Rider Profile: Sonia Simard (Kashgar – Istanbul)

For posterity, tell us your full name, age occupation and anything you’d like to tell us about yourself.

Sonia Simmard, 43 years old. I’m a lawyer originally from chicoutimi, Canada. I now live in Montreal.

Do you have any favourite ride that you do there?

The Rockies in BC is a nice ride and Glacier Valley. I love climbing. And the Blue Nile Gorge in Ehiopia, I really loved riding that.

Why did you choose the Silk Route bike tour for your next adventure?

It was good timing and a good challenge to recover from an injury. I was also very curious about Iran.

What makes you a little nervous about this trip?

I wasn’t sure that my knee could hold up after a major injury.

What do you still look forward to most?

Getting into contact with the people of Iran and seeing for myself what this country is about.

What kind of bike did you bring?

Salsa Fargo, I call it my lazy bike and I love it. It’s a slow bike but the shape of the frame makes it feel like you’re on a Harley Davidson, it’s very comfortable.

How did you train beforehand? Did you feel prepared?

Because of my injury I only had two weeks on the bike before the tour. I was able to do 60km at a time so it was more about mental training than physical training. I’m still here so it must have worked, but I don’t recommend it!

If you could give one piece of advice to someone going on their first tour with us what would it be?

Don’t arrive at 10pm the evening before departure; the jet-lag will get to you, especially when you’re heading for high altitudes. Also expect the unexpected and be flexible and gGet a reflective layer for you tent, it works in the heat and the cold. It helps to know how to change a flat as well.