Much thanks to Mr. Sushil Marda for the photographs and information.

The last leg of the Kolkota to Kalimpong bike ride was the 70 km Siliguri-Kalimpong stretch.

Here’s the description and motivation for the ride (from Ken Hammond’s Blog – goinghomeday.blogspot.com):

The February 2010 charity ride covers some 670 kms, starting in Kolkata and finishing at Dr. Graham’s Homes School, Kalimpong India. 21 cyclists (19 UK+1 Germany & 1 Zimbabwe), are volunteering their time and financing their own trip and stay in India, to ride 7 days to raise money for the kids of this exceptional educational institution in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas.

On the last day of the journey, Feb 20th, 2010, 19 bikers (meant to be 20, but Rev. John Webster, the main organiser, had to drop out at the last minute) left Siliguri at 6am for a 70 km ride to Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong. A large part of the ride, especially after Teesta is steep uphill, so it’s no mean feat. Upto Teesta, the bikers were more or less together. The going got tough after that, but all bikers made it (reportedly several had to walk up the steep inclines). The first few bikers were at Sood’s Garden Retreat, 9th Mile, Kalimpong by about 1:30-2 pm, the last of them by 3pm. They then rode through town, past a reception at Tibetan school, and then the final push uphill to Dr. Graham’s Homes, where they reached by 4:30pm.

From the blog:

..we were led through the high street of Kalimpong accompanied by the DGH fife and drum band playing the school anthem. All along the street masses of people greeted us with cheers and clapping – what a heart warming and splendid welcome! Thank you Kalimpong!!

We stopped briefly at the Tibetan school whose principal Kesang Bhutia, also an ex-student and classmate (’72) was there with his students to greet us. He looks just the same as he did 36 years ago (I still think he was 44 yrs old back then!!).

Not quite done though – we still had another 500 ft of climbing (about 3km) before we finally hit the school grounds! Lining the route from the stores to the Jarvie Hall were excited children clapping and cheering us on – an emotional, poignant moment for the riders but even more so for me. Words cannot express the gratitude I felt to be able to experience this moment with my son next to me!

Philip Gibson gave a welcoming and warm speech – thanking us not only for our achievement but also for our support of the Homes. The next deed was indeed a joyous one – playing postmen/mistress by delivering letters in special envelopes to some of the sponsored children from their sponsors back in the UK.

Here are some photos:


1. Bikers Being welcomed by Mr. Philip (CEO – DGH) and David Foning (Bursar – DGH) at Siliguri (Hotel Sarovar Premiere)




2. Bikers Setting off for Kalimpong on 20-2-10




3. Bikers crossing Sevoke Military Station




4. Crossing Sevoke




5. Setting off from Coronation Bridge




6. Near Kalijhora




7. Some of the bikers, somewhere along the way!!




8. Vanda Goodwin Fraser puffing it up an incline.



(Click here for Part 2 and Part 3 of this series)

(All photographs & captions courtesy Mr. Sushil Marda)