palpa urban downhill race

On September 13th, 2014, the inaugural Palpa Urban Downhill Mountain Bike Race, organized by Switchback Nepal, took place in Tansen, Palpa, in Western Nepal. This groundbreaking event was the first of its kind, not just in Nepal but in all of South Asia. A total of 25 riders participated, hailing from India, China, Denmark, the UK, and various cities across Nepal, including Kathmandu, Dharan, and Pokhara.

​

The race covered a 1.8-kilometer course, which included a brief forest section that led into the winding, narrow streets of Tansen. Over 200 local volunteers helped make the event a success, which drew a crowd of more than 8,000 enthusiastic spectators. The event was seen as a significant milestone, sparking hope for a bright future for mountain biking in Nepal and reinforcing the country's growing reputation as an international mountain biking destination.

​

“We see such races on TV, but today we’re seeing it live right here in our city,” said a local from Tansen. Many locals are optimistic that Tansen has the potential to establish itself as a prominent destination for mountain biking, both nationally and internationally. 14-year-old Chris Keeling took the top spot in the race, completing the 1.8 km downhill course in 4:16.26 minutes. Chris had already made his mark earlier in the year, winning the 2014 National Downhill Championship and securing the youth category victory at the Mega-Avalanche in France.

​

18-year-old National Champion Rajesh Magar finished in second place with a time of 4:38.51 minutes. Rajesh was set to represent Nepal at the upcoming Asian Mountain Bike Championship in South Korea. Gautam Taode, a podium rider from Pune ranked second in India, claimed third place with a time of 4:48.13 minutes. He had recently earned third place in the Himachal Downhill Mountain Bike Trophy in Manali. Shakar Yakthumba crossed the finish line in fourth place with a time of 4:51.20 minutes, while Suman Tamang secured fifth place with a time of 4:55.76 minutes.

​

“The trail was awesome. It felt very comfortable. The crowd here in Tansen was truly amazing. Despite being tired, I felt my adrenaline pump up every time I heard the crowd cheer me on. Being here for three days with all my fellow riders has been a wonderful experience. This camaraderie is very important for Nepali mountain biking to grow as a sport,” said Buntay Pandey, a participant.

​

• Date: Sept 13th , 2014

• Location: Tansen, Palpa

• Role: Race host, organizer and course designer/builder

• Event: Urban Downhill Race

• Sponsors: 5 Main sponsors and 6 logo sponsors

• Competitors: 25 riders from six different countries

• Spectators: 6000+