Polish Duo finds serenity pedaling on ice-bound Balkhash Lake

Rewritten Article:

Frozen Adventures: The Bold Journey Across Balkhash Lake

Imagine peddling through a vast, crystal-clear expanse, with nothing but ice beneath your tires and snow-capped mountains in the distance. That's exactly what two daring Polish cyclists, Ryszard Jakubowski and Jakub Rybicki, set out to do when they embarked on a chilly two-week mission to conquer Lake Balkhash.

Ryszard Jakubowski and Jakub Rybicki, brave cyclists with a penchant for the extraordinary. Picture Courtesy: Jakub Rybicki

In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, they recount their thrilling experiences, the challenges they encountered, and the heartwarming encounters with locals that made their arduous journey worthwhile.

Lake Balkhash, nestled in southeastern Kazakhstan, is one of the largest lakes in Central Asia, renowned for its unique natural phenomenon: its western portion contains fresh water, while the eastern portion is briny. During the winter months, the lake solidifies, transforming into a playground for skiers, runners, and, as we discovered, cyclists.

The Lake Conquest

For Rybicki, a seasoned cyclist with a knack for exploring large, frozen lakes, Lake Balkhash was the perfect candidate for a coast-to-coast conquest.

"Another giant lake covered in ice, easily accessible, and no one had cycled it before. A few attempts were made, but none succeeded. We may not have achieved that either, but we lost with style," quipped Rybicki.

Ascending the first coastline, our intrepid duo thought they had accounted for every eventuality, except one: snow.

Underneath the shimmering night sky, the frozen lake surface glowed with a crystalline brilliance. Picture Courtesy: Jakub Rybicki

The journey commenced near the village of Aktogai in mid-February, but from day one, they discovered a thick layer of snow blanketing the ice. Months of painstaking planning and preparation were hanging by a thread.

"Our bikes were tailored for ice riding. We didn't have 'fatbikes,' but the tires were wide enough for comfort on clean ice. With the snow cover, however, it became hard, and eventually, cycling was impossible," lamented Jakubowski.

After pushing their bicycles for approximately 40-60 kilometers through the snowy ice, they were compelled to abandon their dream of cycling through Balkhash.

"We spent one full day cycling, while the second day was dedicated to pushing the bikes for eight to ten hours, with little progress. After a grueling two days of struggle, we switched to the road to check if conditions improved in the next 50-100 kilometers," Jakubowski shared.

"The snow proved to be the primary obstacle," Rybicki concurred. "Cycling around a frozen lake, though cold, is not particularly extreme. With the right clothing, the cold can be manageable. But the snow? That threw us a curveball."

Origins of the Odyssey

The tale of their audacious journey begins with Jakubowski, an avid explorer who has walked thousands of kilometers across deserts, hiked picturesque trails, and canoed through the Balkans and along the Baltic Sea before embarking on a cycling adventure.

"My cycling journey began when I decided to circumnavigate Poland on foot. After walking two lengthy trails, I transitioned to a canoe and paddled along the German border and the Baltic Sea. My first significant cycling experience followed," Jakubowski explained.

Ice cycling was a new frontier for Jakubowski, unlike his partner Rybicki, who had previously cycled across the deepest lake in the world.

The allure of clear ice, boundless horizons, and the feeling of unbridled freedom lured the two Polish cyclists to Lake Balkhash. Picture Courtesy: Jakub Rybicki

"I've cycled extensively across Europe. In 2009, my friend and I made a 3,000-kilometer journey from Poland to Greece, battling blistering heat that made the asphalt melt beneath our tires. After that trip, we decided our next destination should be the polar circle, and we cycled to Murmansk the following year," Rybicki recalled.

Eng aged in the cold, it ignited a passion that would ultimately shape Rybicki's approach to adventure travel.

"For our next trip, we chose an even colder region: Baikal Lake in Siberia. We cycled approximately 900 kilometers around Baikal Lake. It's 636 kilometers long, but we made numerous detours," Rybicki added.

Standout Moments

For Jakubowski, the scenic beauty of Balkhash during his inaugural ice cycling experience left an indelible impression.

"I adored the vastness of Balkhash and the experience of being alone amidst such a mammoth lake, camping in a tent, spending a night on the lake - that was truly captivating! Cycling through a buran [snowstorm], that was an experience I'd never encountered before," Jakubowski mused.

However, it was the interactions with locals that travelers inevitably cherish. One such encounter was with Andrey, a former soldier hailing from Priozyorsk who had served in Poland. Their common connection to Poland sparked long conversations and left a lasting impact.

Interacting with residents is what travelers cherish the most. Picture Courtesy: Jakub Rybicki

"On the second day, we stayed at Andrey's home, resumed our journey, but then a buran [snowstorm] commenced, and Andrey essentially rescued us. He came with his car. We were almost at the highway when he arrived and advised against cycling in such harsh weather. He was right," Jakubowski confessed.

Marked by curious locals who were intrigued by their mission, the duo also met Polish descendants who had been transplanted to Kazakhstan during World War II.

For Rybicki, the sheer joy of logging kilometers on pristine ice was what made the trip memorable.

"I was ecstatic on the first day of actual cycling, when we started from the city of Balkhash, and we could indeed cycle and ride our bikes. The broad expanses, icy hills, and the sensation of absolute freedom - that was a thrill," Rybicki exclaimed.

"It's a beautiful, expansive lake, and the possibility of cycling on pure ice was tempting. While we didn't have much pure ice, the experience of pedaling on one enormous ice rink made me crave more of these exhilarating adventures," he added.

Future Ice Cycling Expeditions

While specific information about ice-suitable lakes in North America is sparse, choosing a lake for ice cycling typically depends on factors like ice thickness, safety, and accessibility during the winter months. Here are a few lakes and regions that might potentially offer suitable conditions:

Lake Superior: Known for its harsh winters, Lake Superior could provide the necessary conditions for ice cycling, but safety should always be a top priority.
Lake Erie and Other Great Lakes: Similar to Lake Superior, other Great Lakes like Lake Erie might offer opportunities for ice cycling during the colder season. Certify the ice is thick enough to support weight.
Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho: Bear Lake, located on the border between Utah and Idaho, could potentially see cold winters suitable for ice cycling, but conditions vary yearly, so local insight is imperative.
Lake Chelan, Washington: While not typically famous for ice cycling, Lake Chelan's colder winters might occasionally offer the right conditions. As always, ensure the ice is checked for thickness and safety.

Given the paucity of information regarding ice cycling at these lakes, prioritize safety by meticulously evaluating ice conditions and implementing proper precautions.

With their spirits undeterred, Jakubowski and Rybicki now look forward to new adventures, exploring potential ice cycling opportunities across North America and beyond.

Although their unconventional cycling mission across Lake Balkhash met an unexpected obstacle with the snowy conditions, daring cyclists Ryszard Jakubowski and Jakub Rybicki remain optimistic about future ice cycling expeditions.
With plans to explore potential ice cycling opportunities across North America, the intrepid duo aims to conquer new terrains, inspired by their arresting adventure in Balkhash.
Following their audacious expedition across Lake Balkhash, Jakub Rybicki reminisces about the unforgettable joy of pedaling on pristine ice, an experience that leaves him yearning for more exhilarating ice cycling adventures.
As they look to embark on fresh adventures, Ryszard Jakubowski and Jakub Rybicki find themselves pondering numerous ice-suitable lakes within North America, such as Lake Superior, Lake Erie, Bear Lake, and Lake Chelan, with safety remaining their top priority.