India's first Mountain Terrain Biking gets on the roll at Rupa. Photo: Northeast Now

India’s first Mountain Terrain Biking (MTB) course-cum-expedition organised by the National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) was jointly flagged off by Sports and Youth Affairs minister Dr Mohesh Chai and 4 Corps commander Lt Gen G S Sangha from here on Monday.

The flag off ceremony took place on the sidelines of the West Kameng Maitree Diwas.

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This will be India’s first certified course and those who qualify can become professional MTB instructors in the future.

The 15-member MTB team led by Col. Sarfraz Singh, an Everester, will cover a distance of approx 250 kms during the expedition. The team will pass through Bomdila, Dirang, Sela and Tawang before finally culminating at Bumla which is situated at almost 15000 ft above the sea level.

Four riders from Arunachal including Ahondo Menjo, one of the finest MTB riders of the country, is also participating in the expedition.

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During the course of the expedition, the participants will be trained on aspects related to MTB, acclimatization, high altitude medicine, uphill and downhill biking maneuvering skills, bike repairing and maintenance, preparation for professional MTB competitions etc.