Starting point: ECHMIADZIN
Ending point: YEREVAN
Bike—100km./63mi.; Total—100km./63mi.

From Ashtarak, we wound our way through the village of Oshakan, where we visited the burial place of St. Mesrop, inventor of the Armenian alphabet. Outside the church, we met with students who had traveled by bus from Hrazdan to Oshakan to pay respect to St. Mesrop. Leaving Oshakan, the cyclists set out for Sardarapat, where they would see the place Armenians defended their homeland against Turkish invaders in the famous 1918 battle of Sardarapat. As the riders reached Sardarapat, bells began ringing, as they rang in Sardarapat and Echmiadzin in 1918, calling the people to battle. With Mt. Ararat watching over us, we walked the grounds, met with workers, ate apricots and plums, and had lunch in the restaurant before walking through the fascinating historical museum, featuring old work tools, weapons, old photographs, and ancient pottery and vases. Leaving this important historical site, we took the road towards Echmiadzin, stopping along the way at Aratashen village, where long-time ATG wheat farmer Valodya Khachatryan treated the riders to fresh fruit and mineral water, thanking ATG personnel for their help in strengthening the wheat industry in Armenia. From Aratashen, we drove to Echmiadzin, the center of Armenian Christianity, where we walked the monastery grounds, paying special respect to our beloved Catholicos’ of the past, including Khrimian Hayrik, Vazken I, and Garegin I, all buried near the cathedral entrance. Our final day coming to a close, we rode along the Echmiadzin Road towards Yerevan, where we were joined along the way by young boys from the Yerevan Bicycle Club. Together, and led by Vatche Soghomonian and bicycle club trainer Martin Sharbatyan, who had joined the riders during the entire week-long journey, the riders triumphantly entered Yerevan, entering the bicycle club compound, where we were all treated to a champagne and fruit reception, sad that the week had come to an end but happy to have done what we could for Armenia.

To see a map of the route, click here

Itinerary:

• Closing of the Bike-a-Thon:
  • Return to Republic Square in central Yerevan
  • End of ride dinner with Yerevan Cycling Club
• ATG-related Sites:
  • ATG/SPSA Seed Farm and ATG warehouse and seed cleaning station in Armavir
• Tourist Sites:
  • St. Echmiadzin Cathedral (4th Century)
  • Sartarabad Monument, birthplace of the First Armenian Republic (May 28, 1918)
  • the cemetery of Mesrop Mashtots (4-5th century), inventor of the Armenian alphabet, in Oshagan
• Meeting(s):
  • His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, in St. Echmiadzin Cathedral (hopefully)
• Hotel:
  • Back to each rider’s own previously reserved hotel

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.