The Nepal Weekly 
August 8, 2023
The Velocity Pump Fest was organized on August 5 at the only pump track constructed for bicycle riders located at the Bagmati river side in Laltpur. This was a one-day event which gathered riders against each other in an exciting competition of speed over the track.
The competition has been divided into different categories like kids (under 11), youth (11-13), junior riders (14-18), elite (19-30and masters (31 and above) and women (above 16).
Around 70 participants took part in the event while around 1,000 spectators witnessed with excitements and curiosity.
The top three finishers in each category were rewarded with a gift hamper. The winner of the elite category was given a cash prize as well.
The event was organized by Switchback Nepal and Himalayan Single Track with support from Giant.
The 170-metre-long pump track was built with support from Velosolution in November last year. The pump track is part of Velosolution’s Pump for Peace Project through which the company aims to build pump tracks in underdeveloped countries with the aim of making cycling and action sports more accessible than ever before.
Pump tracks are gaining popularity these days as it gives satisfactions and benefit contributing to physical and mental health to the riders. Researchers say that people involved in pump track riding are fitter and have stronger muscles and bones. They also concentrate better in class and are more confident. These are just some of the many benefits physical activity provides.
Moreover, people who feel connected to others “have higher self-esteem, are more empathic to others, more trusting and cooperative and, as a consequence, others are more open to trusting and cooperating with them.
A pump track is a looped sequence of rollers and banked turns for bike riders designed to maximize their momentum by pumping, or up and down movements, so that they can ride with minimal pedalling or pushing.
We know that pump track riders enjoy being part of a community. Whether it’s being a member of a strong online community or joining in with others from their local town or neighbourhood, pump track riders are a connected bunch.
Pump tracks have a looped sequence of rollers and berms that are designed to maximise the momentum so bike riders can ride without pedalling much. Pump track designs range from smaller backyard projects to larger ones and is an entry spot into the sport, where one can learn and develop skills before going to the mountains and riding.
Pump for Peace is a global initiative that has been building pump tracks in underprivileged communities around the world for over a decade with the aim of making cycling and action sports more accessible.
