India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The annual eight-day mountain cycling camp, organized by 'Youth Hostels Association of India', commenced here, drawing scores of foreign and national tourists. Into its 10th year now, the event has steadily gained popularity, as people are becoming more health conscious, said Harvinder Singh, one of the organizers of the camp. "The reason this programme has slowly gained momentum is because people are becoming aware about the benefits of cycling. People working at IT firms in Delhi or Bangalore are mentally stressed and they take mountain cycling as de-stressor. Most of our participants are young people working mostly at IT firms," Singh averred. The participants, who have come from all parts of the country, are thrilled to be a part of the expedition. "The experience of cycling in Himachal is amazing. It is a eight-day camp, and we have to cycle for five to six days; three days up and two days down," said Priyanka, a cyclist. The cyclists start from the opening gate of Kullu valley and peddle towards Jalori Pass , which is around 10500 feet high. This year, the camp witnessed participation from more than 220 enthusiasts from all over the country, especially metros like Delhi and Bangalore.

Annual cycling camp in Kullu draws crowds