Just like any other student, Akash Sherpa’s life revolved around school and home. His days circled around his school, helping his father at work, who owns a small motorcycle repair shop in Shoghi, Shimla. Seeing his father riding a bicycle made him aware of what a bike looked like, but not even in his wildest dreams had he imagined riding a bicycle, let alone racing on it.
It was one day when he picked up the newspaper and came across an MTB Shimla advertisement, he decided to give a shot at mountain biking. Learning for Akash was limited to seeing some YouTube videos and practicing it on local trails the following day.
Fortunately, the race route of Hero MTB Shimla passed through his house, which gave him the chance of witnessing some riders and grasping a few biking techniques. He drooled every day to master his skills and perfect his technique. The race was not just a fascination for him.
Akash went on like this for about nine months, challenging himself every day until he decided to give the race his best shot. It was April and Akash was excited because now was the season of Hero MTB Shimla. The race was just around the corner and he started training hard. Long rides were followed by strict diets.
Since his father had been working with bikes for a long time, Akash thought his family would be extremely supportive of sending him to the race. But this wasn’t the case.
Akash remembers having a conversation with his dad where his dad worriedly questioned him, “Why cycling? Why don’t you do something that helps you make money.”
Hailing from a middle-class family, Akash realized that pursuing his dreams wasn’t going to be an easy task. This was a huge setback; however, it didn’t deter him from registering from the race.
Winning the support of his family and registering for the race wasn’t the only challenge Akash had to face. Getting a bicycle was another hurdle. But since every accomplishment starts with the decision to try, he borrowed a bicycle from one of his friends and was all set to race.
Akash finished third in the 5th MTB Shimla Edition. Without any professional training and help, this eighteen-year boy shocked everyone and finally earned the much-needed encouragement from his family. Seeing his photo in the newspaper, everyone in the school began to recognize him. His father bought him a brand-new bike and Hero Cycles gave him sponsorship him for future races.
From nothing, Akash became someone who all his school mates now look up to. MTB Shimla gave him the confidence that he needed, and then he went on take part in the Bangalore MTB festival and another race in Solan, where he finished sixth and second respectively.
This year, Sherpa took part in the 6th edition of MTB Shimla, with his younger brother, Ashish. Akash spent hours training his brother and it wasn’t shocking to know that Ashish finished second in the student's category while Akash finished ninth in the Open Men Solo category.
Both the brothers have done Shimla and Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) proud.
If Ashish continues to give such stellar performances, he might become a part of the Hero Action Team. Hero Action Team is the first and only fully supported professional Mountain Biking Team in India. It strives to nurture talent by providing members with the necessary support to hone their mountain biking skills.
This is how two village boys became the most sought after participants in the MTB Shimla race. That day isn’t far when we see both of them outperforming the tougher and bigger MTB Himalaya racers.
Also Read: How a tribal boy became India's most successful mountain biker
