MTB HIMALAYA 2012 || A Premiere Adventure event for Mountain Terrain Biking Enthusiasts


At PHOTO JOURNEY, we have covered MTB Himachal for two years with daily broadcast and here comes a consolidated Photo Journey from MTB Himalaya 2012. None of these photographs are clicked by any of the core Travellingcameras. All these photographs are shared by HASTPA with relevant details about all 8 days. Let's check out more about the adventure fun from MTB 2012 !


Day 1
Total Distance: 67km
Competitive Stages: 3
Competitive Distance: 41 km
Transport Distance: 26 km
Total Climb: 1350 meters

Day Route
·         Ridge
·         Oak Over
·         Bedes Chowk 
·         Dhalli
·         Bakelthi
·         Sarog
·         Gada Kuffar


Winner of the day

Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
1:47:51
2
Aayman Tamang
1:56:49
3
Richard Mcdowell
1:57:18





Day Description

Hercules MTB Himalaya 2012 took off from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Around 75 mountain bikers were set off on a 438km adventure, 3250 meters above sea level at the highest point, against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas. Organizers HASTPA, Himachal Tourism and title sponsor, Hercules, joined forces for the 8th consecutive year to roll out India’s finest mountain biking challenge with Hercules.

As the race was flagged –off from Shimla, the race on that day was of 3 competetive stages with total KM of 41. The two riders from Nepal (Gopal and Aayman) took lead of the pack right at the beginning. Finally riders were accommodated at the first campsite of the race at Gada Kuffer at the end of the day. Campsite was surrounded by the pine forest accompanied by the Burn Fire. Riders were enjoying the sip of Hot Tea/Coffee standing around the burn-fire before the delicious dinner.
  

Day 2
Total Distance: 69km
Competitive Stages: 3
Competitive Distance: 43 km
Transport Distance: 27 km
Total Climb: 1800 mtr

Day Route
·         Gada Kuffar
·         Matiana
·         Mohari
·         Sunpuri
·         Link Road
·         Jal
·         Tani Jubbad


Winner of the Day

Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
2:15:25
2
Aayman Tamang
2:26:50
3
Richard Mcdowell
2:37:25
 


Day Description
Day 2 starting from Gada Kuffar was the last day for Weekend Riders. It was a day when one of the past winners of MTB Himachal Mr. Ramesh Chander Joshi left the race because of the injury. At the end of the day all weekend riders were transported back to the Shimla. Though the competitive section compromises of 3 stages for full riders only two competitive stages were counted for weekend riders. As the final stage was uphill most of the riders were tired enough and were transported to the Camp Site Tani Jubbad after 3rd competitive stage.



Day 3
Total Distance: 74km
Competitive Stages: 3
Competitive Distance: 48 km
Transport Distance: 26 km
Total Climb: 2052 mtr

Day Route
·         Tani Jubbad
·         Banot
·         Noal
·         Datt Nagar
·         Bridge Over Sutlej
·         Bagipul
·         Kullu Sarahan


Winner of the Day

Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
1:33:04
2
Aayman Tamang
1:40:31
3
Richard Mcdowell
1:44:41



Day Description
Tani Jubbar played host to the flag off of Day 3 of Hercules MTB Himalaya 2012. With the weekend riders back at Shimla, the rest of the pack cycled a total of 73.7 kms, out of which a staggering 46.6 kms was comprised the competitive stage of the race for the day.
It started with a heart-stopping downhill for 17.5 km. Gopal Narayan clocked the best time followed closely by Aayman Tamang and Richard McDowell. The riders then rode across the Sutlej after which they hiked to reach stage 2. This stage was an up-hill in which Richard McDowell fought off close competition from Gopal Narayan and Aayman Tamang to clock the best time.
Getting to the third stage again involved a bike & hike section over a steep hill. From here it was grueling up-hill to the camp at Kullu Sarahan, where the riders got a much-deserved rest day.  

 

Day 4
Rest Day
Day Description
Day 4 of the race saw riders take a break at the breathtaking Kulu Sarahan, a school ground turned into a campsite, with a view of a huge meadow against the backdrop of pine forests and huge mountains,. At Kulu Sarahan, riders cleaned the cycles, washed their clothes, trekked up to a waterfall, participated in Nati and of course got that much deserved break from the relentless riding of the past couple of days.


Day 5
Total Distance: 98 km
Competitive Stages: 3
Competitive Distance: 51km
Transport Distance: 47 km
Total Climb: 1587 mtr

Day Route
·         Kullu Sarahan
·         Bagi Pul
·         Panchal
·         Durah
·         Nitther
·         Amarbagh
·         Bahu


Winner of the Day

Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
2:15:25
2
Aayman Tamang
2:26:50
3
Richard Mcdowell
2:37:25
 


Day Description
Day 5 comprised of a 98 km course, of which the competitive stretch was an astounding 51 kms. From Kulu Saharan, riders pedaled their way down winding roads to reach Bagipul. A few kilometers from there, riders took on Stage 2 from Panchal to Durah, a total of 34 kms. For the most part an uphill, asphalt stretch, the route took them through more winding roads, before they took a break for lunch at Durah, where they had  a magnificent view of the meandering Sutlej, many miles below.
Post lunch, riders made their way from Nither to Amarbagh, for 3rd and final competitive stage of the day.   From there, a ride to Bahu near Ami in Kulu District took them to the campsite for Day 5.



