An A to B course that can be described as Intermediate in difficulty with a steady uphill climb though not described as ‘steep’. A 666-m alt gain over 22kms, which is a 30metre alt., gain each kilometer on average. It starts from the South gate of the Raniban Forest on the road to Kakani and follows the road to Kakani all the way. There are no turn offs that can cause confusion, except the turnoff to Kakani from the main road junction. This will be clearly marshaled.

From a starting altitude of approx 1400-m the road climbs steadily via one of the most picturesque routes in all of Kathmandu Valley as it winds through Nepalese villages and a countless number of terrace fields that culminates at an altitude of 2066-m with a stunning display of the Himalayas along the valley’s rim.

The road is mostly sealed with rough patches of broken road, minor water crossings and occasional muddy / sandy sections.

The road will be closed to all traffic and policed during the event in additional to Race Marshals manning the course.

Open & Seniors: Will complete the whole course of 21.90kms
Women & Juniors will start their event from the 14.5km mark of the race and complete the last 7kms
School Teams: Will race the course as a relay team of 3 riders each riding approx 7 kms each.
Paralympic Wheelchair riders: Will start from the Kakani turnoff from the Trisuli Road and complete the last 4.5 kms being the toughest uphill of the whole course.

THE RACE……………
It’s a rare occasion to see a main road closed to all traffic for a sporting event but today displayed a new standard in Police supervised road closures to mark the start of The Siemens Action Asia Himalayan Mountain Bike Race Series 2001.

The opportunity was not lost of the top class field that saw everyone take advantage of a vehicle free route and blast a passage to the top of Kakani with the fastest time being 57 min. at an average speed of 23kms /hour.

Race 1, saw a field of 158 riders from 11 Countries completing in 7 race categories (see results). In the Open division it was Nepali rider Ranjan Rajbhandari who skipped away from the start at the crowded start and holding a narrow lead from fellow colleague and training partner Suresh Dulal who over the next 2 kilometers put his mark on the 1^st place whilst holding it to the half way point. TB Gurung had tagged 2^nd place and finally made a challenge on the lead to pull away under the strength of his massive legs, as the road steppened amongst the ever present terraced rice fields and summer flowers . The winding switch backs to Kaulethana at nearly 2000-m displayed a line of 6 riders all within striking distance of the lead and it was Tilak Bujal that moved up to within 10 meters of Gurung by the 14km mark although Dulal was lingering within sight of them both. Last years series winner in Chandra Chhetri had been pacing himself over the steady climb and with Dulal now showing signs of suffering from a shoulder injury that occured in a training accident just days earlier, was taking it’s toll. Chhetri moved ahead and within the next 3kms had pulled in the balance of the field and was still moving ahead, whilst amazingly looking cool under the strain of increased gradient in the last 4.5kms to finish, but still finding time to wave to film crews and spectators. Bhujel, riding at his best, had now moved to 2^nd place leaving Gurung to chase him down in the closing minutes of race 1 as the Ganesh Himal opened to welcome the riders into Kakani.

With the finish less than 500 meters away Gurung had claimed second place and in last moment grasp with pain Dulal slipped along side Bhujel, who had faultered in a gear change on the final section of rutted road accessing the home straight, to take 3^rd by just a second. The win however had gone to Chhetri having claimed the win in a stunning 56min 42sec. Some 23.5kms /hour average speed over the distance.

The nearest foreign rider to the top 4 Nepalese sweep of the placings was Richard Turgeon of Canada finishing 5^th in a time of 1:00:15sec. Although a reduced number of foreign riders took place in the 2001 series this year there is no doubt the standard of the local mountain biking talent has hit new levels.

With consistent riding it was Shambu Maharjan that held onto his lead in the over 40’s category, take 1^st place from Australian Ian Howchin in the Senior’s and last years Series winner Dutch rider Nico Vreeken taking 3^rd in the full distance 21.85 km event.

A short course of 7kms for the Juniors / Women saw some new faces filling the top placings although the lean and strong HMB rider Manoj Shrestha, a young veteran to the sport was sure to clench top place holding the spot firmly from Anil Staphit & Sanjeev Thapa.

The women had a last minute entry on race morning in Australian Mardi Beat who showed her smooth riding style over the 7km climb with a convincing win followed by two Nepali ladies in Nirjala Tamrakar & Kemeka Bhandari. A broken chain at the 2km mark however cost Tamrakar dearly in valuable minutes & momentum, finally finishing in a deserving second place.

One of the biggest occasions for the day was the disabled wheelchair athletes of Nepal who entered this Himalayan Mountain Bike Event for the first time and also marking the first road race for these gutsy sportsmen. Marking a historic occasion they tackled the 4.5km, steepest portion of the whole course, with all 10 participants making a hero’s welcome under the finish gate in a true show of determination and grit that tested their equipment and muscles to the last. Today has set the future of more races for these athletes as they now look to Race 2 in Nagarkot to consolidate their reputations & experiences.

Race Director Peter Stewart stated, "I am overwhelmed at the support contributed by the Kakani VDC’s, Police and race volunteers making a fitting conclusion to a well attended first race & stunning performances of the mountain bikers over a challenging 22 kms climb"

All eyes are now on Race 2 next Sunday to see who will claim the ‘downhill crown’ from Nagarkot to Sankhu, which offers a different challenge to the Kakani climb.