhill to the main road. From there we rode to Ijevan on a relatively flat road with gentle hills.  After dinner, Mr. Soloyan took us to the Varagavank monastery on top of another mountain in the support van, something I personally welcomed.  On the next day we rode to Goshavank and the day after to Makaravank; both extremely steep climbs.  I confess, on some of the very steep parts I had to be rescued by the support van, but the boys were awesome and rode all the way. 

On the road from Hakhardzin to Ijevan

On the final day we rode to the city of Abovyan.  The steep climb to Dilijan was a killer.  I once more I had to be rescued by the support van, but those boys, so tenacious and focused climbed all the way on their bikes.  From Dilijan to Abovyan it was a relatively flat or downhill experience with just a few very shallow climbs which I could manage.  At the edge of the city of Abovyan, the youngest of the Abovyan riders, ages 7 to 10 and as tall as the bikes they were riding, joined us. Together we rode to Abovyan City Hall where Mayor Vahagn Gevorgyan welcomed us to his city.

We raised much needed funds for the Cosmic Ray Division to repair the snow machine which had slid down the mountain to the valley below during this winter’s shift change to the Aragats Cosmic Ray Research station at 10,500 ft. elevation, as well as to support some of the championship quality cyclists with needed equipment so that they can continue to raise the Armenian flag at cycling races with their medal-worthy performances

As we say each year, “This year’s bike-a-thon was the best of all”.  We expect to top the experience next year and hope that many of you will join us. 

First photo: The finish at the Abovyan City Hall.  Mayor Vahagn Gevorgyan (middle in red shirt), to his right renowned cycling coach and leader of our ride, Mr. Albert Soloyan, and to his right the coach of the Abovyan Cycling School, Mr. Armen Yeritsyan.