Cascade of claps and cheers from the crowd crowned me not less than Lance Armstrong in winning Tour de France when I wheeled the finish line there in Kashi Bhanjyang of Kavrepalanchowk district. That was very exciting moment for me in the 3rd Thuraya Mountain Bike Championship organized by Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) in association with other Tourism related organizations (THURAYA, Mountain Bike Club and other). Fresh smell of nature, scenic beauty of green paddy fields, off-road terrain, steep hill, sprinkled mud allover my bike and jersey were other ingredients that made the championship even more exciting experience. Daunting up hill climbs in the course raced my heartbeat up to 140 pulses per minute and it was a real test of my paddling endurance. It was my first participation ever in such mountain bike championship and I am more than just happy to see my name on 29th position out of 107 participants including bikers from abroad. Championship was organized on the occasion of World Environment Day '5th June 2006', that was enough reason for me to take part since I am working in an office that works for Environment besides my mountain bike craze. My will to participate was purely to support the event and I had no aim to compete amid those tough mountain bikers. Nevertheless I was confident that I have ample stamina to endure this course of 22-kilometers distance elevation of 1781 meters between Thimi of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in Bhaktapur district and Kashibhanjyang in Kavrepalanchowk district.
When the race got commenced I thought that other participants would overtake me like a bullet and unbelievingly that was not the case. Yet I didn't expect to grab any position, instead I focused more on enjoying scenic area while I paddled uphill. Moreover I made fun greeting schoolchildren who were standing at the roadside cheering us. "Malai tali khoi ta" (Where is clap for me) and they went burst laughing and clapping. Because of our colorful eye catchy outfits schoolchildren consider us as foreigners and whenever we passed them they shout, Hello.. Hello.. and I responded Namaste .. Namaste. It was so good to make those local people part of the race and my memory.
Entire race route was beautifully planned. Those jeep track after crossing Nala was heavily rutted and it may as well be single-track consisting uphill and downhill for truly adventurous mountain biking. There was one technically advanced uphill 6-kilometers ahead of the finish line and most mountain bikers failed to flex their calf at that point. But participants were so daring that day to conquer it. I think that's the joys of two-wheeled action. If huffing and puffing you've stumbled here by chance, paddle on, a new experience awaits ahead to thrill you more. Mountain biking is independence realm and a free ticket to cruse wherever you want day or night. A total of 145 participants took part in the championship. Of them, 22 were foreigners.
I have learnt a lot from this championship. Importantly I should not underestimate myself among those tough mountain bikers in the billboard. Now I know what tricks I need to follow in winning the race and do better preparation technically to tackle the most rugged conditions. Overall this championship was wonderful experience and I had a great time. And suggest anyone to try Mountain Biking if you want to bring some adventure in your life. I assume what better way and what better machine is there to explore the diverse beauty of Nepal other than by MOUNTAIN BIKE. Mountain biking can be your chances to partake in one of the simplest joys of life and there are a zillion trails awaiting, for all levels of experience. Whatever your level is.
12 comments:
Gr8Job, congratulation for ur outstanding performance. Hope to hear that u stand in 2nd position kicking out that 9 in near future.
But one thing is for sure, u stood 1st position this time in the sense of enjoying scenic area while u were paddling uphill, greeting schoolchildren and taking part in truly adventurous mountain biking that no other participants have ever noticed. They might not have viewed this championship from ur view, so they might not have enjoyed as u did though they came in ranks. All in All u have learnt many thing from this championship, and that's a great achivement for u.
Keep it up.
Sangeeta/Prabin
good job man! thanks for sharing yet another attempt of looking closure to nature, enjoying time with children and making thing special by doing it differently.
I was just curious if you got down of your bike and took pictures of waving school children:-)
Dear Jiten
let me congratulate first for your outstanding achievement - achievment is not only the medal or ranks. I feel you achieved a very essential thing of life through this event and that is "Never underestimate yourself".
And I know you deserve first among all those competators. Congratulation!Keep going.
Dearest Surya di,
As always it's so good to have your pat on my back. Thank you so much.
Dear Sangeeta/Prabin,
Thanks for your encouraging words and indeed the victory I got in my confidence is not less than those winners of championship.
Dear Kali,
That's how I was hoping before the race start and unlike other participants I was equipped with camera despite it was a real competition. Some participants were even suggesting me to leave my camera because it's too risky. But they were unaware what I have inside my mind and once the race got started the whole scenario looked so different. I guess biker Jiten within me took over photojournalist Jiten. Besides it is bit awkward to stop and take pictures as a tourist when several ambulances and other safety escorts were following.
But Ssssh! I did stop my bike for twice. One to fix loosed chain of my bike and next to relief my urinary bladder. ;) ha.. I drank one and half liters of water before the race. K garne inexperienced participant paryo.
Anyway, you can surf some pics there in my online photo album. Follow the link.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jiten_rajb/album?.dir=95f2scd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jiten_rajb/my_photos
Thank you all once again.
Jitu cha.
I cannot believe that this is your first time in an actual competition.... I have known you mountain biked for a while now jiten da.... Well congartulation never the less and coming 29th amongst 107 is not an easy task ..... I know u must have enjoyed it as u have such a passion for the sport....
Cheers !!!!!
Am surprised to see your comment Biku bhai. I am glad and thank you hai. Yeah! It's been a long that I do enjoy biking but never thought to paddle for any championship. And this recent experience fostered mountain biking instinct in me and now I think I should bring home some medals not just to fill my showcase but also to enjoy the talent that I have. Of course, sport is in my blood and I simply love it.
Cheers, Jiten dai.
Dear Jiten Dai,
29th out of 107, not bad indeed.But escaping the treat is simply not fair.
Bravo Bro!!!
Babina
Dear Sis, Babina
You are right 29th position at my first attempt is very encouraging. I am happy indeed. By the way, don't worry you'll have your treat very soon.
Thank you for the comment.
Jiten dai.
Hey BRO!
You made me jealous with those sporty snaps..I will also participate in the next tournament for sure.Who knows i may win too!!
babina
Of course, Babina you can try and have this taste of Mountain Biking adventure. It's fun and you too can have lots of your sporty snaps.
Good day.
Jiten dai.
dear jiten I am delighted to know that you participated in the bike race. I am being jelous of your involvement in such great event. Position is nothing. You participated and enjoyed as much as you can that is big prize for you. keep this energy alive....
Thanks Bashu for the comment and encouragement. Yeah I do felt like a winner.
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