Manali Khardungla Cycling Championship

WORLD’S HIGHEST LONG DISTANCE ENDURANCE CYCLING STAGE RACE

MANALI-KHARDUNGLA CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP (MKCC)

07th – 16th AUGUST 2022

The only cycling race on the World’s Highest Highway – Manali-Khardungla Cycling Championship (MKCC) – has all the elements that every biker dreams of coming face to face one day. The 510 KM ride takes you from the lush green environs of Manali, across the Great Himalayan Range to the Trans-Himalaya. The race gains an elevation of 35,000 ft as the route traverses through passes ranging from 13,000 ft at Rohtang to 18,380 ft at Khardungla.

The past two editions of MKCC, saw riders from all walks of life testing their skill and endurance in what can be best described as ‘The Race to the Top of the World’. MKCC is surely all set to put India firmly on the world’s stage race cycling circuit. The route has been chosen for its unparalleled beauty, high adventure quotient and popularity with travelers across the world. Yes! You will ride the World’s Highest Highway with MKCC being the World’s Highest Long Distance Endurance Cycling Race and the only cycling race on the world famous Manali-Leh Highway.

The Manali-Leh highway stretches over 510 km of predominantly paved roads, with stretches of sand, gravel and rocky terrain thrown in for good measure. The highway will also take you across several passes, three of them being higher than 16,500 ft. MKCC is a journey of rigorous ascents and heart stopping descents even as the incredible terrain and exotic vistas beckon you along the way.

MKCC starts from the alpine forests and meadows of Manali, extends towards the deep valleys of Lahaul across Rohtang, continues towards the vast plains of Sarchu before entering Ladakh. The race culminates at Khardungla, the world’s highest motor-able pass at 18,380 ft.

Number of Days: 10 (7 days of racing, one rest day and one day each for arrival and departure)
Total Distance: 510 km
Average Distance Per Day: 73 KM
Elevation Gain: 35,000 ft
Accommodation: Camping plus Resorts
Terrain Condition: Tarmac, Gravel, Sand and Slush
Level: Challenging
Support: Marshals, Pilots, Back-up and Support Vehicles, Advanced Ambulance, Technical Support, Mechanics, Standard Spares and Sweep Vehicles

Program ( 10 days )

MKCC starts from the alpine forests and meadows of Manali, extends towards the deep valleys of Lahaul across Rohtang, continues towards the vast plains of Sarchu before entering Ladakh. The race culminates at Khardungla, the world’s highest motor-able pass at 18,380 ft.

Day 1

August 07: Arrival in Manali

The participants will be received at Manali and will be taken to the orientation camp. Proceedings will start after breakfast with a round of introductions for the participants and officials. The Race Director will explain the route in detail along with the do’s and don’ts of the race. Participants will be taken for a warm up ride around Manali. A post lunch workshop will guide racers on first aid and emergency manoeuvre. The Open’s ranking system will be explained to the participants in the evening before an early dinner. Overnight at the Camp.
Day 2

August 08: Manali to Sissu (87 km)

The first day of the race will see us making an early start, with the flag off at Manali. Participants will be ascending nearly 50 km to arrive at Rohtang Top at 13,051 ft. From Rohtang it is a steep descent into Lahaul valley. Even though the route from Rohtang to Khoksar will descend all the way, the track is slippery due to heavy snow and rainfall. We cross Gramphoo and ride along the Chandra River to arrive at Sissu, where we camp for the rest of the day. Sissu with its fair amount of vegetation is a good place to get acclimatised to the rarefied atmosphere of the high altitude region ahead.
Day 3

August 09: Sissu to Jispa (50 km)

Because of atmospheric conditions ahead, we will have a late start and cover a comparatively shorter distance. We cross the towns of Tandi and Keylong and ride on a low gradient all the way up till Jispa, where the river opens out into a wide valley. We camp on the banks of the Bhaga River.
Day 4

August 10: Jispa to Sarchu (80 km)

The day starts early and participants ascend the mountains up to the Baralacha La at 16,043 ft. Riders will pass through meadows along the river near Darcha. We cross Deepak Tal situated at 14,000 ft with the snow-capped Mulkila peaks forming a scenic backdrop. The route descends gradually to the wide Sarchu Plains where we camp overnight.
Day 5

August 11: Sarchu to Pang (75 km)

The first landmark of the day will be the Gata Loops, which is a steep collection of 21 loops, taking you to an altitude of 15,302 ft. Next up is the third pass on the Manali-Leh highway, Nakee La at 15,547ft and Lachulung La at an altitude of 16,616 ft a few km along the road. The descent from Lachulung La will see us arrive at Pang, a temporary tent settlement, where we will camp for the night.
Day 6

August 12: Pang to Rumtse (90 km)

