More than a Bike Race but a Journey through Time
Genghis Khan (1165-1227) Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khan) was the founder of the the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in history, covering 22% of the Earth's total land area and six times the size of the Roman Empire. At its peak, the Mongol Empire stretched from the Adriatic Sea and the gates of Vienna in the West, to Korea and the Sea of Japan in the East, with 700 tribes and cities under Mongol rule.
Known in Europe and vanquished Asian territories as a blood-thirsty tyrant and the leader of the most savage conquering armies in history, but acknowledged as a hero in Mongolia, a champion of democracy, religious tolerance and equal rights for women. By unifying warring factions, peace and security was brought to 8000 kilometres of trade routes known as the 'Silk Road', laying the trade foundation for the modern world. During the time of Genghis Khan, Chinese inventions, such as printing, paper, gunpowder and the compass spread throughout the vast Empire and beyond.
Known in Europe and vanquished Asian territories as a blood-thirsty tyrant and the leader of the most savage conquering armies in history, but acknowledged as a hero in Mongolia, a champion of democracy, religious tolerance and equal rights for women. By unifying warring factions, peace and security was brought to 8000 kilometres of trade routes known as the 'Silk Road', laying the trade foundation for the modern world. During the time of Genghis Khan, Chinese inventions, such as printing, paper, gunpowder and the compass spread throughout the vast Empire and beyond.
The Mongol Empire at its Peak
Early Life
Temujin, later to become Genghis Khan (which translates to Universal Ruler), was the son of the Chief of the Yakka Mongols. He was born clutching a blood clot, a sign interpreted by a shamen, that he was destined to become a great warrior. Temujin's childhood was harsh and he was only 10 years old when his father was poisoned by a rival Mongol Tribe. Soon after, Genghis murdered his older half brother with a bow and arrow. He became Chief of his father's clan only for his own tribe to abandon him and leave him to live alone, digging roots for food and keeping sheep. He married Borte in 1179, but his camp was invaded and he was forced to abandon his wife, only managing to rescue her eight months later. Within three years, he had built an army and formed alliances to rival surrounding Mongol Tribes. He built a superior army with strict discipline and training with the prospect of rich rewards for their loyalty. Shrewd and ruthless, he soon became the undisputed ruler of Mongolia.
Invasions
Mongol Mounted Archer Europeans mistakenly believed that their knights were the ultimate warriors in the world at that time. Despite being small in number (around 700,000) and illiterate, the Mongols were hardy men, herdsmen who had grown up riding horses and hunting on the Mongolian steppes, the grassy plains north of the Gobi Desert and south of the Siberian forests. Genghis Khan united them into a fearsome and deadly force. They rode small but powerful horses and wore lightweight protection, allowing them to fight with great speed and manoeuvrability, shooting arrows en masse into the air with incredibly powerful composite bows (twice as powerful as European bows and exceptionally accurate), while being sufficiently mobile to turn in all directions on their horses. During the invasions of Northern China, Central Asia and the Middle East, the Mongols also became highly skilled in siege techniques, which was to ensure them success in several future conflicts.
Genghis turned his attention to China, which was ruled by three great empires. He quickly defeated the state of Xi Xia, before crossing the Gobi Desert, breaking through the Great Wall of China and laying siege to Beijing, the capital of the Qin dynasty. The city was demolished and its ruler, Guchluk, beheaded.
In 1218, Genghis turned west toward central Asia and Europe. His armies rampaged through Muslim lands, spreading terror and destruction. Resistance meant whole city populations would be slaughtered. Moving north into the steppes of Russia, Genghis defeated the southern Russian armies and set a precedence for future Mongol campaigns.
In 1218, Genghis turned west toward central Asia and Europe. His armies rampaged through Muslim lands, spreading terror and destruction. Resistance meant whole city populations would be slaughtered. Moving north into the steppes of Russia, Genghis defeated the southern Russian armies and set a precedence for future Mongol campaigns.
In 1219, to avenge the beheading of one of his own messengers, Genghis captured Inalchuq, the provisional Governor in Persia, and executed him by pouring molten silver into his ears and eyes. In 1221, Genghis Khan reputedly killed 1.7 million people in one hour following the killing of his favourite son-in-law. On request of his daughter, he massacred the entire population of the Persian city, Nishupur, and a pyramid of their severed heads was erected in honour of his victory.
In 1227, after quelling a Chinese uprising, Genghis, the ruler of a nation of riders, fell from his horse while riding home and died, aged around sixty five. The most successful military commander the world has ever known was dead. According to legend, Genghis Khan's last words were that he had failed to achieve his destiny - to conquer the entire world - and his dying wish was for his sons to achieve this feat. In the following years, his sons doubled the size of the Mongol Empire, conquering many new lands, including Russia, Poland and Hungary.
In 1227, after quelling a Chinese uprising, Genghis, the ruler of a nation of riders, fell from his horse while riding home and died, aged around sixty five. The most successful military commander the world has ever known was dead. According to legend, Genghis Khan's last words were that he had failed to achieve his destiny - to conquer the entire world - and his dying wish was for his sons to achieve this feat. In the following years, his sons doubled the size of the Mongol Empire, conquering many new lands, including Russia, Poland and Hungary.
Burial
Legend attests to the fact that the burial site of Genghis Khan was to remain a mystery so his rest would not be disturbed, ensuring a peaceful afterlife. The slaves who dug his grave and the 2,000 people who attended his funeral were killed by 800 soldiers, who were, in turn, executed themselves. Thousands of horses trampled the burial site and it is believed a river may have been diverted to flow over the site. One legend tells of the grave being discovered 30 years after Genghis Khan's death and a young camel killed and buried beside the Khan. The grieving mother would return regularly to the grave of its young until its own death when the grave was to be lost forever.
