05/11/2023
๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐โ๐น ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ธ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ
Arba Hills will serve as the venue for the first-ever international enduro mountain biking race in Pokhara.
Pokhara Enduro, a three-day event, is set to begin on November 23. The first two days will be dedicated to practice and prologue sessions, followed by the main race on the weekend.
According to the organisers, Dawn Till Dusk, a leading mountain biking tour company, around 80 participants from 11 countries are expected to compete across seven categories in the race. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Kaski District Cycling Association and Pokhara Metropolitan City Ward No. 13.
Competitions will be held in the Menโs Elite category, Junior (12-18 years), Masters 'A' (30-39 years), Masters 'B' (40-49 years), Veterans (above 50 years), Women's Open, and E-Bike categories.
The competition venue, Arba Hills, is located approximately 7 km to the east of the lakeside. The races will start from the hilltop, situated at an altitude of around 1,400 metres, the organisers said.
Six cycling trails, ranging in length from 1.5 to 2 km, have been prepared for the event and have been put to the test, said Sunil Chandra Sharma, Pokhara Enduro race director and co-founder of Dawn Till Dusk.
The organisers have expressed their goal of developing Arba Hills as a mountain biking hub while promoting the region's rich history, cultural heritage, and eco-friendly cycling practices. Chhimi Urken Gurung, the managing director of Dawn Till Dusk, emphasised, โThe geographical terrain here is ideal for adventure sports like mountain biking.โ
Hosting such events can boost tourism while showcasing the region's historical sites, homestays, and culture. Gurung added, โBesides, it holds the potential to create local employment opportunities.โ
โWe intend to establish Arba Hills as a premier destination for enduro racing due to the rich biodiversity and natural trails in the region,โ Gurung added. โThere's a strong likelihood that these trails will gain popularity among enduro enthusiasts.โ
Local authorities are also hopeful that the first international enduro event will grant Pokhara official recognition as the adventure capital of Nepal.
Shankar Bhandari, the president of the Kaski District Cycling Association, expressed his belief that the event will elevate Arba as Pokharaโs premier mountain biking destination in the same way that paragliding has elevated Sarangkot Hills among thrill-seekers.
Kiran Baral, the chairman of Pokhara Metropolitan City Ward No. 13, was delighted that his native village was chosen as the venue for the international enduro mountain bike event races. He pledged all possible support for its success. Baral stated, "We'll provide all the necessary support to ensure the success of this event. We've been coordinating with the Pokhara Metropolitan City Office to ensure essential amenities, such as constructing toilets and more, at the event site."
Pokhara Metropolitan City, highlighting its commitment to making Pokhara the country's official adventure capital, had previously assured the event organisers of financial assistance to help cover their costs.
Gurung lamented that the company has already incurred expenses in excess of Rs5 million to develop the trails in Arba Hills. He said, "We've sought government funding to ease the burden, as it would take an additional Rs2 million to run the competitions."
Ward 13 Chair Baral admitted that they had allocated a modest budget for this year but assured a larger purse from the Metropolis.
