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Ashish Gurung, a resident of Bharatpur, Chitwan, and an active member of the Royal Rhino Riders Royal Enfield Club in Chitwan, recently completed a 5000-km solo motorcycle journey on a Royal Enfield Motorcycle.
Named the 'Kangra to Teesta' ride, Ashish set out on a trip from the historic Kangra fort in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India to the Teesta region in the Indian state of Sikkim. The extensive 'Greater Nepal' route covered areas in Sikkim, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
The concept of "Greater Nepal" reflects an irredentist idea that seeks to incorporate various areas of India, occupied by the Gurkha army between 1791 to 1804, into Nepal. Advocates of 'Greater Nepal' argue that these regions were originally part of Nepal, but the Gurkha King's defeat in the Anglo-Nepalese War led to the forceful signing of the Sugauli Treaty in December 1815, ratified in 1816, relinquishing these areas.
Commencing his journey from Bharatpur, Chitwan, on October 9, with a planned 22-day itinerary, Ashish completed the entire expedition in just 13 days. He asserts that he is likely the first person to accomplish such a journey of five thousand kilometers without interruption, emphasizing that past attempts faced various challenges.
According to Ashish, had the journey started from the eastern or western route, the Kangra to Teesta leg could have been completed in five days. However, the route from Bharatpur to Kangra and Teesta was extended by first heading to the eastern region, and the duration was further prolonged by reaching the southern border of Bangladesh.
The expedition received support from Bharatpur Metropolitan Municipality, Royal Enfield Chitwan's official service center, Bullet Bikers Zone, Vintage Motorcycle Workshop, Alpha Zone Drinking Water, Motul Mobil, Sumo Sushi, Green Leaf, Hotel Vista Chitwan, Royal Rhino Riders Chitwan, Gear Field Chitwan, Four Nepal, and other contributors providing technical assistance.
Motivated to support the 'Visit Bharatpur Year-2024’ campaign, Ashish undertook the solo trip, starting and concluding in Bharatpur. Chitwan. Looking ahead, Ashish has plans to travel from Pashupatinath to Kedarnath in the upcoming days.
