Four Bikers Adventures on the Trail to Kazbegi (VIDEO)

What happens when four-like minded adventurers head into one of the world’s wildest mountain ranges with nothing but their mountain bikes and enough food to survive for 10 days?

Three American and one Canadian biker came together to explore one of the most mountainous regions of Georgia, the Kazbegi region and complete an experimental journey.

Adventure filmmaker Joey Schusler, Bike magazine editor Brice Minnigh, photographer Ross Measures and mountain man Sam Seward spent half of June 2015 exploring the crown jewels of the Georgian High Caucasus for a feature assignment in Bike.

During the adventure the four-man team suffered terrifying lightning storms, raging river crossings, snow-covered glacial passes, mind-melting descents, constant battles with vicious dogs and tense encounters with over-zealous border-patrol guards.

All of the above were just a normal day following “The Trail to Kazbegi”, a self-supported mountain-bike mission though the highest reaches of the Caucasus Mountains in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia.

Along the way the crew overcame countless obstacles and experiences some of the most spectacular scenery and trails they had ever encountered. They were also treated to the unparalleled hospitality of the Georgian people and the benign indifference of the elements on their quest to reach the magnificent Mount Kazbek.

“Despite all of the anticipated difficulties, our four-man team was strong and our spirits were high. Each member of the crew had been handpicked by our ringleader, 25-year-old Colorado native Joey Schusler, a World Cup downhiller turned enduro racer who spends his free time making films about adventures in the mountains. My tent mate, Sam, a long-time friend of Joey's and one of his trusted traveling partners, brought his considerable climbing and backcountry skiing experience to the effort. And 28-year-old Canadian Ross Measures, a former pro who cut his riding teeth on the legendary North Shore trails of his Vancouver backyard, would serve as a photographer and back-up videographer,” Brice Minnigh stated.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Bikes are a wonderful way to explore the world. They are an elegant, efficient, and exhilarating tool for adventure. You can cover a large sum of ground in a single day, gorge on fresh oxygen for hours on end, take in exquisite views and enjoy the simple thrill of riding that so many of us can relate to,” Joey Schusler added.

During the adventure the team cemented lasting friendships and proved, yet again, that life is simply better in the mountains.

Photo by JOEY SCHUSLER