Kora Challenge 2024: Nepal's Largest Cycling event attracts thousands of riders

Jul 20, 2024

Lalitpur (Nepal), July 20 (ANI): More than five thousand people participated in the annual cycling event, "The Kora Challenge," the largest ride in the Himalayan nation, touring over 15 locations across Kathmandu and Lalitpur on Saturday. Flagged off from the Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lalitpur district, about five thousand cyclists embarked on a journey covering approximately 200,000 kilometres. Started in 2011 with just 35 riders, the Kathmandu ride has always begun and ended 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 is held annually on the third Saturday of July. The shortest of the three rides is designed for amateurs but includes challenges such as brisk climbs and narrow alleys. The 75 km circuit, suited for good to expert riders, involves more adventurous cycling with steeper climbs and routes passing through Boudhanath and Chobhar. The most challenging Expert to Pro 100-km circuit requires a full day of cycling along the hills on the Valley rim. This year, Lalitpur Metropolitan City has teamed up with Kora 2024 to co-host the cycling festival, making the Kathmandu edition a city event. The annual cycling event has seen increased participation over the years, particularly among women. According to the organizers, the participation of women in Kora has jumped from 11 percent to 22 percent in the last year.