Starting point: YEREVAN
Ending point: GYUMRI
Bike—130 km./81 mi.; Total—130 km./81 mi.

Bike-A-Thon IV got off to a rousing start, with a crowd of well-wishers including a contingent of Fresno Armenians led by Reverend Ara Guekguezian, Agriculture Minister Davit Lokian, and several Homenetmen scouts gathering in Republic Square to wish the riders a safe journey and success in their quest to help revitalize agriculture in Armenia and Karabagh. The cyclists pedaled from Yerevan north to Ashtarak, where they visited the site of the anti-hail cannons in the village of Ardashavan. There, they met with the project director, who thanked ATG for their help in funding the project. From Ashtarak, the riders made their way north towards Gyumri, stopping along the way at the Horom Bridge, where ATG farmers were waiting with a reception where village girls and boys in traditional costume offered bread and salt, the riders enjoying fresh fruit and joining the villagers in the Kochari, the famous dance of unity. ATG personnel then surprised the children with a box of raisins, donated by farmers from Fresno to the children of Armenia. Wishing their new friends farewell, the riders traveled on to the village of Akhourian, where the village mayor greeted the bicyclists at the site of the newly-arrived milk-cooling tank, made possible by funds raised by the 2003 Bike-a-Thon. The riders then moved on to an ATG wheat field and experimental plot in the village of Karnoot, near mountains separating the provinces of Shirak and Lori. In the field, long-time ATG agronomist Gagik Mkrtchyan explained the important work being completed in ATG’s famous Wheat Seed Project, with farmers in remote regions being offered the best varieties of good, fresh wheat seed. After a reception organized by Garnoot farmers, the riders journeyed on to Gyumri, where they met and enjoyed dinner with the mayor and other city officials.

To see a map of the route, click here

Itinerary:

• Opening of the Bike-a-Thon:
  • Ride begins from Republic Square in Yerevan at 9AM, with Armenian Minister of Agriculture Davit Lokyan in Yerevan, and Jerry Tarkanian, legendary Armenian-American basketball coach in Yerevan, among other guest and dignitaries
• ATG-related Sites:
  • ATG-funded Anti-hail cannon stations in Ashtarak and Artashavan (10 miles from Saghmosavank)
  • Anti-hail cannons in Ohanavan, Saghmosavan and Karbi villages
  • Ribbon-cutting ceremony for milk containers in Akhurian, funded by previous Bike-a-Thon
• Tourist Sites:
  • Saghmosavank monastery (13th century) in Saghmosavank
  • Museums of Avetik Isahakyan, Shiraz, and Merkalov in Gyumri
• Meeting(s):
  • Former ATGF and present SPSA farmers from Nor Kyank and Meghrashen villages on the main road to Akhurian
  • Minister of Agriculture Lokyan in Akhurian at 5 PM to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the milk containers
  • Staff of the Social Services Center regarding Raisin Distribution in Gyumri, supplied by California farms through ATG
• Hotel:
  • Isuz hotel in Gyumri

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.