Nuwakot District Sports Development Committee (NDSDC) organized the Himalayan View Cross Country Open Mountain Bike Championship on Saturday with the aim of promoting tourism centers and historic sites in the district. [break]
As the title of the race suggests, the route through the rugged hills between Kathmandu and Nuwakot provided some breathtaking views of the snow-clad mountain range of Ganesh Himal and Manaslu in Gorkha district in the west and Langtang in the bordering district of Rasuwa to the north.
“We want to promote tourism through the medium of sport,” said NDSDC President Uttam Pathak.
The race participated by 60 cyclists began from Budhanilkantha and covered a distance of 53 km through Guruje Bhanjyang (pass), Thansing, Dhikur and Bidur before concluding at historic Nuwakot Palace.
Nuwakot Palace -- built in the 18th century during the rule of King Prithvi Narayan Shah -- lies atop a scenic hill and is the major attraction of the district, but most people are not aware of its significance, said Pathak.
“Nuwakot is so near to the capital and yet so far,” he said. The organizers, who have pledged to conduct the race annually, believe such programs will help promote tourism. Pathak says lots of tourists enjoy riding mountain bikes and the alternate route to Nuwakot is also shorter than the main highway. People in Nuwakot have braced the ´home-stay´ concept of tourism promoted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB).
The cyclists are also to benefit from the race. Ajay Pandit Chhetri, who won the race, said the route is perfect for mountain-biking and such exposure helps strengthen their skills. This was his 35th participation.
“It is not possible to succeed in the first attempt. The more tournaments we have the better for us,” he said.
For Pandit, victory was his only concern as he sped along the rough road, overtaking motor vehicles that struggled with the rocky terrain. But for others, the race was surely recreational as they stopped at Guruje Bhanjyang to take in the scenery and then headed downhill.
Nepal Cycling Association provided technical assistance for conducting the race. NTB supported the event while Speedway Cargo provided jerseys to the cyclists and donated computers to a local school.
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