Tuesday, September 30, 2008

India Stage Race: Ground Zero

Greetings.
This blog will be your source for up to date information on the 9 day stage race in India on March 20-29th 2009. This is the Race's home page...
My name is Harlan Price and I'll be acting as the US liaison for the race organizers. If you have questions about the race and it's logistics, I hope the answers you are looking for can be found here. If you have an unanswered question you can ask me or email
Mr. Saroj Nayak (sarojy2k@gmail.com) at the Sikkim Tourism department.
If you find out a useful piece of information please share it with us, and I'll post it to the site for the benefit of all.

Below you'll find some initial information. I plan in the next few days to organize the information and spruce up this site. Right now, get your plans sorted and mark the dates on the calender.
I just randomly met a gal who has been studying in India and says that the state of Sikkim is one of the most beautiful states in Inida. There you go...a random endorsement!
.
India, here we come....

Stage race in the North Eastern state of Sikkim in India.
The link has last years race details, but I am told they are the same for 2009. Last year only 38 people did the race, mostly do to the location. The entry fee of $500 gets you 12 days of being taken care of. 9 of those days are racing 15-42 miles a day on the mountainbike. They don't seem like long days, but the climbing is going to be the biggest challenge.
The numbers are a little confusing, and I've been in contact with the tourism department to get some clarification.
9days
430km
14,000m of climbing
highest elevation is 6600ft. But in the region with the third highest peak in the world.
three hotel nights
9nights in two person tents.
Food, breakfast, dinner

Flights from JFK to New Delhi are looking to be in the $1000 dollar range. But once there a second flight needs to be taken to the closest airport, BAGDOGRA AIRPORT.
KAYAK has the best search engine for finding flights.
The promoter is trying to get discounts on the flights for international racers.

If you are interested in going let me know. From the research I've been doing, the event will be the experience of a lifetime, at a very inexpensive price. The tourism department is very motivated to get international participation. If you want to ask them any questions direct your questions to me or Mr. Saroj Nayak (sarojy2k@gmail.com).

It looks like I am going to be the US public relations person for the race. So if you decide to sign up, let the promoter and myself know. We will do what we can to make the trip planning go as smoothly as possible.
Some related links:
http://in.news.yahoo.com/ani/20080310/r_t_ani_nl_nri/tnl-mountain-biking-expedition-gets-unde-d03182a.html
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/12/95442/7231/travel/Mountain+Biking+in+Thin+Air:+Khanchendzonga
http://sikkim-himalayanreview.blogspot.com/2008/03/padam-kulbir-kaur-and-ang-win-in.html
http://sikkim-himalayanreview.blogspot.com/2008/03/nepal-duo-wins-khanchendzonga-mountain.html
http://sikkim-himalayanreview.blogspot.com/2008/03/nepal-rider-going-great-guns.html
http://www.sikkiminfo.net/travel_guide.htm

I'm gathering more information daily.

2 comments:

vnjunior said...

Hi Harlan,
I'm an associate of Mr. Nayak and he told me about the blog you've created! Good going! I hope to be able to give some valuable inputs for the same soon enough. We'll keep in touch!
Vaibhav

jonsarver said...

Harlan- Hi I am writing from Asheville- a couple of us are interested in this event. I spent 4 mos in India a while back and lost 20 lbs. Is this race set up for weak gastro foreigners? Is there bottled water provided at all stations? How about the food, is it prepared so lame weak stomach american guys can handle it? Not the flavor but the prep- I love wicked hot indian food but we could not eat fresh produce when I was there because the water it was washed in would make us sick. It is a very real issue when travelling in India. Thanks for any info you can provide. Also what is the weather like at this race? With tent accomodations it must be a fairly warm and dry season. How about the course- any word on % of single track vs. road, double track etc. We raced (actually rode) la Ruta in 2007 and I would like to know if anyone out there can give us a comparison. Many thanks. Jon