“The charity cycling event is similar to the fun run events organized in Germany and other parts of the world. [break]
The organizers target the corporate fraternity to pledge money for per kilometer the cyclist cycles,” says Raj Gyawali, the founder director of Social Tours in Thamel, one of the organizers of the event.
The challenge is being jointly organized by SAGA UK, Chain Bikes, and Social Tours.
Gyawali mentions that the target in Nepal is to attract donors from all walks of life who want to contribute to a social cause. “3,000 Pounds have already been raised in the UK by Saga Holidays, the organizer of a similar cycle challenge in the UK. We want to show that Nepalis are generous as well, and can raise funds by themselves.”
Hooper and Lama will be making a journey of 60 kilometers routed around the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. Donors can pledge Rs 100 per kilometer, and there can be any number of donors. An interesting concept untried before in Nepal, other cyclists will be pedaling along with the boys to support them.
Lama, a biking enthusiast and a student of A-Levels at Graded English Medium School (G.E.M.S), Lalitpur, says, “I feel wonderful to be cycling for a social cause.” He cycles 12 km every day and is firm about completing the 60 km cycling course.
“I’m overwhelmed by the response from the team members of Crank, a newly formed group of cycle enthusiasts. I’ve already been pledged an amount of Rs 6,000 for the whole course by one of the group members,” he says.
Hooper, another cycling enthusiast, will be arriving in Nepal on July 10. He was in Nepal before and was inspired by his time at the Samata School and OCCED Orphanage Naxal to do something more for the children.
The cycle route for this challenge has been designed to circle the Kathmandu Valley anticlockwise.
According to Gyawali, the race will be circling two important Buddhist shrines, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and one Hindu shrine – Pashupatinath Temple – and could function as a viable cycling route for other cycle enthusiasts in the future.
To pledge for the cyclists, call Raj Gyawali at 9851021984 or Social tours at 4412508.
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