BAIKAL LAKE

Syberia, Russia

THE MOST AMAZING LAKE ON THE PLANET

Baikal holds so many records it's hard even to count them. It's far deeper than any other lake on the planet (1642m), 8th by size, but 1st by capacity. it's also biggest drinking water reservoir on the planet, holding 1/5 of all drinking water on Earth (and 4/5 of Russia's water). Its the oldest lake on the planet - 25 mln years (average lake "lives" for a dozen thousands of years).

WHY TO CYCLE IT?

In winter the lake becomes the biggest ice skating ring on the planet. It's 636km long, and most of it's surface is free of snow (because of the wind). You cannot ride alongside it, cause there are no roads and frankly there are not even trails on some parts, though each year few people walk its 2000 km shoreline.

Cycling is simply the most fun way to travel it. temperatures are not fun, though. Average day temperature was -15 to -20°C up to -35°C.