Army team proves their mettle in cycling

Completes 700-km expedition across Himalayan Range along India-China border

July 21, 2014 10:36 am | Updated 10:39 am IST - KOLKATA:

Members of the team of Indian Army traversing the treacherous Himalayanterrain on bicycles. Photo: Special Arrangement

Members of the team of Indian Army traversing the treacherous Himalayanterrain on bicycles. Photo: Special Arrangement

A 10-member team from the Indian Army has successfully completed a 700-km cycling expedition across the Himalayan Range along the India-China border. “The expedition was held in high (above 9,000 feet) and super high altitudes (above 14,000 feet),” said Defence spokesperson T.K. Singha here on Sunday

The team was led by Captain Navjot Thakur from the Indian Army’s Striking Lion division. It also comprised personnel from the Army’s Lightning Streaks Battalion. The expedition started on June 30 from a place called Khangjakma that is located at an altitude of 5,855 metre in the Tibetan plateau.

During the three-week expedition, the Army men passed across nine mountain passes: “The passes traversed include Khungiyami La (18,428 feet), Sese La (17,913 feet), Bamcho La (17,500 feet), Chulung La (17,366 feet), Kongra La (16,800 feet), Tangkar La (17,200 feet), Phimkaru La (16,400 feet), Jelep La (14,330 feet), and Nathu La (14,100 feet),” said Mr. Singha. Among these Nathu La was the only motorable pass, he added.

Describing the hardships endured by his team members during the expedition, Captain Thakur said that at several places they had to lift their bicycles and proceed on foot as the roads were blocked with ice. He also said that freezing temperatures and rain made their task more difficult.

“We knew we would encounter these conditions and had practised for nearly three months building up strength and stamina to be able to pedal nearly 60 km in hill conditions,” he added.

As for the route of the expedition, Mr. Singha said that the expedition followed the alignment of the Teesta river from its origin to approximately the point where it enters Bangladesh. The average altitude in this route was 9,000 to 19,000 feet for 325 km and between 3,000 and 9,000 feet for 213 km. According to a media release, a distance of 237 km was off the road along the treacherous mountain tracks in Super High Altitude Area and High Altitude Area.

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