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The “Around Sevan” amateur cycling tour, held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, has begun, the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said in a statement.
A total of 106 people applied to participate in the two-day cycling tour, but following preparatory training, the participation of 86 of them was confirmed.
The cycling tour began at 7:30 a.m. on August 29. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is also taking part in the tour.
In the morning, Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan and Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan met with the participants and wished them success.
The participants are travelling along the planned route around Lake Sevan on their own mechanical bicycles.
The first day’s route is around 136 km and is divided into four sections: 35 km from the starting point to the first stop, 33 km from the first to the second stop, 35.4 km from the second to the third stop, and another 33 km from the third stop to the overnight accommodation site.
A gathering around a campfire is also planned for the participants in the evening.
The cycling tour will continue on August 30. The planned route consists of three sections measuring 24 km, 26.1 km and 28.7 km. Thus, on the second day, participants will cover around 79 km, reaching the finish line on the Sevan Peninsula.
Over the two days, according to the preliminary route, the cyclists will cover around 215 km around Lake Sevan.
All participants in the tour will receive certificates of participation. The event does not provide for a prize fund.
The two-day initiative aims to contribute to establishing and developing a tradition of cycling tours in Armenia, promote cycling culture and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
The event is being held ahead of the “Tour of Armenia” international multi-stage cycling race scheduled for September 10–13.
Pashinyan said in a post on his Facebook page that they had already covered a distance of 69 km. According to him, the first section of the route was 35.8 km long, which the participants completed in one hour and 20 minutes.
The second section of the route was 33 km long, which the participants also completed in one hour and 20 minutes.