Today will be a testing day for all riders, as we ride for the longest stretch of the MKCC (90 km) with a couple of pit stops thrown in. However, the ride is exhilarating through the almost flat gradient of the famous Moray Plains, which is in fact a plateau at 15,400 ft. The long stretch of newly laid tarmac on the flatland is the opportunity for riders to make up for lost time. After Moray plains one starts the ascent to Tanglang La at 17,586 ft, the second highest motor-able pass in the world. After the long ascent, we begin our descent into the Indus Valley and arrive at the quaint village of Rumtse where we will camp for the night.
Day 7

August 13: Rumtse to Leh (75 km)

We make a relaxed start for the penultimate stretch of the journey to Leh. We arrive at Upshi, from where we ride along the Indus River. We cross several monasteries along the way and finally arrive at Leh. We camp on the banks of the Indus and relax for the rest of the evening for the race to the highest motorable pass in the world!
Day 8

August 14: Rest Day

The day will be spent soaking in the pristine environs of Leh and preparing for the final and highest stage of MKCC, The Race to the Top of the World, aka Khardungla!
Day 9

August 15: Leh to Khardungla (40 km)

It will be an early start to decide the winner of the Open. After we cross South Pullu the tarmac becomes a gravel road. We ride till Khardung la at 18,380 ft – the highest motor-able pass in the world. We gather for a commemorative group photograph after all the participants arrive at the pass – a moment to cherish for a lifetime. We then freewheel back to Leh by late afternoon and check into our hotel. In the evening there will be a gala award ceremony where the winners will be felicitated.
Day 10

August 16: Drop to Airport

The day has finally arrived to bid adieu to fellow team members and officials. Irrespective of the position in the race, all participants will be given a Certificate of Participation along with medals. The race will ensure everyone leaves with memories to cherish forever and many of us will become more determined to take on the challenges of the Manali-Khardungla Cycling Championship next year!

World’s Highest Long Distance Cycling Race surely requires fair amount of training and acclimatization. The Training Camp for MKCC is designed to help you train in a phased manner and gradually acclimatize to the high-altitude conditions of Trans-Himalaya.

The camp also has workshops to help you get the basics and advanced mechanics of mountain biking in order. Led by cycling experts, the Training Camp is highly recommended for beginners as well experienced cyclists.

Program( 7 days )

The camp also has workshops to help you get the basics and advanced mechanics of mountain biking in order. Led by cycling experts, the Training Camp is highly recommended for beginners as well experienced cyclists.

Day 1

August 01: Arrival in Manali

The participants will be received at Manali and will be taken to the orientation camp. Proceedings will start after breakfast with a round of introductions for the participants and officials. The Race Director will explain the route in detail along with the do’s and don’ts of the race. Participants will be taken for a warm up ride around Manali. A post lunch workshop will guide racers on first aid and emergency manoeuvre. The Open’s ranking system will be explained to the participants in the evening before an early dinner. Overnight at the Camp.

Day 2

August 02: Introductory Ride

Today we will start after an early breakfast and will go for a ride which will have a mix of plain road, and moderate inclines. The ride will help in toning up the body for the days ahead. Lunch will be served at the break-point in forest. We will return to our hotel by sunset. There will be a workshop on Uphill and Downhill Riding over dinner.

Day 3

August 03: Uphill and Downhill Ride

Today we will set out for a 40 KM ride from Naggar to Jana. The ride will see us climbing from 5,000 ft to 10,000 ft through a beautiful forest. We will be riding on a tarmac for most part of the route upto Jana Waterfall, where we will break for Himachali lunch. Post lunch we will ride for couple of km on unpaved road, to help us get gear up for the conditions of MKCC. We will begin our downhill ride at high-noon and hone our riding skills further. In the evening we will have a workshop on Endurance Training.

Day 4

August 04: Ride to Hampta

Today we will ride to Hampta, and climb from 5,000 ft to 10,000 ft through 43 hair pin bends. The ride will see us getting used to the sharp climbs across the various passes which we will encounter in MKCC. The experience of riding to Hampta will make us more confident of riding in high-altitude. We will start our downhill ride after a round of sumptuous lunch at Hampta. In the evening, we will have another MTB workshop.

Day 5

August 05: Riding in Lahaul

Today we will make an early start and drive across Atal Tunnel and arrive at Khoksar. We will get a feel of riding in high-altitude and moderately low oxygen levels. We will ride from Khoksar via Telling to Sissu on a link road. We will break for lunch at Sissu and then ride back to Khoksar on a stretch of the Manali-Leh Highway. We will drive back to Manali, where in the evening there will be have a workshop on Core Cycling Skills.

Day 6

August 06: Joyride

Today we will have a relaxed start and go for a short joy ride to Rumsu. Lunch will be back at hotel. And evening will have a cycling maintenance workshop, followed by a relaxed evening.