This route has been well written up on bikepacking.com – please read more here re this route.  This route may be ridden in either direction – you decide whether you want the big pass on the edge of Tsetserleg to be the first challenge you take on, or the final big push at the end of your trip.  Note that Cass Gilbert and crew who first published the route did begin from Tariat, despite how it reads on their blog entry. There is a 400m altitude advantage beginning from there and ending at Fairfield, and there can be an advantage with the prevailing wind from the WNW (no promises!).  Other than the 30kms nearest to Tsetserleg, the route is entirely off paved roads. While many have ridden it on gravel bikes, we believe it is best suited to mountain bikes with some suspension, and tyres no narrower than 2.5".  There are some rocky and stony sections, but the route is 100% rideable – no hike-a-bike.  Ride it independently to get away from it all, but if you would like to ride with a group and have a full support team with you, we can provide that for you, details here.