STAGE 1

MARCH 3: KATHMANDU TO NUWAKOT RIDEABLE 100%, 45KM, 983M ASCENT, 1383M DESCENT

Starting from the very heart of Kathmandu, there will be a controlled start, behind a lead vehicle until the race is on the outskirts of the city centre. From here the trail climbs a brutal 400m of sealed ascent up through Shivapuri National Park before the trail turns to a flat but very rough jeep track. After about 10km the trail drops 18km and 960m into a rural and flat area rarely frequented by tourists. The day finishes with another hot and brutal 500m ascent of rutted trail towards the 1st days destination of Nuwakot and tranquility.

STAGE 1: PROFILE


STAGE 1: MAP

STAGE 2

MARCH 4: NUWAKOT TO DHADING BESI - RIDEABLE 100%, 50KM, 1359M ASCENT, 1739 DESCENT

A rapid "sealed road" descent starts the day from NUWAKOT to Trisuli Bazaar. From here the race rejoins and rural and undulating jeep trail through arable countryside. The terrain is relentless with numerous climbs and descents and riders skills will be tested with a mixture of rocky and sandy conditions. The stage finishes with a descent into Dhading Besi, the districts major town. Although this is early spring, temperatures will be into the mid 20's as the trail drops to only 500m above sea level.

STAGE 2: PROFILE


STAGE 2: MAP

STAGE 3

MARCH 5: DHADING BESI TO GORKHA - RIDEABLE 100%, 56KM - 1700M ASCENT, 1567M DESCENT

What goes down must go up and from Dhading its a climb back up into the Himalayan foothills. Another day to test the legs and mettle of the riders with more relentless but breath taking scenery. The stage finishes in Gorkha, Nepal's former capital, and for those finishing early enough this is a great opportunity to visit the ancient palace complex perched on the side of the surrounding hills.

STAGE 3: PROFILE


STAGE 3: MAP

STAGE 4

MARCH 6: GORKHA TO BESI SAHAR - RIDEABLE 100%, 61KM, 1121M ASCENT, 1368M DESCENT

An 8km downhill section on jeep track starts the day and from then the trails in gently (in a Himalayan style) undulating until it reaches the the sealed road to Besi Sahar. A rare opportunity to use the big ring then rears its head with a 30km section of sealed road but this will be hot and again "undulating"!

STAGE 4: PROFILE

STAGE 4: MAP

STAGE 5

MARCH 7: BESI SAHAR TO TAAL - RIDEABLE 70%, ALT: 760M - 1700M, DISTANCE: 40KM, 1635M ASCENT

Approx. 2km of sealed road starts the race along Besi Sahar main street. The trail soon turns to rough jeep track, and follows the course of the Marshyangdi river along the left side of the valley.
After approx. 30km the jeep track runs out and from then its 11km of mainly push and carry up steep rocky climbs with a final 1km descent into the flat valley surrounding Taal.

STAGE 5: PROFILE


STAGE 5: MAP

STAGE 6

MARCH 8: TAAL TO CHAME - RIDEABLE 33%, ALT: 1700M - 2570M, DISTANCE: 23KM, 1365M ASCENT

Leaving Taal, there is a Mani wall (dry stone wall inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates) in the middle of the path. These should always be passed on the left. After going by fields of maize, barley and potatoes, the valley becomes narrow again. From Taal to Danaqu it will involve a large % of push / carry with a very steep hard climb out of Danaqu. From here though it becomes more rideable with closer views of snow capped peaks and a wide flowing trail to the finish.After a hard days work to reach Chame, competitors can relax by the hot springs on the other side of the Marshyangdi Khola, enjoy the fares at the bakery, or even email home from the internet cafe.

STAGE 6: PROFILE

STAGE 6: MAP

STAGE 7

MARCH 9: CHAME TO MANANG - RIDEABLE 75%, ALT: 2570M - 3540M, DISTANCE: 30KM, 1044M ASCENT

The route today takes competitors through a dense forest in a steep, narrow valley and crosses a river via two bridges, one at 2910m and then another at 3030m. The trail continues along the river to Pisang, where the altitude is enough to bring on the first symptoms of altitude sickness or AMS. From Pisang, the route follows a wide valley that opens up ahead of us. Competitors will pass through Humde (the highest commercial airport in the world) and Braga with its Gompa and roots in Tibetan religion. A cliff face obscures Manang until were practically upon it and a final steep climb brings us to its prayer wheel lined streets and stunning scenery.|

STAGE 7: PROFILE


STAGE 7: MAP



MARCH 10: REST DAY IN MANANG

It is necessary to spend a resting day in Manang for acclimatisation purposes. To ascend too rapidly could have potentially fatal consequences. There are many short excursions possible from Manang and remaining active is encouraged to aid acclimatisation.

