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Starting point: STEPANAGERD
Ending point: SISSIAN
Bike—105km./66mi.; Drive—170km./106mi.; Total—275km./172mi.

Today the riders and their small contingent of cameramen, journalists, drivers, and guests enjoyed the lush, mountainous nature and historic monuments of Karabagh. From Stepanakert, we traveled to Gandzasar Monastery, a jewel of Armenian architecture from the Middle Ages. Der Hovhannes greeted the cyclists and thanked them for all they were doing for Karabagh’s agricultural economy. The priest told the history of the monastery, and about its builder, Jalal Ishkhan, then showing his burial place at the entry of the St. Hovhannes Mkrtich church. Outside, we ate ripe mulberries from a tree in the courtyard, and saw how the church and surrounding buildings were rebuilt after the war. Bidding farewell, we drove to Khramort, site of the ATG-sponsored grape nursery, started in 1998 and given a huge boost by funds gathered after the first Bike-a-Thon in 1999. After meeting with nursery workers in a shaded area, we walked the entire distance of the nursery, as ATG’s Karabagh director, Vladimir Zakiyan, explained the work being completed and showed us the different varieties of grapevines produced, including “khndoghi,” a variety specific to Karabagh. He said he hoped to be able to improve the grafting techniques, to produce enough vine cuttings to supply all of Karabagh’s vineyards. Vatche Soghomonian, who had ridden the 1999 “Capital to Capital” Bike-a-Thon, commented that it was wonderful to see the nursery grow to what it is today and to see improvements each year. From the nursery, we passed through Stepanakert and headed back to Berdzor, Goris, and, finally, Sissian.

Route	Distance km. (mi.)
Stepanagerd to Gantzasar Vank (bike)	50 (31)
Gantzasar Vank to Khramort (bike)	55 (34)
Khramort to Stepanagerd (drive)	25 (16)
Stepanagerd to Sissian (drive)	145 (91)
Stepanagerd to Sissian	275 (172)

Location	Altitude met. (ft.)
Stepanagerd	850 (2805)
Gantzasar Vank	950 (3135)
Khramort	450 (1485)
Stepanagerd	850 (2805)
Sissian	1600 (5280)

Itinerary:

• ATG-related Sites:
  • Khramort Grape Nursery, funded by both the first and the present Bike-a-Thon
• Tourist Sites:
  • St. John’s monastery in Gantzasar Vank (12th century)
  • Karahunj, the “Armenian Stonehenge”
• Meeting(s):
  • Reverend Hovhannes at St. John’s monastery
  • ATG Nursery Workers in Khramort
  • Karabagh Minister of Agriculture in Stepanagerd
• Hotel:
  • Dina hotel in Sissian

 

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If you wish to participate in any part of the upcoming Bike-a-Thon IV, please e-mail us at info@atgusa.org.

For more information about how you can help rural Armenia, contact the ATG office at (559) 224-1000 or by e-mail (info@atgusa.org). Tax-deductible donations can be sent to ATG; 1300 E. Shaw, Suite 149; P.O.Box 5969; Fresno, CA 93755-5969.
You may also donate to ATG online.