The Hindu Business Line : Biking on the Himalayas

The Himalayan ranges, known the world over for its stunning beauty, has put India on the mountain bike-racing map, with the first Hercules MTB Himachal championship held recently. The mountains formed a magnificent backdrop to the event.

Only the third of its kind in the world, the Indian championship, which found enthusiastic response from bikers in India, aspires to evolve to the stature of the Trans Alps Challenge held in Europe and the Trans Rockies Challenge in Canada.

The championship was more a test of physical endurance and mental determination, where 23 amateur and professional Indian and international riders used all their skills to emerge the winner in the undulating 480-km wilderness trail.

The track was designed by mountain biking experts, Cara Coolbaugh from the US and Cass Gilbert from the UK, who took three months to complete the job. Participants included riders from the US, UK, Belgium, Hungary, South Africa, Denmark, Singapore and India.

The eight-day event, started off at the historic Peterhoff grounds in Shimla, weaving through the famed apple orchards of Kotgarh, crossing the mighty Sutlej river and passing through picturesque villages in the Shimla, Mandi and Kullu districts.

Participants also got to witness the famous Kullu Dusshera celebrations on the last day. The trail passed through single tracks, dirt roads and rivulets. Participants had to spend the nights sleeping in tents by the river and face several physical and climatic challenges.

After eight days of arduous adventure, Norbert Szenthihlosi from Hungary pedalled away with the Hercules MTB Himachal championship title. Per Nilesen from Denmark was first runner-up and South African Fran Nel the second runner-up.

Brought to India by sports management company IMG, and conceptualised and organised by the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association, the event, held under the aegis of the International Mountain Bicycling Association, is expected to help promote Himachal Pradesh on the global tourism arena.

"Cycling in India is viewed as a medium of commuting. With the mountain biking event we got the perfect platform to get the message across that cycling is also about fun and adventure and having a great time," says Mohit Khattar, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales, TI Cycles, which manufactures the Hercules brand of bicycles. He says the company plans to sponsor the event next year also and host similar events elsewhere in the country.

Saminder Saluja (40), who is into adventure cycling for over three years now, says, "The event was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience — very tough physically, but the nearest thing to heaven once we hit the great outdoors. Competing with the best in the world was challenging, but it was also great fun and most of us are already looking forward to next year's challenge."

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