Vatche Rides for Grapevines  
 by Peter Ara  Guekguezian

During Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabagh’s) war of independence from Azerbaijan, enemy troops laid waste to many of the area’s vineyards. Land mines buried in the soil prevented any attempts at restoration. Unfortunately, the grape nursery could not qualify for federal funding. Something special was needed to encourage sufficient funding from the private sector. Help came in the form of Vatche Soghomonian, a life-long supporter of Armenian causes and an avid biker. Together, Vatche and Varoujan organized a “Bike-a-Thon” to raise money for the nursery. Energy and commitment attracted a lot of supporters, many of whom sponsoredVatche's ride with pledge money. Vatche rode his bike from Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, into the southern Armenian provinces of Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Ararat, stopping at friendly places throughout the countryside to rest and enjoy the hospitality of the local populace. After two-and-a-half days, Vatche arrived in Yerevan, tired but enthusiastic. His ride was an instant success; the money from his sponsors more than met the amount needed for the nursery. To see the map, Click here

Vatche's Second Ride
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Route:
Start: Yerevan, Armenia: Finish: Yerevan, Armenia

Day 1: Yerevan to Tzakhgadzor to Sevan
Day 2: Sevan to Kamo to Sevan
Day 3: Sevan to Dilijan to Vanadzor to Haghpat
Day 4: Haghpat to Vanadzor to Spitak to Gyumri
Day 5: Gyumri to Talin to Sartarabad to Medzamor
Day 6: Medzamor to Echmiadzin to Oshakan to Yerevan

Bike-a-Thon III
Vatche is Back--And This Time, He's Got Company!

Itinerary:
Start & Finish: Yerevan, Armenia To see the article, Click here

Day 1: Yerevan to Khor Virab to Areni to Yeghegnadzor
Day 2: Yeghegnadzor to Vaik to Sisian
Day 3: Sisian to Goris to Khapan to Meghri
Day 4: Goris to Shushi to Stepanakert to Khramort to Gantzasar
Day 5: Yeghegnadzor to Martouni
Day 6: Martouni to Kamo to Sevan
Day 7: Sevan to Yeghvard to Ashtarak to Oshakan to Echmiadzin
Day 8: Echmiadzin to Armavir to Sartarabad to Yerevan

Bike-a-Thon IV

Bike-a-Thon IV: One Nation, One People
by Andranik Michaelian

Sponsored by the California-based Armenian Technology Group (ATG), Bike-a-Thon IV began with a festive atmosphere in Yerevan’s Republic Square. On hand to wish the riders a safe journey were Homenetmen scouts and guests from Fresno, including the Reverend Ara Guekguezian. Also present were Armenia’s Agriculture Minister Davit Lokyan and professionals from ATG’s Yerevan office. “I thank ATG for all their efforts in helping reinvigorate our agricultural economy,” Lokyan said. “We want to continue our cooperation, to help create jobs and reduce poverty in rural Armenia and Karabagh.”

To check out photos from the Bike-a-Thon IV, Click Here