CycloNepal

Japanese MTB rider Ikeda's Mega-Epic win Mega Epic race winner Ikeda's determination and trail accomplishments shine, with great recollections of Nepal's Yak Attack race and future trail adventures.

𝗬𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗜𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗮: 𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮-𝗘𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄!

Japanese MTB rider Ikeda's Mega-Epic win Mega Epic race winner Ikeda's determination and trail accomplishments shine, with great recollections of Nepal's Yak Attack race and future trail adventures.

The historic feat was marked by record-breaking climbs and daring flights, with all pilots reaching the summit without the aid of supplementary oxygen.

4 French pilots complete first paragliding descent from K2 Benjamin Vedrines of Briançon sets a new ascent record on K2, leading a challenging climb and paragliding launch with remarkable speed.

A Nepali freerider's death-defying descent from Swargadwari

Tenzing’s Daring Descent Down ‘Heaven’s Gate’ Nepal’s freeride mountain biker Tenzing Gurung becomes the first individual to wheel down the untamed slopes of Swargadwari in Manang.

𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐢 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

In an innovative attempt to prioritise the safety of cyclists, Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has launched a dedicated bike lane that runs from Kailali Customs, Mohanapul to the Dhangadhi Airport entrance, along the busy six-lane route.
The recently completed cycle lane was officially unveiled on Saturday morning after being inaugurated by Deputy Mayor of Dhangadhi Kandakala Rana. The event marked a historic moment in the city's commitment to cyclist safety, as Dhangadhi Mayor Gopal Hamal and several prominent figures embarked on a celebratory ride along the newly built cycle path.
This project, stretching over 7.14 km on either side of the highway, seeks to transform the way cyclists navigate urban roads. It was completed with a budget of Rs4.5 million. The mayor emphasised the city's dedication to ensuring the safety of cyclists, stating that a dedicated lane has been established on busy roads to prioritise their well-being and recognise their rights on the road.
The city chief emphasises the importance of the dedicated cycle lane, stating that it will help to reduce accidents and tackle the ongoing issues faced by cyclists. The six-lane road, under the jurisdiction of the Godavari Municipality, has been carefully designed to prioritise environmental factors, road safety, and the requirements of cyclists.
The city's initiative has received high praise from local residents, especially cycling enthusiasts.
Bharat Bikram Shah, the president of the Farwestern Riders, a prominent cycling group in Dhangadhi, praised the commendable efforts. "Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has taken a noteworthy step by creating a designated lane exclusively for cyclists," said Shah.
According to him, the road presented a dangerous situation for cyclists, as they had to manoeuvre around large vehicles, putting them at considerable risk.
The introduction of this dedicated cycle lane marks a significant step forward in enhancing cyclist safety in Dhangadhi. It sets an example for other cities to emulate, emphasising the importance of alternative and sustainable transportation options.
In an exciting development, Mayor Hamal has unveiled his ambitious plans for the future as the city continues to progress. He said, "There are plans underway to gradually introduce cycle lanes to additional roads."

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐨𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐨

The Pokhara Enduro organisers have announced prizes for the podium finishers across seven categories in the eagerly awaited first international enduro mountain bike race in Pokhara.

The three-day event begins on November 23, with more than 50 mountain bike riders from 11 countries descending to the adventure capital of Nepal.

With the organisers already guaranteeing top-notch safety measures for the Pokhara Enduro race, the event is poised to witness fierce competition on the exciting new trails specifically developed for this occasion.

According to the organisers, the Men’s Elite winners will be awarded a cash prize of Rs50,000, the runner-up Rs30,000, and the third-place finisher Rs20,000.

Similarly, the Open Female category winner will receive Rs35,000, while the runner-up takes home Rs25,000, and the second runner-up Rs15,000.

The cash prizes for the two categories have been sponsored by Prestige Consulting, Jewel Trek, and the Nepalese Society, Singapore, said the organisers, hoping that their generous contribution would elevate the competitive spirit to new levels.

The podium finishers in other categories will not go empty-handed either.

Among other supporters, Gravity Nepal, a name synonymous with adventure and thrill, has sponsored podium prizes for other category winners.

