THE EVENT

"MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL" is the only event of its kind in the Indian
subcontinent, and takes precedence from similar events around the
world, notably "The Trans-Alp Challenge" in Europe and "The
Trans-Rockies Challenge" in Canada. The race format in India is more
adventurous and challenging owing to the grandeur and scale of the
Himalayas. The average altitude is 2300mts, and the endurance
challenge goes through some of the most exquisite Himalayan terrain in
the backcountry of Himachal Pradesh, trails meandering through free
flowing streams and verdant valleys, the best as it can get anywhere
in the world to pursue the sport of Mountain Cycling.

In its 4th edition, the route is almost similar to the one in 2007;
though expect more challenges and stages as well as time trials. The
adventure becomes more adrenalized and much tougher than its preceding
avatars. The chequered flag goes up on the 26th of September at
Shimla, the start of the adventure and the finish podium is set at
Manali on the 5th October. The total kilometers of the route this year
almost remain the same; 731kms however expect more stages, time trials
and very tough hike and bike sections.


LOGISTICAL GIANT

The race is a huge logistical and organizational enterprise, owing to
the difficult terrain, and undertaking the boarding and lodging of
riders and officials. Riders and officials stay in Tent villages every
night which are erected one day prior to arrival at each campsite. All
these villages are fully quipped with facilities for hot showers,
eco-friendly toilets, presentation area, bike parking lot, dining
area, kitchen area. The entourage of the event consists of
approximately 170-180 people.

Enroute the event is monitored by wireless equipped official jeeps,
keeping track of each rider and their location. The whole route is GPS
mapped prior to the event. To provide for nutrition of the riders,
which such a race demands, there are four feeding stations at
equivalent distances everyday, serving nutritional drinks (Stamina,
Gatorade etc), fruits, and Glucose etc. the 2nd or the 3rd Feeding
station everyday serves as the lunch halt. For safety of the riders
and officials, there are four fully equipped ambulances with 8
doctors. To meet any on road or trail emergencies there is a 12 men
strong rescue team, well trained from the western Himalayan Institute
of Mountaineering, Manali. To relax those tired muscles, there is even
provision for massage at the campsites every night. The feeding
stations are manned by trained marshals as are the time control zones.


MEDIA COVERAGE

In the previous years the race has been widely covered in national
media. CNN IBN, DD SPORTS, AXN, ZEE NEWS, ZEE SPORTS, NDTV all gave a
30 min airtime to the event. Major outdoor magazines like Outlook
Traveler, Adventure World carried features and pre-event
advertisements for the event. Also national dailies were forthcoming
in covering the event and providing with much mileage. Last year
Indiatimes was the official media sponsor which carried a series of
advertisements across its "Times of India" publication throughout the
country. Radio Mirchi was the official radio partner running a series
of jingles for the promotion of event.

Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) is
looking forward to organize the 2008 edition with much aplomb and
greater media hype, to take the event and the sport of mountain
cycling to the next level amongst the people in India and abroad. The
official website statistics show an upsurge in the number of hits and
visits from India. The team is looking forward to close the event this
year with a rise in participation, as confirmed entries from army (16
riders), Australia (11 riders), England (6riders) have been received.
As and when the promotional campaign begins for the event the numbers
are expectedly going to swell with the entries being closed at 80
riders.


SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

As a first race of its kind in India, a lot of opportunities exist for
prospective sponsors to leverage the event and use it to enhance their
brand image. A simple message to be connected with such an event would
be to promote, safe, minimum impact, eco friendly adventure, which is
healthy (Cycling as a healthy sport) has a social value (a sustainable
tourism initiative for the local populace of Himachal Pradesh) and
creates value for its associates (the first event of its kind in the
country, helping to lay the foundation of a new sport in the country)
which has a youth feel to it (keeping in view that according to a
recent survey India is a young nation with approximately 75%
population under 25).

For sponsorship enquiries kindly contact Akhil at 92185 00122 or send
a mail to akhilp19@... with a CC to my id or call

Carpe diem !

Varun