What started with a little apprehension – and doubts about whether I could complete the ride – ended up with me becoming excited about participating in the next Kora Cycling Challenge again the following year…
I participated in the 50 km Kora Challenge from Kathmandu. It was around 8:15 am when I reached Patan Durbar Square. The Kora Challenge had already officially started. The flow of riders was still there – some were moving while others were waiting for their friends, just as I was.
Once my friend arrived, we headed towards Jawalakhel, Ekantakuna and so on, navigating the route. This navigation of the Kora Challenge as a first-timer is much easier than you’d think. Just ask the locals, and you’ll figure it out.
That’s how we found our way through. Even without internet service or offline maps, it won’t be a problem at all because, as everyone knows, every local is well aware that thousands of cyclists will pass through on this day.
The aunty selling chatpatey (crispy puffed rice mixed with fresh vegetables and spices, giving it a tangy and flavourful taste) around Kirtipur, near the first water station, might have stocked up on extra puffed rice and snacks that day – since some riders passing by would definitely crave what she was offering.
I ordered a plate of her chatpatey myself, and it tasted so good that I ended up ordering another.
Time was passing by, and the sun was also challenging us. We felt thirsty every other minute, and at around 12 pm, we stopped along the way for lunch. After eating and resting for a while, we resumed our journey with the energy we gained from healthy Nepali daal bhat (lentil soup and steamed rice) and, of course, some rest.
Cycling around Kathmandu Valley was quite easy until I hit the steep uphill sections. In most of those steep areas, I was walking with my bicycle rather than cycling. Somewhere around Nagarjun, local kids were excited to high-five the riders passing by their homes, and I naturally felt like a celebrity as they included me. They offered their hands, and I was even more excited than they were to high-five each one of them in turn.
By the time I reached Boudha Stupa, I was exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. We paused there for a while, and I was eager to figure out which direction we’d head next.
After some rest, we moved forward and shortly reached Pepsicola. Joining the main road around Pepsicola was exciting but also a time for caution – because at that point, we became more conscious about following traffic rules properly. At the same time, while everyone was driving motorbikes and cars, I was proudly riding my bicycle, taking satisfaction in my pollution-free journey.
I travelled some roads I had never explored in Kathmandu before, and I thought, “Does this place exist in Kathmandu?” Even on the familiar routes, I noticed so many differences. One simple thing that amazed me was the blue arrow indicating the route of the Kora Challenge that I saw below the Balkumari bridge. I had passed that way countless times before, yet I had never noticed that arrow or any other signs. This made me realise how little we actually notice about small things that exist in our surroundings – and maybe the things we seek are already around us, but we become too busy to notice them.
Along the way and at the end of the ride, we got the chance to meet and chat with other riders participating in 50 km, 100 km and 165 km challenges. While having conversations with them, I discovered that some were beginners like me, while others were experienced cyclists who had been riding for over a decade.
It was around 5 pm when we reached Nagbahal, the endpoint of the Kora Challenge. People were already there celebrating their victories. Once I arrived, all of my tiredness disappeared. I felt victorious and accomplished.
Upon receiving my medal, I was proud that I had completed a 50 km ride and overcome one of my limitations. From the simple things I noticed along the way to riding a bicycle for 50 km – especially on the roads of Kathmandu, as someone who had never ridden more than 5 km before – participating in the Kora Challenge broadened my perspective in many ways.
Of course, it was not without effort, but it was definitely worth participating in a ride for a cause and guess what? I have already registered and am eagerly awaiting my Kora Challenge 2026. The news about the Kora Jatra has doubled my excitement… and I might be back to share my week-long Kora Jatra experience, so watch this space!
