Himalayan Mountain Bike Festival 2015 - Part 1 by prateek24

Manali, Himachal Pradesh. Also known as the mountain bike capital of India and home to the Himalayan Mountain Bike Festival. A place were riders from across the country and a few from across the world come together and ride, race, party, repeat for five days! It also hosts two exciting races; Trails N Dust XC race and the Himachal Downhill Trophy.

Manali, 6,726ft, nestled in the Beas Valley and bustling with mountain bikers during this five-day mayhem.]

Everyone was apprehensive about the weather being relentlessly bad according to forecasts, and as feared, the rains were incessant, making everything a little more dirty and a little more fun.

The majestic trails around this place are raw, technical and simply breathtaking.

Riders dropping into Manali. The excitement keeps growing.

Mandil Pradhan, drove down to Manali with his bikes and crew all the way from Kathmandu in Nepal. And he was on his way to Leh in his same Beastly Nissan Navara. Mandil also runs Himalayan Rides Nepal and rides for Race Face and Banshee Bikes.

Pre ride/post ride beers and cheers. Riders from all across India chilling together.

The Downhill riders only had gondola access for seeding and race day runs. However they were allowed to try the track out beforehand. Who would say no? Push the bikes up the hill!

DH riders having fun on the trail. After which the rains would turn everything around.

XC riders being Sexy on their trails.

Registrations. Registrations.

No Cross country riders were spotted here, the day before the XC race was going underway.

Stay tuned for the full photo stories on the, Trails N Dust Cross Country Race and the Himachal Downhill Trophy.

Himalayan Mountain Bike Network

All photos © Shivam Roy l Pinkbike

MENTIONS: @prateek24

Author Info:

prateek24

Member since Jun 10, 2011
30 articles