ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s northern areas are all set to host one of thetoughest cycle races in world history. Starting today (May 11), all the wayfrom Gilgit, 4,500 feet above sea level, to Khunjrab, which is situated15,400 feet above sea level, the cycling race would be truly one of a kind.

It will be one of the first cycling races ever to take place at such aheight.

[image: Tour De Khunjrab]

A minimum of 12 teams with 75 participants from across the world are takingpart in this expedition. International cyclists from the U.S, Switzerland,Australia, Britain, and Afghanistan have already arrived in Pakistan tokickstart their adventure.

[image: Cycle Race in Khunjrab]

[image: Cycle Race in Khunjrab]

The race will carry on for 3 days. Teams will commence their journey fromSakwar, travel for 66km and stop at Rakaposhi View Point in Nagar. Then thenext day, they will start again and cover a distance of 77km and stop atPasu. And for the last day, the cyclists will travel for another 84km andstop in Khunjrab.

Teams, which had arrived in Gilgit, have been receiving training sessionsfor the thrilling adventure at such extraordinary heights.——————————

“We have decided to introduce our culture to the people living outside G-Band to foreign visitors,” said the Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan HafizHafeez Ur Rehman. “This is our identity and all government officials haveput on the traditional cap on this day every year. It is an exchange oflove and welcoming gesture to the cyclists who are here highlighting a softimage of the people and G-B,” he said after completing a good ride ona cycle.