Life as a Cyclist in Nepal!

When it comes to cycling, there are many things people are unaware of!

In our society, when we think of cycling, we think of kids on the road or maybe a person with not enough money! But this is a field where you can pursue a career as a professional cyclist!

It might be hard to believe, but talking to Usha Khanal, a female professional cyclist who bagged a silver medal at the South Asian Games 2015, says, “Cycling for me started as a hobby. I was attracted by the way of life, and how free it looked. But later I was inspired to take it to the professional level, as I had a friend who was also a professional cyclist. Now I am a full-time racer, and have been doing that since 2015!”

“There are so many things people have yet to know about cyclists because it might still be an alien concept saying ‘I cycle for living’. But there is a range of bicycles we can find and different types of cyclists. And to be honest, there are different types of bicycles as well. From the ones used by pro-cyclists themselves to the normal ones.”

When asked about the price range, Khanal went on to say, “I mean it may be a bit hard to believe but a few people know that cycling can be a very expensive sport. I believed cycling was affordable but getting in the field I was proven very wrong. There are bicycles that are more expensive than motorcycles, or even as expensive as cars. And due to the pandemic, it is hard to find affordable ones in Nepal.”

Talking to Ajay Narsingh Rana, who has been a professional cyclist for two decades, he says, “I believe our cycling community is very small. There are only a few people taking up cycling. We we have yet to show the general people why cycling is a good thing as well.”

He points out about the first cycling expo taking place in Kathmandu, “I think this is a good place to begin giving knowledge to people. Cyclists did not have a place to come together, and now we do, to come together and be under the same roof. The expo will help show general people the importance and the community we have. This is not only to sell bicycles but to show and introduce vendors and athletes as well.”

Pointing out the importance of the first cycling expo, Okesh Raj Bajracharya, a bronze medallist at the South Asian Games, says, “The expo will help expose the community and teach the importance of cycling as well. There are a few people who know about mountain biking, and this could be a place to teach and impart knowledge. Since there are various ranges of cycles, people have yet to know the difference between an expensive bicycle and an affordable one. Not only that, there are many health benefits when once cycles as well.”

There have been talks about making Nepal a cycling-friendly nation, but with the present road condition and dust, can we really make it happen?

Nepalis all know while the whole world might be wearing a mask now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been wearing masks to be safe from all the dust for as long as we can remember.

Khanal says, “Inside Kathmandu things are yet to get better for the cyclists, but outside the city, there are good trails for mountain bikers.”

Bajracharya adds, “Surely we have a long way to go, but with the help of Cycle City Network Nepal things have become a bit better. But yes, we have a long way to go.”