Mangalorean cycles to India's highest motorable pass.

MANGALORE: This 50-year-young avid cyclist had a childhood dream. NageshRao wanted to visit the Himalayas. For the past three years, he was planning to go cycling from Manali to Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable pass, located in J&K's Ladakh region.
Rao's dream was fulfilled when he cycled over 500 km on his 21-gear Trek from Manali to Khardung La in 11 days.
Speaking of his "Great Khardung La Climb'', Rao says: "I always wanted to visit the Himalayas after hearing stories from elders about the great mountains.''
"The last 39.2 km, from Leh to Khardung La, took me 8.15 hours. The journey was tough since oxygen levels were dipping. The most difficult stretch was the last 14 km since there was no road at all, coupled with low oxygen."
Dedicating his achievement to the Indian Army, he says: "I'm proud of them. I saw what they have been doing in that sector. Hats off to them.'' So enamoured of the armed forces was he that he stopped an Army truck and saluted the personnel inside, including an officer of Major rank.
Rao flew from Bangalore to Chandigarh and reached Manali by road on August 8. He spent a day acclimatizing himself.
"It was very cold ... the winds chilled my bones. It's an experience of a lifetime,'' says Rao. During the 11-day trip, he lost 8 kg. "It's slowly coming back,'' says Rao pointing to his girth.
This is not his first trip. He has cycled to Madikeri, Agumbe, Ooty-Gundlupet. "But nothing beats this trip,'' says Rao, relieved he got back before disaster struck the area.