According to a 2003 study, 1.6 million people (or 0.5% of males worldwide) are descendants of Genghis Khan, due to his far-flung travels, several wives and insatiable appetite for women. Although Borte was his only official wife, he followed tradition by taking several morganatic wives and a plethora of concubines. In 1260, thirty-three years after his death, there were around 20,000 blood members of his family.
According to a 2003 study, 1.6 million people (or 0.5% of males worldwide) are descendants of Genghis Khan, due to his far-flung travels, several wives and insatiable appetite for women. Although Borte was his only official wife, he followed tradition by taking several morganatic wives and a plethora of concubines. In 1260, thirty-three years after his death, there were around 20,000 blood members of his family.
Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue Mistakenly believed to be Genghis Khan's birthplace, the 40 metre tall statue, where the GENCO Mongolia Bike Challenge begins, is actually the site where legend suggests he found a golden whip (a lucky omen in Mongolia), inspiring the fifteen year old Temujin to conquer much of the known world. Located fifty-four kilometres east of the capital UlaanBaator and pointing east towards Genghis's birthplace, the statue complex cost the GENCO Tour Bureau $US 4 million.
The Peak of the Mongol Empire
Kublai Khan (1215-1294) Known as the greatest Mongol Emperor, Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan and the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. After Genghis's death, his descendants carried out invasions in all directions but feuded over Royal succession. This led to civil war and four separate empires were eventually created. Kublai Khan completed the conquest of China in 1279, after defeating the third great empire, the Song dynasty in the south. He created the winter capital in Cambaluc (on the site of present-day Beijing). Finally, with all of China in Mongol hands, the Empire had reached its peak. Kublai founded the Yuan Dynasty in China and became the overlord of all the Mongol dominions. In an attempt to extend the empire, wars against Japan and Burma proved fruitless, as the Mongol soldiers fought unsuccessfully at sea and in the tropical climates of South East Asia.
Kublai Khan (known as Setsen Khan or 'Wise Khan') was a strong and fearless warrior but also intelligent and a great statesman, and exercised greater tolerance than his predecessors and even permitted the existence of several religions. One of Kublai's advisers told him "I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback" and, unlike his contemporaries, Kublai actually acted upon this belief. He was a beloved leader to both the Mongols and the Chinese and he became the longest-ruling Khan of the Mongol Empire. Kublai met Marco Polo in the 1270's and the Italian explorer described him as the model of a universal sovereign with humanity and genorosity of spirit. Marco Polo even encouraged Europeans to explore the possibilities of trade with the Orient, including Christopher Columbus, whose search for the Orient by sea route resulted in him mistakenly discovering the Americas in 1492. Kublai reestablished unity within China and helped spread the advances of its brilliant and progressive civilisation.
Kublai Khan (known as Setsen Khan or 'Wise Khan') was a strong and fearless warrior but also intelligent and a great statesman, and exercised greater tolerance than his predecessors and even permitted the existence of several religions. One of Kublai's advisers told him "I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback" and, unlike his contemporaries, Kublai actually acted upon this belief. He was a beloved leader to both the Mongols and the Chinese and he became the longest-ruling Khan of the Mongol Empire. Kublai met Marco Polo in the 1270's and the Italian explorer described him as the model of a universal sovereign with humanity and genorosity of spirit. Marco Polo even encouraged Europeans to explore the possibilities of trade with the Orient, including Christopher Columbus, whose search for the Orient by sea route resulted in him mistakenly discovering the Americas in 1492. Kublai reestablished unity within China and helped spread the advances of its brilliant and progressive civilisation.
The Decline of Empire
In the 14th Century, with no unity in culture, corrupt government and incompetent administration, the great Mongol Empire would fall apart after less than 150 years in existence and by the 17th Century, much of the Mongol Empire had disappeared. In 1911, China became independent and regarded Mongolia as theirs. The southern section, inner Mongolia, was an integral part of China, while the northern section, outer Mongolia (roughly corresponding to the modern nation) remained out of Chinese control. A communist republic was established in 1924, aligned with the USSR.
Mongolia was isolated from non-communist countries, the nobility wiped out, religion suppressed and Mongolian culture denied expression.
In 1990, the first elections were held and communism was rejected. Mongolia is currently enjoying a mining boom in copper, gold and coal. Indeed, since 2003, GDP has doubled and tourism is on the rise.
Mongolia was isolated from non-communist countries, the nobility wiped out, religion suppressed and Mongolian culture denied expression.
In 1990, the first elections were held and communism was rejected. Mongolia is currently enjoying a mining boom in copper, gold and coal. Indeed, since 2003, GDP has doubled and tourism is on the rise.
A Journey Back in Time
The Mongolian Bike Challenge is a unique racing experience that will transport riders back to a time when life was much harsher and far more brutal. Mongolia is a sparsely populated country, where a third of the population is under fifteen and modern life expectancy is just 64.9 years. Due, in part, to its isolation in Communist times, many aspects of Mongolia's 500,000 year old culture still remain and its nomadic tribes enjoy a lifestyle reminiscent of days long since gone. During the adventure, mountain bikers will find it almost impossible to escape the feeling of being transported back to a way of life long lost in the mists of time. Constant reminders of Mongolia's rich, sometimes savage, but always fascinating history abound in an ancient landscape, dotted with Gers (Yurts), or felt-lined tents, nomadic families and their herds, a thirteenth Century National Park reminiscent of the time of Genghis Khan and, of course, the Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue, representing the legend behind one of the most incredible Empires to have ever existed.
RSS Feed
