Nepal, another Himachal?

I sent my MTBing Himachal kakis a post about an upcoming MTB race in Nepal.

This was a response I got from a skeptic teammate who endured the epic journey through the "mountain biking trails of Himachal", only to be severely disappointed! I guess the memory of MTB Himachal 2006 lingers on.....

I remind him that it is not politically correct to compare gurkhas with the kachiamputehman....

...but I'm sure he writes with sweet fondness with a hint of nostalgic yearning to relive our experience once again! I truly miss our Indian MTBing experience...honest! :)

Note of caution : Pls do not let this posting put you off participating in the Nepal MTB Race! This was written merely in jest, and from the friends we have made in India, there will be no end to chuckling! :)

I'm sure MTB Nepal will be one hell of a good race! Good luck to the organisers and to the participants! If you took part in this race, do drop a line and tell us how it went!

"Let me do you all a big favour and introduce my "you don't know what the hell you're getting yourselves into" translation service. See below (in red):

The race starts from the playground (dump) at Syabru Beshi at an elevation of 1460 meters and passes through small hamlets, terraced green fields (that's 1).

The first section of the race follows a motor able dirt road (goat track with stones the size of footballs) and is fairly easy (by mountain goat standards) passing through verdant midlands of Nepal. However there is a (#$%!!!) steep uphill gradient passing through lush green forests (oh did we forget to mention the bears?).

We pass through a small pass of Rongga Bhanjyang at 2187 (or 2887 but who's counting) meters. We continue ascending (abuthen) through terraced fields (that's 2) until we reach the first check point at Chaurhattar at 2271 (or 3271) meters.

We continue on the motor able road and reach the tiny settlement of Godam at 2436 (more like 5436) meters. We have our first medical team on hand here supported by the local health post for and eventualities (don't you just love understatement). From here we leave the dirt road and head north following a walking trail (did we mention the possibility of a bike and hike) towards our 2nd check point at Gatlang.

The route passes through terraced fields (that's 3) as it snakes downhill until it reaches the sleepy hamlet of Gatlang at 2238 meters which boasts of a school, post office and hotels (all in the same building).

From here the trail descends dramatically (straight down). It is a steep downhill ride (yep, definitely hike a bike) and the most challenging part of the whole race following a narrow but well beaten (by goats only) path. It is a technical ride (no shit Sherlock!) that entails navigating rocky staircases and steep downhill inclines on highland trails (finally, there's truth in advertising).

En route due to very steep inclines, the participants will have to carry their bikes on their backs (yeah, told you so) for a short while (or about 8 to 10 kms but who's counting, certainly not the organisers) to negotiate the steep (duh!) slopes. We follow terraced fields (I could have sworn that we've seen this somewhere before; that's 4) across beautiful landscape dotted with chortens (Nepalese for "bleeding raging bulls") along the Bamdang Khola until we reach a bridge where our 3rd check point is set before entering the village of Thambuchet at 1768 meters. Thamuchet is a small village on the banks of the Chilime Khola where the Chilime hydro project is based.

We have another medical team on hand here supported by the local health post workers. From here we again continue to climb (probably 2000m of vertical) on a motor able dirt road towards our final stop at Goljung (ETA 10pm, long after the sun has set) spread over an open valley. We have our final medical team (and undertakers) on hand to monitor all the participants at the end of the race. (what??? no more terraced fields?!)

RACE FACTS:
Starting point: Syabru Beshi
1st Check point: Chaurhattar1st
Medical team: Godam
2nd Check point: Gatlang
3rd Check point: Thambuchet
2ndMedical team: Thambuchet
End Point: Goljung
3rd Medical team: Goljung

AREA: Tamang Heritage Trail, Langtang Region

TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE: Approx 28 Kms (or maybe 104 Kms but we don't count all these other bits that we've probably missed out)

GRADING: Strenuous (freaking death march)

QUALIFICATION: Anyone above the age of 18 years with a sound health and mind (but how is that possible if you want to enter this race?) can participate in the race. Previous biking not mandatory (HA! HA! HA! HA!) but experience is an added bonus.

ESTIMATED RACE TIME: 3 (or 10) hrs

ALTITUDE VARIATION: 1460 -2436m

RACE DATE: 29th April

PARTICIPATION FEES: Rs. 500 for Nepalese and US$ 99 for foreigners (but we give you discount if you book non aircon bus with us)

MINIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 50

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 25th of April

RACE:
The race has been categorized into two categories.
Open: Open to all both male and female above the age of 18 years
Female: For all Females above the age of 18 years

PRIZES
Winners of the race will receive prizes in cash (or bouncing cheques). All the participants will receive a tee shirt (that you can use to clean your bike) as well as participation certificates.

ACCOMMODATION
Tourist facilities are available all along the race route. Accommodation on the first day in Syabrubeshi will be in normal hotel or guesthouse with meals. The accommodation on thesecond night will be home-stay with meals. (Hygiene is optional.)

SAFETY
Safety of participants is very important to us. All our staff are experts in their field andare well trained and experienced to handle clients' individual needs. To facilitate soundmedical team back up, three medical teams manned by a medical expert (do note that the word "doctor" is missing), one local healthworker and one personnel from Himalaya Expeditions will be set up along the route sothat any injury, illness or unexpected incidents are dealt with immediately (hence the undertakers).

HEALTH AND INSURANCE
Since the race entails negotiating different types of gradients each participant will be required to furnish a Health Certificate from his/ her stating that he/she is physically fit to participate in the event. The Health Certificate will have to be attached to the application form.

Foreign Participants are required to submit their personal travel insurance that covers the following things that covers trip cancellation, medical emergency /evacuation/(being gored by a chorten).

SIGN UP PROCEDURE
Application forms are available at TRPAP, NTB and Himalaya Expeditions Office, Kathmandu Guesthouse or it can be downloaded online from the NTB website www.welcomenepal.com
The completed forms can be deposited at the Kathmandu Guesthouse, TRPAP Office or Himalaya Expedition. Or the applications can be sent via e-mail to steven@adventuresports.com.np A non-refundable sign up amount of US$ 99 for non - Nepalese and Rs. 500 for Nepalese participants will be levied for each participant. Applications for participants will be accepted until the 25th of April. Apart from the signing amount non Nepalese participants will have to submit their passport copies (for the national park permit), Rs. 1000 per participant as national park fees for Langtang National Park, health certificate and personal travel insurance along with their application forms.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
The sign up cost includes:
1. 1 night accommodation in hotel/ guesthouse with all meals at Syabru Beshi
2. 1 night homestay at Goljung with all meals
3. Tee shirt
4. Transfer Kathmandu - Syabrubeshi - Goljung - Kathmandu by bus5.
Support staff during the race including the medical teams6. Transportation cost for the mountain bike
7. First aid kit
8. Participation fees
9. Participation Certificate
10. Refreshments during the race
11. Cultural program on the last night

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
The sign up cost excludes:
1. Visa fees for Non - Nepalese
2. Heath and travel insurance
3. Rescue and evacuation
4. Personal gear
5. Bottled water and beverages
6. Personal expenses
7. National Park Fees of Rs. 1000 for Non Nepalese
8. Mountain bikes.
All participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes. Non Nepalese participants can hire the mountain bikes at Nrs. 750 per bike per day (Hercules MTBs, which are on the heavy side of 30kgs for stability and having only two gears for simplicity of maintenance, will be provided).