'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The second edition of Manali-Khardungla Cycling Championship (MKCC), organised by Northern Escapes and Cycling 4 Change is set to commence from Manali on July 26th to culminate at the world’s highest motorable pass – Khardungla at 18,380 ft on 3rd August, 2015. Endurance cyclists from India and abroad will compete amidst challenging conditions and tough terrain to win not only the coveted title, but also the pride of having raced to the Top of the World.
The 2015 edition of MKCC offers two participation categories with varying level of difficulty to suit a cyclist’s skill set. The 9-day stage race is MKCC's high voltage drama, which is designed on a carefully charted route with varying gradient, for long-distance endurance. Ultimate Cycling Adventure Tour will run parallel to stage race, for enthusiasts who wish to ride the world’s highest road at their own pace, experiencing the thrill and challenge of the terrain.
Announcing the second edition of MKCC, Founder, Northern Escapes, Mr. Gaurav Schimar said in a release, “Borne out of sheer passion and love for the region and the sport, MKCC gives you the chance to compete in the highest cycling race in the world. MKCC is the only high-altitude long distance race in India. With MKCC, we plan to wedge India firmly on the world endurance cycling circuit.”
If last year’s event is any indication, this year the event promises to be a spectacular show of courage, endurance, grit and determination. Competition this year will be tougher with participants from Armed Forces joining the race. With the participation of three-time women’s mountain biking national champion of Nepal, Ms. Laxmi Magar, in MKCC 2015, women cyclists have something to cheer about too.
Race Director, Mr. Anil Uchil added, “The Manali-Khardungla route is highly inspirational for the global cycling community. MKCC will be something that every participant will be extremely proud to be part of and compete in, for all of their lives. And a word of advice for all riders – the route is not so much about physical capability, it is more of a mind game to be won!”
The organisers are confident that the race has the makings of a globally acclaimed event and will have all the support that is needed by the demanding high-altitude trans-Himalayan cold desert. Support vehicles will follow the participants across all stages of the race. Riders will have constant access to hydration and refreshments with mobile arrangements and experienced race marshals will be deputed to keep an eye on every racer.
The support crew moving with the race includes skilled chefs who will prepare sumptuous food with high nutritional value. The diet plan has been prepared with expert inputs from dieticians and fitness experts, keeping in mind the high energy requirements for the race. The race will have a mix of organised and camping accommodation.
Health is a major concern for anyone travelling to high-altitudes in Trans-Himalaya, and a demanding activity like mountain biking even more so, poses several health challenges. Fortis Hospital Mohali, Medical Partner to MKCC has taken these additional health risks into account by providing an experienced medical team along with an advanced life support ambulance.
The choice of the medical partner was simple as Fortis has, over the years, provided medical backup to Raid De Himalaya, Chennai Cycling, Chandigarh Marathon, World 10K Marathon Bangalore, Rider Mania 2015, Delhi Riders Fest 2015, apart from many other such events. Equipped with the world’s best in terms of technology, infrastructure, and medical treatments, Fortis Hospital Mohali shall endeavor to provide the riders a healthy and medically safe cycling championship.
Red Bull is supporting the event by sharing their global expertise on extreme sports, while MKCC’s Nutrition Partner Bonn Biscuits, will support the extra nutrition requirements of the riders with their scrumptious and healthy snacks throughout the event.
The Manali-Khardungla route has been on the must-do list of every serious cyclist since the region opened up to travellers in the 1970s. For the past decade, the interest of the cycling community in this circuit has been on the rise with the number of cyclists undertaking the arduous journey increasing exponentially over the past few years. While hundreds of individual and group cyclists have been undertaking the gruelling journey every year, it was with MKCC 2014 that a race was organized on the circuit for the first time.
The Manali-Leh-Khardungla highway stretches over 500 kilometres predominantly comprised of paved roads, with stretches of sand, gravel and rocky terrain thrown in for good measure. MKCC takes the riders through the ever-changing and incredibly dramatic landscapes with steep and constant changes in gradient. The race passes through the world’s highest passes, four of them being above 15,000 ft leading to its grand culmination at the World’s Highest Motorable pass – Khardungla – at 18,380 ft. The stages of the race have been designed to help the riders gradually acclimatise to the rarefied conditions.
As an organised sport, cycling is still in its nascent stage in India when compared with countries like France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherland, USA and Australia. Northern Escapes and Cycle for Change, are pioneers in bringing India's highest cycling championship to the world map.
About MKCC
The World’s Highest Highway, the Manali-Khardungla road has always been popular with travellers and every serious cyclist across the globe aspires to ride this circuit. While hundreds of cyclists attempt the challenging ride every year, MKCC 2014 was the first attempt to organize a race on the Manali-Khardungla circuit.
MKCC aims not only to popularise cycling as a competitive sport, but to also create a world-class racing event that will put India firmly on the international endurance cycling circuit. The route has been chosen for its unparalleled beauty, unquestionable challenge, high adventure quotient and popularity with travellers across the world.
About the Organisers
Northern Escapes and Cycling 4 Change, the organisers of the Manali-Khardungla Cycling Championship, have several years of experience in organising both competitive cycling events, leisure and adventure cycling trips, as well as pioneering adventure trips in the Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan region.
Northern Escapes is synonymous with ecologically responsible tourism in the Himalayas aimed at benefitting the locals and preserving the fragile environment of the region. They offer offbeat travel options in the Northern Himalayas to the intrepid traveler. Trips offered by Northern Escapes are designed to provide travellers with a deep insight into the incredible land, its rich cultural heritage and the amazing but coy wild inhabitants.
At Cycling 4 Change, creativity and experience are leveraged to transform a passion for cycling into interesting events that encourage people to take up cycling and sustain their interest in it both as a sport and a fun leisure activity. Cycling 4 Change has been popularizing cycling in India with challenging, creative and fun events and using the sport as a medium to bring about change in society while transforming India into a cycling-friendly nation!
