One of the toughest mountain bike races in the world

One of the toughest and extremely challenging mountain bike races in the world, Tour of the Dragon, the annually organized event covers a distance of 268km from Bumthang (2,610m) in central Bhutan to Thimphu (2,320m) in western Bhutan, in a day crossing four high mountain passes en route. For mountain biking enthusiasts, its indeed a dream event to participate through landscape of incredible natural beauty.

Starting from Bumthang, the riders follow the Bumthang Chhu (river) for a couple of kilometres and then climb 6 km through blue pine forest to Kiki La pass at 2870 m. From there it is downhill to Nangar through mostly blue pine forest and agricultural land, following a gentle road through Chumey valley up to Gaytsha (2950 m).

The road then climbs 7 km up through blue pine forest to Bong Bridge, and later gets a little steeper for about 5 km through mixed conifer and rhododendron forests and pastures until Yotong La pass (3400 m). From Yotong La, it is 29 km downhill ride to Trongsa. The pass is dominated by fir and rhododendron forest, open pastures and rock outcrops. As one goes down to Dorji Gompa, which is almost halfway, firs give way to spruce and hemlock and mixed broadleaved forest dominated by birch, oaks and rhododendrons. Below Dorji Gompa, the road passes though broadleaved forest and agricultural fields. There are some excellent viewpoints in Trongsa, including town’s majestic Dzong, extensive forests and agricultural fields beyond. Just before reaching Trongsa (2150 m), riders pass right below the Ta Dzong (a watchtower to guard the dzong from enemies and now converted into a classic museum).

From Trongsa the road descents gently for 7 km to Bjee Zam bridge at 1900 m and then climbs 6 km through broadleaved forest to a viewpoint from where the Trongsa Dzong seems just a stone’s throw away. The road continues climbing for another 10 km along cliffs and through broadleaved forests and agricultural settlements. At Tshangkha, it passes the headquarters of the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. As one approaches Chendebji Chorten (the stupa patterned on Boudhnath in Nepal) at 2,430m, hemlock replaces broadleaved species on some of the ridges and in the valley.

The road then climbs through mixed conifer forest past Nikachu bridge at Chazam and Rukubji to the small settlement of Longte. By this time most of the trees have been replaced by pastures and agricultural fields. Through these pastures dominated by dwarf bamboo, riders reach to Pele La (3300m). Then continue long descent through fir, birch, rhododendron forest and many small waterfalls to Wangdue Phodrang.

From Wangdue Phodrang, ride on to Metshina (1410 m) and then continue uphill all the way to Dochu La (3,088m), a distance of 38.3 km, with an average slope of 5%  and a few short sections of up to 10%. The riders pass through hamlets of Thinleygang (11 km), Lumitsawa (15km), Lampiri (28km), and a memorial chorten for traffic accident victims (32km).

After Dochula, it’s all the way downhill to Thimphu at 2320 m, with a small climb only at the end to the Changlingmethang ground, culminating point of a remarkable adventurous journey.