Siberian Ice rider Lake Baikal, Russia
Quite possibly the most extreme adventure since Shackleton’s polar expeditions, the Ice Run sees motorbike riders careening across a frozen landscape in the depths of Russia’s winter.
Form your own team of two and hop aboard a Ural motorcycle to traverse the world’s largest, deepest and oldest lake – a body of water so vast that it’s often mistaken for a sea – in temperatures that can reach –27°C.
Three days of training preps bikers for the Siberian slog-athon; sharp gusts of 20 different winds can abruptly materialise, threatening to freeze your face; snow is pockmarked with patches of polished ice, creating a veritable skating rink; and the barren landscape, almost entirely devoid of landmarks, means riders have almost no sense of perspective.
Come the big ride, the frosty beauty of Lake Baikal will take your breath away – if the freezing temperatures haven’t already – while the camaraderie will warm your heart, even if every other part of your body is frozen.
The entry fee is US$4360 per duo.
The adventurists
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The entry fee is US$4360 per duo, which gets you a bike and all your training.
Competitors are also encouraged to raise at least US$593 for the charity Cool Earth.