(M) Naomi Freireich - "A Gobi Desert World First"

You are invited to this member-exlusive event where we'll be hearing from Naomi Freirich - a multiple UK & European mountain biking champion as she prepares to attempt a world first - to traverse the Gobi Desert by bike. 

Grab yourself a coffee / beer / wine / juice and listen to Naomi talk us through the risks and opportunities for this epic adventure. There will be an opportunity for Q&A towards the end so get your thinking caps on! 

WHAT IS GOBI?

Gobi, a term first noted on a French map in 1706, is defined in many different ways: as a gravel landscape without water, as a ‘treeless terrain without marmots and little surface water’, as a desert area waiting to be watered.

The Gobi Desert is the largest in Asia and fifth largest desert in the world, and its most northerly, spanning the length of Mongolia, at an elevation of approximately 1500 metres, between the Altai and Khangai mountain ranges. It is a wide-open place of huge extremes: mostly it is one huge gravel plain quite unlike any other desert on earth.

Despite its extreme temperatures, − 38°C at its coldest to over 40°C in summer, and lack of rainfall, less than 40 mm in extreme arid areas, the Mongolian Gobi Desert currently supports more than 30 mammals, herptiles, and birds listed as nationally threatened or endangered, including the world’s largest remaining populations of Asiatic wild ass or khulan, wild Bactrian camel, Gobi brown bear, Siberian ibex, Goitered gazelle and Mongolian gazelle. The low mountain ranges also support one of the most stable and productive populations of Snow Leopards. Sadly the desert is growing as a result of climate change, mining, and an increasing number of domesticated animals, mainly goats. The

wild creatures are losing their habitat, and the vegetation type is decreasing.

THE EXPEDITION

In August 2022 Naomi Freireich will be attempting a world first traverse of the Gobi desert by bicycle.

• 1,850 kilometres
• Extreme temperatures
• Self-sufficient

Starting in Khovd Bulgan in the West of Mongolia, this 1850km traverse will use nomadic trails, ancient footpaths and gravel tracks to cross the Gobi Desert to Saynshand in the East. Due to the extremes of temperature and high winds, the terrain is ever changing and the expedition faces challenges both in terms of carrying sufficient kit to cope with the extremes of temperature but also sufficient water for long periods without access to a source. This will be a test of resilience, endurance and adaptability.

Naomi will be self-supporting, carrying everything that she requires for the world first crossing of the Gobi Desert, and attempting to complete the crossing in under 14 days. She will be followed by an emergency support vehicle and photographer to document the crossing.

ABOUT NAOMI

Naomi Freireich is a 3 time UK 24 hour MTB Champion, 2018 European 24 MTB Champion and endurance cyclist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has participated in endurance races such as the Silk Road Mountain Race and GBDURO, both of which equip her with the knowledge and experience to take on such an expedition. An application for a Guinness Book of Records world first has been made.

Naomi is very active on social media, with almost 6000 followers on Instagram  and regular impressions on posts in excess of this. She also is a regular guest on the Wiggle Pro show and will be talking about her expedition with them.

Naomi is supported by Mason Cycles and GORE Wear for this expedition.

Event Organiser: Roy Milne

If you would prefer, you can email questions to be asked ahead of the event - info@ScottishAdventure.org