Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge
July 10, 2014
What is Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge?
Kora:
"Kora is both a type of pilgrimage and a type of meditative practice in the Tibetan Buddhist or Bon (Tibetan: བོན, THL: Bön, Wylie: Bon) traditions. A Kora is performed by the practitioner making a circum ambulation around a sacred site or object, typically as a constituent part of a pilgrimage, ceremony, celebration or ritual. However, in broader terms, it is a term that is often used to refer to the entire pilgrimage experience in the Tibetan Buddhist region."
- Source : Wikipedia
Kathmandu Kora:
So, as a Buddhist practitioner makes a circular locus around a sacred site in doing a 'KORA', in the Kathmandu Kora, we make a circumlocution around the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
The reason behind making a circumloction around the valley seems to be both spiritual and logical.
Spiritual, because Kathmandu Valley contains many sacred sites like Swayambunath Temple (aka Monkey Temple) , Boudha Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Basantapur Durbar Square and numerous temples.
And, logical in the sense that, with this circular route in the outskirts of the valley, if someone falls ill, the bike gets problems or due to any other circumstances, the rider can't carry on, he/she can easily enter into the main valley and get to home or hospital.
How it started:
Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge started in 2011,when modest 35 riders challenged themselves and got pledged of around half a million Nepali Rupees for a school and an orphanage in Kathmandu.
It continued...2012, 2013 and now 2014.
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| Number of riders in various years Data source(2011,2012,2013) : Kathmandu Kora |
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| Funds raised in various years Data source : Kathmandu Kora |
This time, there are 3 different routes; 50Km, 75Km and 100Km ones.
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| Different routes of #Kora14 50km : Red 75km : Green + part of Red 100km : Blue + Green + part of Red |
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2870062
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2859914
http://www.strava.com/activities/164842065#_=_
Challenge?
Challenge #1: (The purpose)
"NO CHILD BORN TO DIE!"
Challenge #2 : (Personal View)
The challenge is to challenge yourself to the route, to test your endurance, to test how much can you ride, to challenge yourself by getting yourself from the comfort zone of motorbikes and cars, buses and ride a cycle for a day.
So is it a cycling race?
No, it isn't a cycling race of any sort.
You mean a normal cyclist like me too can participate?
Yes, anyone who is comfortable riding a cycle can participate.
How can I help?
Participate as a cyclist:
You can join as a cyclist, ask for your friends, family members, colleagues to pledge for you and help in raising funds.
Register here: http://kathmandukora.net/register/
Pledge for anyone who is participating:
You can pledge for anyone who is participating. He/she might be your family, your friend, a colleague or someone you know by chance.
Pledge here: http://kathmandukora.net/pledge-form/
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THE 2014 CAUSE
THIS YEAR, its going to be bigger. As part of the EVERYONE CAMPAIGN, we plan to build a birthing facility in Pyutar, South Lalitpur. This will be a Eco-Designed building, providing the best facilities to the women and children in this remote VDC. The principle is simple – no more minimum standards for our women and children. They deserve the best standards. They deserve a birthing facility that is beautiful, secure, earthquake proof, welcoming, warm and everything that we expect facilities to be like in the city. And this is what we aim to do.
The GOAL – TWO MILLION for PYUTAR.
How do we achieve this?
Easy. We register. We share. We talk to people about what we are doing, and get pledges from them for each kilometer we are riding.
- source Kathmandu Kora
Where can I read more about Kathmandu Kora?
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kathmandu.kora
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/560576540725803/
Join this group and post your queries on Kathmandu Kora or anything related to cycling in Nepal.
Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 Facebook Group
Personal Note: I was there last year as a participant. I will be this year too. If you want to help in this awesome cause, do pledge for me or anyone you know. Together we will reach the goal.
You can reach me on my Facebook, Twitter or Gmail ( amritpuri1@gmail.com ) to pledge for me or contact me about the information.
You can reach me on my Facebook, Twitter or Gmail ( amritpuri1@gmail.com ) to pledge for me or contact me about the information.
BONUS :
If you are a 'no-pro' rider, a first time rider, this might be of help. :)
Wikipedia
http://kathmandukora.net/2m4pyutar/ (As seen on July 10,2014)
http://kathmandukora.net/2m4pyutar/ (As seen on July 10,2014)
Bar chart created with : http://mrnussbaum.com/smartpoll2/ (As seen on July 10,2014)
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