{"id":3897,"date":"2024-11-25T00:48:34","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T19:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/blog\/"},"modified":"2024-12-09T23:31:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T17:46:47","slug":"a-homecoming-for-nepals-global-riders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/feature\/a-homecoming-for-nepals-global-riders\/","title":{"rendered":"A homecoming for Nepal’s global riders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Pokhara Enduro, now in its second year, has quickly evolved into much more than a race. It is a celebration of community, culture and the powerful connection between Nepali expatriates and their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally planned for April 2020, the event finally made its debut last year. It marked the start of an adventure that blends the thrill of mountain biking with Pokhara’s rich heritage. Against the backdrop of the Himalayas, 56 riders from 11 countries gathered in Mahaprabhu Dham, creating a shared experience that has resonated far beyond the trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the Pokhara Enduro has drawn 60 riders from 13 countries. The three-day event begins on November 27. Notably, there has been a rise in Nepali expatriates returning home to race\u2014albeit in small numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo expat Nepali riders participated last year. This time, there are five,\u201d says Race Director Sunil Chandra Sharma. \u201cWe were aiming for a total of 100 participants, with at least 20 expat Nepalis this year. However, a sharp rise in international airfares to Nepal threw a wrench into our plans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many riders, Pokhara\u2019s rugged trails symbolise both challenge and nostalgia. One of them is Vijon Rana, a Gurkha in the British Army. Now living in the United Kingdom, his journey back to Nepal has been fuelled by a passion for mountain biking.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Vijon Rana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For participants like him, the event represents a journey back to the landscapes that shaped their identity. \u201cExploring Pokhara\u2019s trails was a dream,\u201d says Rana, who took up mountain biking during his military service. His disciplined approach was honed through national-level competitions as part of the British Army\u2019s CORPS team. This mirrors the resilience and community spirit at the heart of Nepal\u2019s growing cycling scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I haven\u2019t competed in any organised races in Nepal yet. A few casual rides through the Pokhara Valley have rekindled my connection to my homeland,\u201d says Rana, who is among 12 riders racing in the Elite class. \u201cThey\u2019ve also reignited my passion for a sport I came to love during my military service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having competed globally, Rana is particularly inspired by the structured biking culture he has encountered abroad\u2014one that prioritises community over profit through \u201criders for riders\u201d initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rana\u2019s international experience has not only shaped his personal approach to biking but also sparked his belief in Nepal\u2019s potential on the global stage. “Nepal\u2019s natural beauty is unmatched,” he says. “What we need now is organised infrastructure that makes biking accessible to everyone.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His vision aligns with that of many in the diaspora: a Nepal where lift-accessed trails, bike parks, and inclusive programmes turn the country into a world-class biking destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Munesh Ghale, too, sees the potential in Pokhara\u2019s trails, which he compares to world-renowned biking destinations like Whistler and Morzine.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Munesh Ghale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cWith well-maintained trails and bike parks, we could attract riders from around the world,” says Ghale, who has accompanied Rana from the UK. Such developments could transform Pokhara into an adventure hub, benefiting not just tourism but also local economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many Nepali expatriates, the growing international support for cycling infrastructure ignites thoughts about what could be possible in their homeland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the bustling city-state of Singapore, where urban planning and community-driven initiatives have elevated cycling from a mode of transport to a celebrated lifestyle, Lal Bahadur Ale stands as a man inspired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ale, a native of Syangja who has lived in Singapore for over two decades, sees the Pokhara race as the beginning of a vision for Nepal. \u201cThe Pokhara Enduro is incredible, but it\u2019s just the start,\u201d says last year’s Masters \u2018C\u2019 class winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Racing on well-maintained trails in Singapore last year has shown him what is achievable. With the right facilities, Ale believes Nepal could become a global biking hotspot, attracting riders from around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Every time a new cycling path opens overseas, I think about Nepal,” he says. “Our natural beauty deserves world-class facilities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ale\u2019s optimism is shared by many, but as he points out, large-scale progress will require not just community effort but also government support and investment in eco-tourism and infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Lal Bahadur Ale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For Nepali expatriates, the Pokhara Enduro is a symbol of unity and possibility. It\u2019s a reminder that, with collective effort, Nepal’s trails could rank among the world\u2019s best. The involvement of the diaspora, combined with the passion of local riders, is already laying the foundation for this transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, realising this vision starts with nurturing local talent and the Pokhara Enduro is already taking important steps in this direction. It has introduced a Super Junior category, offering free registration for riders aged 11 to 16. This initiative, aimed at removing financial barriers, signals a commitment to developing young bikers and promoting a sustainable cycling culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We need to make biking accessible,” says Rana, emphasising the high cost of equipment as a barrier for many Nepalis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diaspora has begun addressing this by donating gear, mentoring riders and collaborating with local organisations. The Pokhara Enduro has demonstrated what is possible when communities come together. With continued investment, collaboration and a shared vision, Nepal could become a biking haven\u2014one that celebrates its breathtaking landscapes and inspires generations to come.<\/p>\n

Related Images:<\/h3>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The rise in expat participation at Pokhara Enduro showcases the unifying power of adventure sports and their role in strengthening Nepal\u2019s global biking community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2774,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[126,56,127,129],"class_list":["post-3897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature","tag-endurotrail","tag-mtb","tag-pokhara","tag-pokharenduro"],"acf":[],"author_meta":{"display_name":"Suman Malla","author_link":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/author\/suman\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/PoE-Annapurna-300x150.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Feature<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Feature<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["EnduroTrail<\/a>","MTB<\/a>","Pokhara<\/a>","PokharEnduro<\/a>"],"unlinked":["EnduroTrail<\/span>","MTB<\/span>","Pokhara<\/span>","PokharEnduro<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 2 \u0935\u0930\u094d\u0937 ago","modified":"Updated 2 \u0935\u0930\u094d\u0937 ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on 25 \u0928\u094b\u092d\u0947\u092e\u094d\u092c\u0930 2024","modified":"Updated on 9 \u0921\u093f\u0938\u0947\u092e\u094d\u092c\u0930 2024"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on 25 \u0928\u094b\u092d\u0947\u092e\u094d\u092c\u0930 2024 00:48","modified":"Updated on 9 \u0921\u093f\u0938\u0947\u092e\u094d\u092c\u0930 2024 23:31"},"featured_img_caption":"[:en]With 60 riders from 13 countries confirming their participation this year, the Pokhara Enduro Race showcases Nepal\u2019s potential as a world-class biking destination while promoting community and cultural pride. Photo: Anuj Adhikary<\/em>[:]","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3897"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4445,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3897\/revisions\/4445"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8850media.com\/np\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}