Given the amount of media coverage Nepal is receiving at the moment this is a question that may well be asked and is from time to time.

Himalayan Mountain Bike, operates from Kathmandu and has done since 1988. We have a strong relationship with the major Embassies in the Capital (Australian, USA, British, Japan, German etc) and we obtain their regular travel warning dispatches. In additional we have the opportunity to discuss other issues with them that may not make such travel notices. The subject of security is closely followed by HMB.

It should be said that the Maoist and security forces activities are largely taking place in remote parts of the Kingdom and it has very little impact on daily life and activities around Kathmandu valley. The philosophy of the Maoists is also NOT to cause any trouble to foreigners and tourists and, as such, they have activity taken measures to safeguard tourists from any risky activities. Nobody has been harmed or injured to-date.

The events and activities planned by Himalayan Mountain Bikes as part of the "Siemens Action Asia Himalayan Mountain Bike race Series" are being run in conjunction with the full support of the local Village Development Committee's (VDC's) in each of the districts the races visit. This approach ensures the community is aware and involved in the staging of our races and tours and most importantly supports them also. This approach will in fact result in one of the high points of the series, when competitors and spectators get to be the guests of every village we travel through.

If this is not sufficient to calm any concerned minds, there will be the usual security support via police on-course support, crowd control, and lead vehicle on approaches to towns during the races. Roads will be closed to all traffic that the events are conducted on. All races are in and around the Kathmandu Valley Rim and these areas are very much peaceful regions, as is most of Nepal. The race series will be well supervised and our joint promoters [Nepal Tourism Board, VDC's and tourism committees plus Nepal Police Force] will ensure a hassle free race series, as will the non-violent policies by Maoists towards tourist activities and tourists. We are very confident all attending our series in Nov. 2002 will be returning home safe and overloaded with great memories.

Happy Trails,
Peter Stewart
Race Director - Siemens Action Asia Himalayan Mountain Bike Race Series