By IANS,
Shimla : Over 70 cyclists will traverse the rugged ranges of Himachal Pradesh in the country’s toughest cycle rally – the Hercules MTB Himachal 2010 – that will begin from the state capital later this month.
“The sixth edition, which has over 70 cyclists, including 11 foreigners, would be flagged off from Shimla Oct 23,” Mohit Sood, president of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (Hastpa), told IANS.
The cyclist would cover approximately 550 km in eight days, he said. The rally would pass through Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts.
Teams representing the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) would also participate.
“The rally would pass through the Jalori Pass (at 3,223 metres), the highest point in the rally, in Kullu district,” said Sood.
The foreign participants are from the US, Austria, Germany, Nepal and Bhutan.
The Hercules MTB Himachal has been billed as the third toughest mountain biking event in the world. The other two are Trans-Alps Challenge (Europe) and Trans Rockies (Canada).
Two-time consecutive winner Padam Sabenhang of Nepal is again participating in the rally that will conclude here Oct 30.