Kora Cycling Challenge 2024 set to attract over 4,000 riders across Nepal

LALITPUR: The 14th edition of Kora, the biggest ride in the Himalayas, is set to take place this Saturday, July 20, across Nepal. Over 4,000 cyclists will ride in more than 15 locations in Nepal, covering over 200,000 kilometres. Each year, they also ride to raise funds for charity, and this time the funds will be used to upgrade the Pump Track in Nepalgunj.

Started in 2011 with just 35 riders, the Kathmandu ride has always started and concluded in Old Patan, making a clockwise circuit of Kathmandu in 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and a newly introduced Ultra distance of 140 km. The event takes place on the third Saturday of July every year. The Kathmandu edition remains the largest and is expected to attract about 2,500 riders this year.

This year, Lalitpur Metropolitan City has teamed up with Kora 2024 to co-host the cycling festival and make the Kathmandu edition a city event.

“Lalitpur aims to be a smart cycle-friendly city, and without a critical mass of inhabitants riding cycles, we can never reach that status,” said Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan. “Events like the Kora help this process by getting more and more people cycling and creating a cycling culture within the city,” he added. “We have been promoting cycling by investing in cycling infrastructure such as cycle lanes and cycle stands and supporting women cyclists, and now we are happy to partner with home-grown initiatives like Kora,” he said, announcing this partnership.

Inclusion and women's participation, in particular, has been a big focus of the Kora, and registrations have jumped, with overall participation of women in Kora increasing from 11% the previous year to 22% last year, with 34% women participation in Kathmandu alone. Several initiatives in Lalitpur are working on cycling training for women, which leads to an important aspect of empowerment through cycling in the community.

“We need to get more women on cycles,” said Bhushan Tuladhar, Chief of Party of USAID Clean Air, which is supporting Kora to become more inclusive by providing training to women cyclists on cycling skills, cycle mechanics, and first aid so that they can become Marshals who lead the Kora. A training of trainers has also developed women trainers who can help provide quality training to other women. “Women are important change agents in society, and when a woman cycles, the whole family cycles,” he said.

“At Team Kora, we wish to cultivate a healthy community of riders all over Nepal, who come out to ride for fun. Everything we do at the Kora, from distributing quality jerseys and neck bands, to rewarding every rider with a medal, and bringing several different stakeholders together, all go towards building this community. The critical mass of cycling enthusiasts (especially women riders) that this might result in is an absolute bonus,” said Raj Gyawali, Founder of socialtours, who designed the Kora Cycling Challenge back in 2011.

The Kora Cycling Challenge is organised by socialtours, Cycle City Network Nepal, and Pangro Trade and Service. The main partners of this edition of the Kora in Kathmandu are Lalitpur Metropolitan City, USAID Clean Air, Nabil Bank, the Australian Embassy, Turkish Airlines, and Himalayan Everest Insurance. It is also supported by around 60 other organisations, groups, and individuals - from cycle shops, photographers, cafes, design companies, IT companies, gear manufacturers, local clubs, restaurants, hotels, etc. - all contributing towards building a healthy community connected by the love of a healthy sport.