Himalayan High for Mountain Bikers

Phil Evans / 22.02.2010

It's now just 2 weeks until Extreme World Challenges' "Yak Attack 2010" commences from the very heart of mystical Kathmandu, Nepal. This 9 day stage mountain bike race, which encompasses the massive Annapurna mountain range, and climbs to a dizzying height of 5416 metres, is now in its fouth year.

The event has suffered a few setbacks during 2010, the major one being the withdrawal of the title sponsor at the last minute. The consequence of this is that the event organisers haven't been able to offer as many free places to Nepali riders as anticipated. This is a big shame as, for many, this is the only chance local riders get to compete against an international field and to race for a cash purse.

However, with the support of Genesis bikes, Torq Fitness and Montane, the event will be going ahead as planned and has captured the interest of keen mountain bikers from around the world looking for the "ultimate challenge". Amongst the 2010 competitors are Martin Stenmarc, a former Eurovision song contest winner, Andreas Danielsson, Sweden's national mountain bike coach, and Paul Errington, who during 2010 will be taking on the coldest, the highest and the hottest mountain bike races on earth.

This year the course has been lengthened and will now give competitors the opportunity to ride amongst the Himalayan foothills before hitting the mountains proper. Leaving from the very centre of Nepal's capital city, the race will climb out of the Kathmandu valley and the follow the itinerary below :-

Day 1 Kathmandu to Nawakot - Rideable 100% - 57km, 550m ascent - 950m descent.
Day 2 Nawakot to Gorka - Rideable 100% - 100km - 1800m ascent - 1700m descent.
Day 3 Gorka to Besi Sahar - Rideable 100% - 57km - 500m ascent - 800m descent.
Day 4 Besi Sahar toTaal - Rideable: 70% -:40km - 1635m ascent
Day 5 Taal to Chame Rideable: 33% 23km - 1365m ascent
Day 6 Chame to Manang Rideable: 75% 30km - 1044m ascent
Day 7 Manang to Thorong Phedi Rideable: 68% - 17km - 980m ascent
Day 8 Thorong Phedi to Muktinath Rideable: 66% 18km Altitude: 4450m- 5416m—3750m
Day 9 Muktinath to Tatopani - Rideable 100% - 67km - 2600m descent

The course covers a total distance of approx 420km and climbs over 8000m. Each stage carries a cash prize and the ultimate winner will receive a Genesis Altitude 20 mountain bike.

The race starts on March 9th and results will be posted daily via a Bgan satellite dish from deep in the Himalayas.