Some questions by Janel Answered

These are in response to questions asked by Janel.

1. Weather during the month of March to April usually used to be dry but however due to recent changes in GLOBAL WARMING sometimes we get rain. October was a misprint and my sincere apologies.
2. Temperature varies from Place to Place in Gangtok it 10degree Celsius to 22 degree Celsius and when at Ravong it 4degree to 11 degree.
3. Yeah it is correct Day was Map does state Feet
4. We will be storing Bike Boxes during the Race from Day 1 to Day 9.
5. Tents are water proof.
6. Racer list will be publicised
7. Last year result detail are not on net and will mail you soon.
8. Every day after Race is over Result will be publicised within Three hours and will also be putted on Net.
9. Every day you will be briefed by Commissar President about Race, Route, Refreshment Point Do's & Don't etc.
10 A detail Map with Kilometre will be provided by us.
11. Entire Route is well marked and guarded by a strong team of volunteers and official.
12. A wireless communication is available throughout the race
13. A stand by Helicopter of Indian Army for any eventuality

Get your Vaccines

Get your Shots!!! Or don't.

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationIndia.aspx

Pulling the trigger!

So far Doug, Janel and Timmy D are proud owners of plane tickets.
That makes 4 of us!

Some refinements to what's going on.!

Things you might not deduce from the Sikkimmtb.com

You should register NOW!!
And buy your tickets soon, because prices will fluctuate.
I was just looking at www.vayama.com. From JFK to Delhi nonstop is $888. Then Ticket to Bagdogra was about $170

Transportation from Bagdogra to Gantok and back is free!!

Days to be there..18th-30th

18th=First night that the tourism dept starts paying for hotel rooms.
19th=Race registration
20th race starts-28th
29th=Awards
30th=Tourism Department takes everyone on a sight seeing tour!
31st= Shuttles back to Bagdogra

Check in on the 19th at the HOTEL MAYUR / HOTEL SOYENG at Gangtok at the latest.

Arrange your flight from your arrival airport in India to Bagdogra on line.
Again www.vayama.com is my favorite search engine.

If you need to stay longer contact HOTEL MAYUR / HOTEL SOYENG at Gangtok, for days to stay there. Racer discount puts room rates at $18 night!!

Sikkimmtb.com now operating

The official website is up. Looks like the info is in good shape.

Answers are rolling in! Ever taken a helicopter ride below the Himalayas?

Notice the number of people standing along the road.

This is starting to look better all the time. Read through this bit of information from MR. Nayak. Did you see the part about a helicopter ride to the race start for only $60. That might be a must do!

Don't forget the Indian Airforce Air show.

Registration will be open online from 15^th Dec 08 to till Feb 28^th 09

One can register with our office by person from 15^th Dec 08 to till 18^th March 09

We expect all participant to report to us by 18^th March 09 (last date for Registration)

Participants will be provided Accommodation at Gangtok (Hotel Mayur/Soyeng/Mt. Jupno) on twin sharing basis from 18^th March 09 to 20^th March 09. If any participants arrive earlier can stay in these hotel at a discount Rate of 50% on normal Rate. We advise all participants to inform us about their Travel Plan so as to make his/her stay more comfortable.

Participants weather individual or in group will be provided a free transportation from Bagdogra which is only 135 km away from Gangtok. On reaching at Bagdogra Airport one can see Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim felicitation counter at Arrival lounge and required to register his/her arrival so as to make our official to arrange for onwards journey by road. We have a helicopter services from Bagdogra to Gangtok but at a cost of 60US$ per person and can accommodated max of five person in a trip.

During the stay with us from 18^th March 09 to 20^th March 09 morn you will be provided with all meals and hotels rooms are attached bath with hot and cold water round the clock with all modern facilities that one ask for.

19^th March 09 : Briefing to participants by the Commissar and official will be held in the conference/ dining room of Hotel Mayur at 18-30 hrs followed by dinner hosted by Minister Tourism, Government of Sikkim.

20^th March 09:After an early breakfast all participants have to report with their bikes at Ridge Park by 8.00hrs. Please ensure your baggage registration and collect Baggage Receipt from the concern officer.

9.00 hrs Arrival of Chief guest and other dignitaries.

9.10 hrs Personal interaction with participants by Chief Guest and Garlanding (A traditional welcome followed by welcome note by these dignitaries.

9.30 hrs FLAG OFF BY CHIEF GUEST.

On 28^th March 09 the Race will be finished at Rongpo which is approx 40 km away from Gangtok by 17.00hrs

On 29^th March all participants will be brought back to Gangtok Hotel after their breakfast in the Morning 11.00Hrs Lunch will be served at Hotel

A AIR SHOW AND SKY DIVING WILL BE HELD BY INDIAN AIRFORCE AT 13.00 Hrs at Gangtok followed by a Gala Lunch hosted by Department for participants and AIRFORCE TEAM.

19.00 Hrs: Felicitation/ Prize Distribution Ceremony will be held in the Conference room of Hotel Mayur followed by a Gala Dinner.

On 30^th March 09 Participants will be taken for a day tour to some of the tourist spot in and around Gangtok. Lunch will be served either in a Hotel en-route or in packet.

On 1^st April 09 Participants are advised to vacate their room any time during the day. Any extended stay attract 50% normal tariff and have to make arrangement with official.

India Calling.. Guts in you?

I got a message from my Sikkim Tourism Dept. contact Saroj a couple days ago. This is what I see:

and here is the soon to be updated and new webpage.
www.sikkimmtb.com

"The webpage is going to be on net by 15^th Dec,

AIRINDIA is still considering our request and hopefully it will be resolved by all means in next couple of days.

INDIAN AIRFORCE & INDIAN ARMY has agreed to participate in this event and expect around 30 participants from them more over INDIAN AIRFORCE will have a skydiving show on 30^th March (Our prize distribution Ceremony Day at Gangtok)

Nepal Mountain Biking Association in the meantime assure us to send their best team.

FIREFOX the MTB Cycle company is spreading the news among their customer and are going to be our technical partner and will provide free maintance and service to all bikers with route signage."

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is all set to support this event like they had it in last year.

Just let me know how many friend are coming along with you and what is the present status of for getting our event enrol as official event with IMBA and what are our obligation and procedure involved at an earliest.