STAGE 8

MARCH 11: MANANG TO THORONG PHEDI - RIDEABLE 68%, ALT: 3540M - 4450M, DISTANCE: 17KM, 980M ASCENT
The race leaves Manang through narrow, medieval looking streets and then climbs steadily upto Khusang. Although the trail is more rideable above Khusang (3900m), the altitude now takes effect making turning those pedals very hard work. For the majority of the international competitors it becomes a slow hard slog upto Thorong Phedi with an added bonus of having to cross a steep scree landslide area in the final 2km.

STAGE 8: PROFILE


STAGE 8: MAP

STAGE 9

MARCH 12: THORONG PHEDI TO KAGBENI - RIDEABLE 66%, ALT: 4450M - 5416M - 2776M, DISTANCE: 28KM

A 4am start is necessary to cross the Thorong La: the trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the top (approx 5km) and will be 100% carry for bikers. The effects of altitude are now fully felt and the majority of international competitors will be unable to move at anything but a snails pace. Once at the top, the trail descends rapidly on a very steep slope (technical riding) for approximately 45 minutes to a collection of tea-houses and then on fast and flowing single track to Muktinath with its pilgrimage site of the temple of the eternal flame. From here a very fast jeep track descends down to the ancient village of Kagbeni, on the edge of the Mustang district and back to warmth!!

STAGE 9: PROFILE


STAGE 9: MAP

STAGE 10

MARCH 13: KAGBENI TO TATOPANI - RIDEABLE 100%, ALT: 2776 - 1190M, DISTANCE 67KM

The final race stage. Today we will descend from snow capped peaks to tropical lowlands in just under 70km. Leaving Kagbeni the course follows the river bed and heads down the valley towards Jomsom. From here the terrain undulates along jeep track through Jomsom, Marpha and many other small villages along the route. From Kalopani the trail again drops rapidly on a very rough but fast trail to Tatopani, where the next Yak Attack champion will be decided and tired riders can enjoy the revitalising qualities of the village hot springs.

STAGE 10: PROFILE

STAGE 11

MARCH 14: TATOPANI TO KHANIYA GHAT - RIDEABLE 100%, 1190M - 800M, DISTANCE 35KM (GROUP RIDE)

Today the riders can relax and enjoy a fairly flat cruise towards the sealed road and transport back to Pokhara for the prize giving ceremony and post race celebrations. Time to chill, reflect on the previous 10 days and ride alongside the guys youve been competing against for 400km. Transfer to Pokhara by coach approx 3 hours

STAGE 11: MAP



MARCH 15: TRANSFER BY PLANE BACK TO KATHMANDU
After breakfast at the hotel we will return to Kathmandu by plane from Pokhara airport. The journey will take approx 1.5 hours. The bikes will be transfered by vehicle back to Kathmandu and will arrive in the early evening.

ENTRY FEE

REGISTRATION FOR 2012 CLOSED!

We have now included breakfast/dinner for the duration of the race and a return flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu in the 2012 entry fee. Listed below is what is included in the entry fee of £1595 per person.

• 2 nights (March 1st and 2nd) room only on twin sharing basis at Kathmandu Guesthouse.
• 1 nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara.
• All accommodation for the entire duration of the race on twin share basis.
• Set breakfast and evening meal during the race (March 3 to 13).
• Trekking and biking permits.
• Transfers by coach from Chinese Bridge to Pokhara.
• Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
• Transfer of bikes by vehicle back to Kathmandu.
• Porterage of belongings during race (maximum allowance of 10kg pp).
• Jeep support during first 4 days.
• On site remote rescue trained first-aid administer.
• On site bike mechanic.
• Finishers T-shirt, medal and certificate.
• Overall winners prize.
• Stage and spot prizes.
• Prize giving ceremony and post race meal.
  
  

THE FEE EXCLUDES:

• International Flights.
• Equipment including bike, helmet, clothing, sleeping bag, etc.
• Bottled water, soft drinks or alcohol.
• Insurance.
• Private medical services or treatment, emergency medical treatment and emergency evacuation fee.
• Entry visas or immigration services.

The area in which this event takes place is extremely remote with few or no medical facilities. In the event of an emergency it may be necessary to evacuate an injured or seriously ill competitor by helicopter. It is a condition of entry that all competitors have suitable insurance covering them for taking part in this event and allowing for immediate helicopter evacuation in the unlikely event it is needed. This is compulsory and evidence of the policy must be provided before the race start. Any competitor without the necessary insurance will not be allowed to take part.

It is also a condition of entry that all international competitors supply their own GPS unit which is capable of downloading .gpx files of the course. (supplied after payment in full is received).