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The team was given a hero's welcome on its arrival as Lt Gen P K Rath, General Officer Commanding, Trishakti Corps today flagged in the ''Trans Sikkim'' cycling expedition at a colourful ceremony at Sukna near here.The GOC congratulated the team leader and the members for cycling across Dorjila peak (5625 mts) and Changri (5416 mts) thus achieving an enviable feat of becoming the second highest cycling expedition in the world and first in India.
The expedition was flagged off on May 29 and encountered many challenges en route. The start itself was struck by the cyclone ''Aila'', which led to the road Chungthang-Thangu blocked by landslides. The route was consequently changed and the team traversed the Lachung Valley and reached snowclad Dongkya La Pass.
The expedition resorted to a mix of cycling, trekking and mountaineering (with cycles) to traverse the pass and reach Gurudongmar Lake.
The expedition achieved the momentous feat of scaling on bicycles one of the highest peaks of North Sikkim, the Dorjila (5625 metre) on June 17. It entailed an ascent of 1665 metre and cycling a distance of 17 kms uphill of 5000 mts plus over a period of 10 hours.
The team achieved the seemingly impossible task and the Flame Riders astride their steel and rubber steeds were on top of the famous Dorjila by 2.00 pm. Spurred on by their previous day’s achievements, the team went on to climb the Changri peak on bicycles on June 18 before commencing their descent to Zeema and further to Chungthang.
The team members comprised two officiers, as many JTOs and fifteen jawans.
