Bhaktapur Kora 2023 and veteran cyclist

I have been doing Kora since 2013. I am nearly 40 now and every time I wonder if it's time to retire. But this post is about someone who is more than 20 year older than me (above 60) and he rode Bhaktapur 50K Kora like a breeze. 

Lets get inspired by our beloved cycling legend Shree Krishna Shrestha Dai. 

At Sanga

Like always he quietly joins and completes the rides. He does not ride to brag about distance he has covered or to post photos on social media (except maybe 1 or 2 in fb). He doesn't mind riding alone and he cycles at a pace not many can match. For him cycling is not just hobby or passion but his lifestyle. 

He is carpentry teacher at Pulchowk Engineering college and already a grandfather. He cycles all the way from Gokarna to Pulchowk every day even today. He is very friendly and shy person and everyone in the cycling community loves him. Last year he completed Bhaktapur 75Km kora. This year he rode Kora 50Km (remember it is 15km up down from home i.e 80km at least)

I was riding solo this year because of the time limitation as I had to take my son to Kids Kora at Nag Bahal by 2pm. But thanks to Shree Krishna Dai, who set a pace for me, I was able to fulfill what I came for i.e To ride through beautiful country side of Bhaktapur in the most eco friendly way possible. And his pace helped me complete my 50K ride and take my son to Kids Kora at Nagbahal.

Kids Kora at Nagbahal

The Bhaktapur KORA is subjectively a much better route than Kathmandu Kora because of its route diversity (jungle, old settlements, view points, friendly volunteers) while its all buildings in Kathmandu now a days. But it is more challenging due to elevation and added up down distance for someone from Kathmandu.

Thank you Cycle Connect for this beautiful event. Hopefully this event become another jatra for this wonderful cultural city of Bhaktapur. Many were complaining about routes not being clear. It is understandable because of the distance it is difficult to mark every junction for the organizer. For me I load the route in maps.me app which is an offline map app any one can use. Its just a suggestion for keeping track of the route and location. 

Thanks to Shree Krishna Dai for being an inspiration and for showing us age is just a psychological barrier. I wish is when i am his age, I can ride like him. I hope to join next year as a rider or volunteer. This post has been written without his consent.

With wonderful volunteers from Bhaktapur Kora 2023