Appreciating their commitment, Pokhara Enduro said: “Their dedication went beyond mere sponsorship. It was a commitment to elevating the entire experience for participants, pushing the boundaries of what an extreme sports event could be.”

Pokhara Enduro has prioritised safety to give participants and spectators a great experience during the first international enduro race in Pokhara.

Safety net in place to ensure thrills without spills The Pokhara Enduro international mountain bike race accords top priority to safety with medical teams and insurance coverage.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁’𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮

Arba Hills will serve as the venue for the first-ever international enduro mountain biking race in Pokhara.
Pokhara Enduro, a three-day event, is set to begin on November 23. The first two days will be dedicated to practice and prologue sessions, followed by the main race on the weekend.
According to the organisers, Dawn Till Dusk, a leading mountain biking tour company, around 80 participants from 11 countries are expected to compete across seven categories in the race. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Kaski District Cycling Association and Pokhara Metropolitan City Ward No. 13.
Competitions will be held in the Men’s Elite category, Junior (12-18 years), Masters 'A' (30-39 years), Masters 'B' (40-49 years), Veterans (above 50 years), Women's Open, and E-Bike categories.
The competition venue, Arba Hills, is located approximately 7 km to the east of the lakeside. The races will start from the hilltop, situated at an altitude of around 1,400 metres, the organisers said.
Six cycling trails, ranging in length from 1.5 to 2 km, have been prepared for the event and have been put to the test, said Sunil Chandra Sharma, Pokhara Enduro race director and co-founder of Dawn Till Dusk.
The organisers have expressed their goal of developing Arba Hills as a mountain biking hub while promoting the region's rich history, cultural heritage, and eco-friendly cycling practices. Chhimi Urken Gurung, the managing director of Dawn Till Dusk, emphasised, “The geographical terrain here is ideal for adventure sports like mountain biking.”
Hosting such events can boost tourism while showcasing the region's historical sites, homestays, and culture. Gurung added, “Besides, it holds the potential to create local employment opportunities.”
“We intend to establish Arba Hills as a premier destination for enduro racing due to the rich biodiversity and natural trails in the region,” Gurung added. “There's a strong likelihood that these trails will gain popularity among enduro enthusiasts.”
Local authorities are also hopeful that the first international enduro event will grant Pokhara official recognition as the adventure capital of Nepal.
Shankar Bhandari, the president of the Kaski District Cycling Association, expressed his belief that the event will elevate Arba as Pokhara’s premier mountain biking destination in the same way that paragliding has elevated Sarangkot Hills among thrill-seekers.
Kiran Baral, the chairman of Pokhara Metropolitan City Ward No. 13, was delighted that his native village was chosen as the venue for the international enduro mountain bike event races. He pledged all possible support for its success. Baral stated, "We'll provide all the necessary support to ensure the success of this event. We've been coordinating with the Pokhara Metropolitan City Office to ensure essential amenities, such as constructing toilets and more, at the event site."
Pokhara Metropolitan City, highlighting its commitment to making Pokhara the country's official adventure capital, had previously assured the event organisers of financial assistance to help cover their costs.
Gurung lamented that the company has already incurred expenses in excess of Rs5 million to develop the trails in Arba Hills. He said, "We've sought government funding to ease the burden, as it would take an additional Rs2 million to run the competitions."
Ward 13 Chair Baral admitted that they had allocated a modest budget for this year but assured a larger purse from the Metropolis.

A successful int'l mgmt consultant's passion for solving complex business challenges is rivalled only by his desire to conquer rugged mountain trails. Here, he chronicles his latest response to the mountains' call.

A tale from Arba’s thrilling trails Stunning scenery and exciting trails in Arba promise a delightful experience for participants which is reflected in the event's slogan:

Pokhara Enduro: Spotlight falls on Arba
Village

Cranking up bike tourism Pokhara Enduro mountain bike race is expected to be a bellwether for the tourism industry which is still on shaky ground after pandemic setbacks.

Nepal Army's rider Tamata wins Ligligé Cycle Race Tamata finishes ahead of Achyut Krishna Kharel and Kumar Tamang to claim the Men's Elite title in the 53-km annual event