It is biking season at Mananthawady in Wayanad in Kerala from December 21 when bikers from Indian and the world will test their expertise in the rough terrains of Western Ghats at the two day Mountain Bike, Kerala event.
This year is going to be fun for the riders as they travel the stretch at 3,000 feet that encompasses the rough terrain of rock, water and other impediments of nature. Mountain Bike, Kerala is the first mountain bike racing that has got featured in the Union Cyclist International’s MTB race calendar. The Union Cyclist International is an international governing body based in Switzerland that looks into cycling sports and overseas international completion of cycling races.
Mountain Bike Kerala will be held in three categories – International Cross Country, national Cross Country (men) and National Cross Country (women). Another attraction of the competition is the Fun and Thrill Challenge that has been added this time. The challenge is for both men and women who are for the first time participating or amateur bikers. Ahead of this amateur race, the participants have to undergo a qualifying race. The first 25 bikers who come in the 38 kilometre road race would be able to participate in the finals of this challenge. For women, there is no qualifying race.
The first three bikers in the amateur race would be able to participate in the Motorbike National category that would be held on December 22. The biker who wins the International Cross Country would get a purse of Rs 1.5 lakh. The first, second and the third runner ups will get prize money of Rs one lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.
The biker who tops the National Country (men) gets a purse of Rs one lakh. The first, second and the third places will get Rs Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. The winner of the National Cross Country (women) will get prize money of Rs 50,000. The first, second and the third runner up will get Rs 25,000, RS 20,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively.
The Mountain Bike race is conducted by the Kerala Tourism department.