Day 6
Total Distance: 70km
Competitive Stages: 2
Competitive Distance: 49 km
Transport Distance: 21 km
Total Climb: 2530 mtr

Day Route
·         Bahu
·         Ani
·         Jalori Jyot
·         Jhibbhi
·         Gada Gushaini


Winner of the Day

Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
3:03:39
2
Aayman Tamang
3:19:24
3
Richard Mcdowell
3:34:11

 


Day Description
Day 6 took on the MTB Himalaya from Bahu to Gada Gushaini, where riders pedaled with all their might to get past the mighty Jalori Pass, the highest point of the race, standing tall at 3,250 m. The close of Day 6 saw Narayan Gopal retain the lead in 1st place, Aayman Tamang follow as he has through the race in 2nd place and Richard McDowell, still chasing the Top 2 in 3rd place. The campsite at Gada Gushaini at the end of Day 6 was quite unlike what riders had experienced before. While the amenities and the service were as always heart-warming, the weather on the other hand took a turn for the worse. With night time temperatures hitting a low of -2 degrees, all riders ensured that they were covered in multiple layers of clothes so as to keep themselves warm. On waking up to race, some riders even found a thin layer of frost on their bikes.



Day 7
Total Distance: 62
Competitive Stages: 2
Competitive Distance: 51.2
Transport Distance: 11
Total Climb: 1169 mtr

Day Route
·         Gada Gushaini
·         Magru galla
·         Chattri
·         Bhayagi
·         Kalon
·         Kello Dhar
·         Craignano

Winner of the day
Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
1:48:56
2
Aayman Tamang
1:49:35
3
Richard Mcdowell
1:50:57



Day Description
Day 7, 5th October took riders from Gada Gushaini to Khelo Dhar, via Chhatri, a distance of 62 kms, of which 49 kms would be competitive. A quick bike and hike section before the start of the day’s competitive riding set the riders in motion. The first competitive stretch, a 20 km downhill on dusty roads from Gada Gushaini, was truly a downhill rider’s paradise. From almost any point in the road, once could see other riders cruising down the slopes on the stretch of road above or below.
Lunch followed at Chhatri near a stream that was spilling over onto to road, before riders could take on the 2nd and final competitive section of the day. From Chhatri they rode, using great strength at the uphill sections and zooming past on the downhill section, all the way to Khelo Dhar 29 kms away.
From Khelo Dhar to Craignano, riders got a respite. They loaded their bikes into campers, before finding a seat for themselves and from here they were driven by road to the final campsite of the race at Craignano
 


Day 8
Total Distance: 32km
Competitive Stages: 1
Competitive Distance: 19km
Transport Distance: 13km

Day Route
·         Craignano
·         Sadhoda
·         Kiarkoti
·         Charri
·         Kamiyana
·         Ridge Maidan


Winner of the Day

Position
Name
Timing
1
Narayan Gopal
0:55:10
2
Aayman Tamang
0:55:10
3
Richard Mcdowell
0:57:26






Day Description
6th October was the last and final day of the MTB Himachal 2012. It was only another 31 kms before riders can make their way back to Shimla.  All they were needed to do is persist and give it their best, to ensure that they get themselves a podium finish. The race got finished at Shimla with a podium finish followed by a Prize Distribution at the end of the day at the Ridge Shimla.
 


Prize Money
Category: Open Men Solo
1st Prize : 40000
2nd Prize : 30000
3rd Prize : 20000

Category: Open Masters Solo
1st Prize : INR 40000
2nd Prize : INR 30000
3rd Prize : INR 20000

Category: Open Women Solo
INR: 40000

Category: Team of Two
1st Prize: 60000





Winners Open Men Solo
Name: Narayan Gopal
Position: 1st
Country: Nepal
Age:27
Total Time: 13:38:31

Name: Aayman Tamang
Position: 2nd
Country: Nepal
Age:20
Total Time: 14:27:35

Name: Richard Mcdowell
Position: 3rd
Country: United Kingdom
Age:33
Total Time: 15:16:36



Winners Open Masters Solo
Name: John Funk
Position: 1st
Country: Canada
Total Time: 17:51:03

Name: Johan Bentinck
Position: 2nd
Country: Netherlands
Total Time: 19:44:49

Name: Deplechin Andre
Position: 3rd
Country: France
Total Time: 21:07:15








Winners Open Women Solo
Name: Monica
Country: India
Age: 23
Total Time: 29:39:28


Winner Team of Two
Name: Fire HUB (Naresh Deb Barman + Shishir Karki)
Position: 1st 
Country: India
Total Time: 34:18:31




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