The 4th of April 2015 will be a landmark day in the history of the sport of Mountain Biking in India.This day will mark the flag off of a 2 day adventure across the foothills of the Himalayas , where athletes from all across India will lock horns to decide who is the ultimate King of Mountain Biking.
The 4th edition of UT MTB Himalaya Shimla 2015 is going to be exceptional where 70 riders from all across India are going to race for the podium , with the youngest rider just 14 years old and the oldest rider still going steady at the age of 54. The maximum number of riders fall in the 18-30 category indicating that the youth are moving towards a healthy lifestyle by choosing pedal power.As we embark on this 2 day journey we also enter the 11th year of pioneering the sport of Mountain Biking in India. It has been a long and tough journey with many ups and downs but the support of the riders , sponsors and our partners has kept us going even through the gloomiest of days.
The race kick starts/ off from the beautiful and historic town of Shimla , once the summer capital of British India. MTB Shimla has grown from a mere 30 riders in the first edition to receiving over 100 applicants and becoming India’s Premier Mountain Biking Event. In simpler words UT MTB Himalaya Shimla has put India and Himachal Pradesh on the world map of cycling. The event will cover an approximate distance of 130 km , through some of the most pristine parts of the Shivalik Mountains also known as the lesser Himalayas or the foothills of the Himalayas.
What sets this race apart from our previous races is the participation of riders from across 11 states of India , 4 nationalities and a total of 12 riders from Himachal Pradesh – The highest ever. There are 6 riders from Himachal in the students category and they all are going to be tough contenders to beat. The Hero Action Team, the only professional team in India for Mountain Biking has a total of 5 riders participating , who are sponsored by Hero and managed by HASTPA. The youngest rider in the HERO action team is 15 years old , Hero is playing a very important part in promoting the sport amongst the youth.The Race has slowly but steadily risen to a platform where it is now attracting professional riders from all across the world.
We cannot thank our partners Hero Cycles and UT Bikes enough for having extended their full support to make sure that the race is conducted at par with International standards. Hero cycles have joined hands with us , for 5 years , with a vision to make UT MTB Himalaya Shimla the most popular race ever and establish India as a premier destination for mountain Biking.
We can proudly claim that the route for the 4th edition of the race is the most challenging and yet the most beautiful route around Shimla.The total vertical climb of the race will be close to 3000 M over two days. The highest altitude of the trail is 2250 M and the lowest is 1150 M. The riders will ride through gut wrenching uphills, Speedy downhills, village back roads, beautiful meadows, thick vegetation, jeep
tracks, wildlife sanctuary and savor real mountain biking. Every turn will reveal a vista so unique, so beautiful that we guarantee it will take your breath away.
HERO CYCLES & HASTPA collaboration
It is a matter of immense pride and utmost privilege that HASTPA has taken its collaboration with Hero to the next level , strengthening their bonds with the biggest integrated Bicycle manufacturers in the world – Hero Cycles , with a vision to organise many more events at par with international Standards.
The Hero cycles and HASTPA association has provided a platform for promoting and nurturing young talent in mountain biking with the establishment of school level programs and mountain biking training academies. The sport of cycling and mountain biking has been introduced in schools through the school programs. Hero cycles and Hastpa has endorsed deserving cyclists from the academies for International and National cycling events.
Hero cycles has played a very crucial part in inspiring riders by sponsoring young riders with high end bikes, training and nutrition support in the form of Hero Action Team. It is the only professional team of Mountain Biking in India , it is managed by HASTPA.The collective vision of Hero ad HASTPA is to be at the forefront of bike advocacy in order to have an impact on people of all ages and backgrounds by spreading awareness about the positive fallouts of cycling on health , environment and lifestyle. Hero cycles and HASTPA have been primarily motivated to address and promote holistic adventure tourism in India , encompassing pertinent issues of sustainable tourism , such as livelihood , environment conservation , community based tourism.They have joined forces to bring out a revolution in the sport of cycling and to make the Himalayas and India the most sought after mountain biking destination in the world and they have started achieving what they aimed for. India is now on the map of cycling destinations in the world and the MTB Himalaya receives renowned riders from all across the world
DAY 1
Place
Time
HHH , Shimla – Flag Off
8 :30 AM
Sadhupul
9:30 AM
AnandPur
10:15 AM
Doglanala
11:15 AM
Junga
12:00 PM
Janedghat
2:00 PM
DAY 2
Place
Time
Chail Palace – Flag Off
9 : 00 AM
Janedghat
9:30 AM
Sadhupul
10:30 AM
Shoghi
12:30 PM
Tara Devi Singletrack
2:00 PM
HHH
3:00 PM
Rider’s Profile
Devender Thakur- Devender Thakur needs no introduction , at just 21 he has mastered the techniques , has gained a lot of experience and was the overall winner in the 3rd edition of UT MTB Shimla .
Johan Bentinck- Has been a part of MTB Shimla since 2012 . His previous experience include the 2012 and 2014 edition of MTB Himalaya. He loves the camaraderie, great vistas, and the thrill of competition. The sound of the tyres hitting the gravel on jeep tracks. Sure he is a contender to look out for!!
Sunil Borangpa- Has been riding regularly for last 5-6 years, loves going for long rides specially uphills. He has been a part of The Himalayan Trails and Dust since the last four years & has also participated in Firefox firestorm. For him, racing is the best way to keep your adrenaline pumping & brings the best out of you!!
Shiven – At just 15 , he is one of the youngest riders and has gained a lot of experience riding in major races at a very young age. He has been a part of MTB Shimla since its first edition. Has been a part of MTB Nationals 2014-15 , Decathlon races , Churdhar Expedition, Dust And Trails.
Ryan Dkhar – Started riding at a very early age and has never stopped since then! First he took up BMX Street, then Mountain biking and road Competed in the MTB Shimla 2013 and also earned a podium ranking.
Jasbir Singh – A very well experienced rider .He is a respected mentor to the young riders and has been a part of MTB Shimla since its initial edition .