MTB Himalaya 2013 day 4

The fourth day of the 9th MTB Himalaya 2013 started from Dhomri camp near Narkanda with downhill gravel road amid villages dotted in pine forests. 60 bikers began their ride to touch the Hatu Peak braving Tuesday morning drizzle. However, a change of route plan offered them a bit of rest on Tuesday. Instead of total competitive 62km, the riders had to complete just 50km. After lunch at Dev Jubbar, they rode back to the Dhomri camp.

The trail took them bypassing the town of Kumarsain through the rocky slopes of downhill tracks till the tiny village of Faral where the riders found lose gravel and slippery uphill stretch of about 4km. As predicted, the Indian Army members hardly had any problem in riding the uphill stretch for their sheer prowess. Their mental strength overpowered physical exhaustion, if at all there was any, in the high gradient uphill trail near the hamlet of Shalota.

Shalota to Pauchi on way to meet the highway at Patti Jubbar uphill turned out to be the challenge of the tour for the riders, as many was seen carrying their bikes on foot. The loose gravel and rocky stretch through the village of Pauchi seemed to have taken the sap out of Luis Leao Pinto, the World No. 9 from Portugal, as the race leader had to take some rest. This was the first time since 9th MTB Himalaya 2013 was flagged off on Saturday, September 28, from Shimla that Pinto had to stop midway as he is known to finish off the day without a break – not even for drinks. But Tuesday was different.

The trail from Pauchi till Patti Jubbar offered a gigantic challenge to most of the riders except probably for those from the armed forces. The small contingent of Indian Air Force was also racing quite fast but was far behind their Army counterparts. Not an individual but the tough terrain became the focus of the fourth day of 9th MTB Himalaya 2013. On Wednesday, the riders would start their challenge to triumph Hatu Peak, if weather permits.