Report: Ladakh MTB Festival Celebrates the Opening of the Disko Valley Bike Park
Lower Himayalan territory of Ladakh in northern India saw the region's first downhill and pump track event this year.
One of the highest riding zones of India at 3500m, Ladakh runs the magnificent Himalayas through its horizon. Known for its mountaineering, bicycle touring, bouldering topography, Ladakh now has a new feather in the cap, the “Disko Valley Bike Park” by Unexplored Ladakh.
Ladakh’s first Pump track and Downhill comp at the Ladakh Mountain Bike Festival 2019 was twinned with the inauguration of the Disko Valley Bike Park. In its first phase, the Disko Valley Bike Park currently includes a 200 metre dirt pump track, table top jumps, a 500 metre short track DH course, a 40ft double jump dedicated to late Ajay Padval. Surrounded by mega mountains on all sides, the Disko Valley will see more features dug up this winter.
Ride clinics in session. New riders learning the intricacies of mountain biking from Unexplored Ladakh's Tenzing Jamphel and India's freeride pioneer, Vinay Menon.
Pump Track
Freshly packed dirt and over 40 riders with their race plates got the 200 metre track lit. The Expert Category saw some fast timings. Leh’s local ripper, Sonam Norbu clocked the third fastest time of the day on a borrowed bike! Pune’s Vinay Menon landed a 2nd and Manali’s young blood, Rinku Thakur took the win with his ‘Run 1’ time.
Riding a pump track was a new experience for most riders in Ladakh.
Leh’s local ripper, Sonam Norbu is one fast kid on two wheels! Taking 3rd place in the Pump Track Challenge.
Pune’s Vinay Menon landed the 2nd fastest time of the day.
[PI=17782377n]Rinku Thakur from Manali clocked the winning time at the Pump Track Challenge.[/PI]
In Jrs, local lad, Eshem Latif in 1st followed by Stanzin Angchuk in 2nd and 3rd spot, Stanzin Gayfail.
Eshem Latif taking the win in the Juniors category.
India's bouldering legend, Sandeep Maity took on the Pump track challenge (left).15 year old Palak from Manali kept her speeds up (right).
Short Track Downhill
Small hike to the start line got the riders warmed up.
The 500 metre track resembled a slalom course. Berms, tables, drops and even a trench! A new experience for the local spectators, the downhill action kept everyone entertained. Landing into 3rd, Srinagar’s Fhazal Wani, Vinay Menon in 2nd and Manali’s Rinku Thakur took the lead with 44.48 seconds.
Local ripper Sonam Norbu dropping into the trench!
Unexplored Ladakh’s Skaldan Urgyan pulled off a 4th place on a borrowed bike!
Always a good time with bikes and budds!
Srinagar’s Fhazal Wani surprised everyone with the 3rd best time in Finals.
Vinay Menon cruised to a 2nd spot in his Final run, after clocking the fastest time in seeding.
Young gun Rinku Thakur speeding through on his winning run.
Downhill Podium: Tsering Sangrup (5th), Vinay Menon (2nd), Rinku Thakur (1st), Fhazal Wani (3rd), Skaldan Urgyan (4th).
After the race dust settled, it was time for the jump session. A free run for everyone, the jump sesh started getting radder pretty quick.
Another hike up for the jump sess.
The views in Leh are unbeatable.
Unexplored Ladakh’s Gyatso Tundup sending his hardtail down the jump section.
Ladakh’s local ripper Sonam Norbu ready for lift off.
Some tweakery on the table by Vinay Menon.
Flight time for Rinku Thakur.
Vinay Menon from Psynyde Bikes hitting the largest feature at Disko Valley Bike Park, dedicated to late Ajay Padval. #AjayShredsForever
A beginning of things to come, the Ladakh Mountain Bike Festival 2019 marks a stern push to downhill mountain biking and pump track riding in the region.
The future looks bright!
Disko Valley is Ladakh's new action ground!
The 2019 Ladakh MTB Festival was organised by Unexplored Ladakh at Disko Valley Bike Park. Sponsored by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department and LAHDC Leh. Supported by, GraviT Climbing, Suru Boulder Fest, Haul Apparel India, Ladakh Bike Shop, Acoustive, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), BlackFurst Media, Freeridermag, The Ladakh Story and The Grand Dragon Ladakh.
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