July 16, 2016 Kathmandu Kora is being organized annually since 2002. And I participated this year challenging myself on 100 KM cycling around Kathmandu Valley. I had done few long ride like Kathmandu-Lumbini, Kathmandu-Everest Tea garden-Sundarijal, Kathmandu-Chandragiri-Kulekhani. And I had completed 100K and more on those ride but those trail was mostly paved and downhill dominated. But this Kora route had no such advantages. I got the Kora App and look at the routes. It almost encircles Kathmandu Valley. As it encircles from outer side of valley, I assumed the trail could be hardly paved. Anyway, challenge is already accepted.
the 100k trail. Check my trail trace here
They were raising fund on every kora to help on some social cause. http://kathmandukora.net/cause/ . And I have pledged to raise 2000 from my side. Hence I asked on my close friend circle and the guys come out to be generous. I succeeded to rise 1900 from friends, after which I closed the fund rise and contributed rest myself. I am grateful to all my friends helping me. One day to kora and I started preparation. I got my first pair of padded shorts and t-shirt for cycling. Performed through cleaning of bike and collected some energy rich diet to have on the way. Oh yes, just recently I have changed my handlebar to butterfly handlebar and I took this ride as test to this bar. On night I drifted sometimes thinking which water bottle to take and which bag to carry 🙂 (decision was to take a plastic bottle though I have 2 bottle holder on my bike. The remaining one could be used to put mineral water bottle bought on the way.) Wake up early and packed my side bag with tools, tied air pump on the frame, refilled water bottle and headed for Patan Durbar Square. people are already there, ready for ride. 100K ride was said to start on 7:15 AM. I handed over the money I raised and lined up for the ride. There were around 80 participants doing 100K where as Kora as whole got more than 2000 riders. It started on time. We headed to Chobar. The first uphill was at Chovar. It’s the long one and pretty hard. We group of 10-15 people were there leading along with the crew riders. There were markers on the main junction. Then we passed through Matatirtha, Gurjudhar(crossed Tribhuvan highway here), Ramkot and then to our first water point at Whitegumba. Rest there for 5 minutes and started again. Rached Balaju bipass road and climbed upto Mudkhu and had breakfast. I had chana and fruit juice. We meet some 75K riders there. There after the most technical ride of the trail started. We passed through single trail(goat trail), muddy way and paddled through rice field. At Jhor, we took a large descend and on this excitement of downhill, I lost to keep track of the trail marker and hence I lost the trail. Instead reached trail of 50K and I had to look at the map on my Phone. I saw I have been bit south So I decided to go north until I reach the trail again. Reached Budhalikantah road and then catched the orginal trail again. At around Tokha, I got a problem on my chain. It was full of trail mud and hence it started to rotate sticking along the chain wheel. I hadn’t carried lubricant or rag to clean it up. I saw some pro rider cleaning chain with brush and lubricating it so as to smooth its operation. I had water and I used that to clean up the mud and it worded. It was temporal solution but I decided to carry oil and cleaning rag for next ride. Lesson learned. It was already 13:00 and we were supposed to have lunch at Bouddha.While I was feeling hunger and thirst. I felt I need some salt water as I was sweating all the day but I hadn’t carried any ORS with me. And I can’t find medical on that very spot. So I bought a liter of water and asked the shopkeeper to add some salt in it. Hahaha I had salty water there after. On the way I had some sneakers and energy bar. It was around 13:30 when I reached lunch point. The food was expensive though I had a chatameri(a typical newari bread) and juice. After having rest we headed for sundarijal. Most of the way there after was familiar to me as I had been on the way before on various occasion. Racehed long uphill near Sankhu. And I was left behind by the crew team. Anyway, I keep on paddling, looking for the trail marker, asking locals. Crossed Araniko Highway at Sankhadhar Chwok, and then reached balkumari lalitpur and finally to Patan Durbar Square. I took medal provided by kora organizer. Met some amazing people on the trail. Some were giving me direction regardless of me asking. Some informing me that the other riders already be ahead. A child was commenting, this guy becomes the last. Hahaha. Anyway, people are friendly and helpful. It took me 10 hrs to complete with 8 complete hours of cycling. After all, It was nice trip. Thanks to the orginizer and thanks to everyone. Will ride again.