M A I N   N E W S

biking rally
3 mishaps on Day One
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 1
It was a miraculous escape for Jardine, a rider from South Africa, as his cycle rolled down 150 feet into a deep gorge near Thaila on Day One of the seventh Hercules MTB-2011, a mountain biking rally which has emerged as a major sports event drawing participants from several countries.

There were three mishaps today, with cyclists getting away with bruises except Jitender, representing Indian Army, who had a knee injury. A participant from Kolhapur sustained an injury as his cycle skidded. The cyclists covered a total distance of 72 km today.

“It was the sheer acumen of the cyclist that saved Jardine as he jumped off the cycle before it plunged deep into the gorge, ensuring a miraculous escape,” said Mohit Sood, President of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association. Undeterred by the accident, he has decided to continue in the non-competitive amateur section.

The 104 participants, including 17 pilots from France, Belgium, South Africa, USA, UK, Ireland and Nepal, set off on the arduous but fascinatingly perilous ride from here, after the flagging off by the state Governor Urmila Singh. Some of the participants from abroad have taken part in the competition earlier too.

Another hitch on Day One was the delayed departure at 10 am. Some participants in the amateur section were unable to complete the 72-km first day stretch and had to be ferried to the camp in vehicles as it had become too dark.

The cyclists are staying at the hamlet of Ghara Kuffar near Matiana, where there is a special camp for them. They are to set out on their onward journey early tomorrow morning.