Fundraising cycle from Bhutan to Kalimpong: sign up now! ~ Dr Graham’s Homes

Are you a keen cyclist who fancies raising some money for Dr Graham’s Homes - or do you know someone who might be? If so, you may like to know that applications for this year’s BikeforDGH are now open - and the organisers are actively looking for keen amateur cyclists to join them. This year’s fundraising event, devised by alumnus Tenzing Norsang, will run from 17-22 September 2024. The 250-mile route winds through some of the most spectacular landscape on the planet, starting in Bhutan and finishing five days later at Dr Graham’ Homes itself in Kalimpong. We caught up with Tenzing to find out more…

Tenzing, welcome to the blog. You led the last BikeforDGH – are you excited to be going out again in 2024?

Yes, I organised the last BikeforDGH event in 2022 and am delighted to once again be able to do this in 2024. The dates for this year's event are September 17 – 22nd, with five days of riding.

BikeforDGH has a rich history - can you tell us a bit about it?

Yes, it grew out of the “Three Ks” cycle ride that Rev John Webster [Honorary Vice President of the Dr Graham's Homes UK charity] initiated in 2006. John successfully led six rides, the last one being in 2017 from Bhutan. I believe the 2024 ride will be the eighth cycling fundraiser for DGH. I myself am a proud ex-pupil of DGH and grateful that I can give back a little to the school that I had the opportunity to attend. I passed out in 1995 and have been living in the United States since 1997.

What’s your route plan for 2024?

This year's route will be similar to the one we did in 2017. We will be cycling 250 miles from Paro, Bhutan, to Dr Graham’s Homes (DGH) in Kalimpong, India. The only difference is that, this year, we are hoping to make it all the way to Dr Graham’s Homes. As you may know, in the last ride from Bhutan we had to end in Siliguri due to the political unrest in Kalimpong at the time. The highlights of this year’s route will be of course cycling in Bhutan, which is one the most popular tourist destinations in the world due to its exclusivity. With luck on our side, we may get a chance to shake hands with the newly-elected prime minister of Bhutan, Mr. Tshering Tobgay, who happens to be an alumnus of DGH.

What happens when you reach Kalimpong?

Not many people arrive in Kalimpong on a bike, considering the final climb to Kalimpong is a sheer 4,500ft, covered in about 8 miles! There are climbs where the grade is 30%. Our arrival is very much looked forward to by the staff and students of DGH and the people of Kalimpong. Time permitting, the estate staff will welcome us before the climb begins at Chittrey, right after the Teesta bridge, and escort us all the way to the campus in their motorcycles and cars. On arrival at Kalimpong (again time permitting), the school pipe band will parade us through the main street in Kalimpong town, welcoming us after accomplishing quite a feat. The welcome the cyclists receive at the campus never gets old and I can vividly remember the faces and expressions of the children welcoming us into DGH. The struggle was all worth it, every sweat and penny raised.

Will all the people taking part be raising money for the Homes?

Yes, all participants will be raising money for DGH. The minimum fundraising goal for each participant is $1,500. But we don't kick someone out for not achieving the minimum fundraising goal. We do however encourage all to give it their best. Participants will have to bear all travel and related expenses, which ensures that all the monies raised go towards DGH. The funds raised this year will be handed to the Global OGBs (GO), which is the largest DGH alumni organisation and a registered NGO with the Government of India. GO undertakes projects for the betterment and upkeep of ageing infrastructures on the campus. This year we have BIG goals and our hope is that we can raise enough money to build a canopy over the existing basketball courts that will provide shelter from the elements, especially during the long monsoon months in Kalimpong, giving the children access to a multi-purpose facility that can be used throughout the year.

How tough is the ride? Do you have to be a serious cyclist to take part?

The route from Bhutan is not as tough compared to the last one in 2022. There are some "good" climbs on the second day in Bhutan and the last 14km before reaching Kalimpong. Other than that, it's a good ride with rolling climbs and beautiful scenery all along green Bhutan, where 70% of land is covered by trees by constitutional decree. As we enter India on the fourth day, we ride through the lush world-famous tea gardens of the Doars in West Bengal, where there might just be a sighting of some elephants along the way.

Do you have to be a pro-cyclist to participate in this ride?

The short answer is NO. However, you do need to train - just as you would if you were participating in a 5K or 10K run; you wouldn’t expect to show up and just start riding. We will have support vehicles all along, so in the event that someone needs a lift (which all us need sometimes) there is no shame in hitching a ride to the next stop. It's about enjoying the journey.

Please email me at bikefordgh@gmail.com to state your interest, or if you have any questions. To pay tribute to the origins of this fundraiser, we also allow all UK-based riders the option to dedicate 50% of their funds raised to the DGHUK child sponsorship funds, for which in 2022 we were able to raise close to £4,500 pounds.

What's your favourite memory from the 2022 BikeforDGH?

As someone who loves cycling, it’s definitely got to be the tough route that sticks out. I have never struggled so much, yet enjoyed it all the more at the same time. When I reached DGH - exhausted after five days of riding, having conquered 35,000ft of climb and spending all the time and effort in organising and raising money - it was all worth it. That's why I am doing it again in 2024. Come join us, it will be the ride of your lifetime, I can guarantee you that! To find out more about the cycle ride and how to sign up and fundraise for it, contact Tenzing at bikefordgh@gmail.com.

To read about the last BikeforDGH in 2022, check out this blog: “The most amazing experience of my life".