Bike Ride Nepal To Kalimpong - Feb 2011
To date 3 Bengal Bike Rides have taken place. The first took place in Februaiy 2006 and was repeated in 2008 & 2010. Each have been immensely successful as fun - fund raisers and following on the enthusiastic up-take this year when 19 cyclists raised an estimated £70,000, it has been decided to launch another Bike Ride next year in February 2011. Last February's cyclists reported upon a very splendid and rewarding experience but the route, National Highway 31, has become crowded to the point of being dangerous and a cycling group of 19 is a little too large to escort efficiently. As a result, for February 2011, two new routes are being investigated. These are Kathrnandu (Nepal) to Kalinipong (possibly via Darjeeling) and Gauhati (Assam) to Kalimpong. Both are roughly of the same distance as the Kolkata to Kalimpong route and both have their attractions.
It will be some time before Prakhash (our on the spot organiser) will be able to survey these routes. Thereafter a choice will be made. Kathrnandu to Kalirnpong has a ‘romantic appeal’ and would be my preference but much will depend upon road conditions. A maximum of 15 cyclists will be imposed. In the meantime this message is to invite genuine expressions of interest and to share the event with your freinds and colleagues. Conditions for participation remain as before, namely
(1) The possession of a bicycle!
(2) A reasonable degree of fitness - sufficient to cycle between 70 (shortest) and 130 (longest) km per day [43-80 miles].
(3) A considerable degree of sociability and a willingness to tolerate minor inconveniencies!
(4) Willingness to take a minimum of 13 days leave in February 2011;
(5) Preparedness to pay all travelling and subsistence expenses- estimated at £1200 which includes everything ca 5 nights in good hotels, all meals and tentage, back up support and the thrill of an Indian Railway sleeper train! Flight costs from UK to the Indian sub-continent are not included. Surplus if any to the £1200 will be of course refunded. Facilities en route are excellent and there is no better way than cycling to experience, firsthand, the culture, people and land of a different country.
(6) In addition, willingness to raise at least £1000 for the work of Dr. Graham's Homes. (This is only 10x £100 donations or a fund raising event could be organised.)
The joy and satisfaction of completing the challenge will be far out-weighed by the rewards of helping a child to "walk this earth with dignity". It is worth adding that this bike ride is not a race and it is quite possible (and acceptable) that due to fatigue or whatever you choose to put your bike in the back up vehicle and ride in comfort for the whole or part of a particular day!
Please complete the Booking Form and return by, 30th September at the latest. Places, up to a maximum of 15 will be allocated on a first come first served basis.Click on the following links for the Booking Form [MS word or PDF Formats)
Booking Form (.doc) Booking Form (.pdf)
Click here for a 2010 participants Web Links - Richard Small
