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March 8
Race registration at Kathmandu Guesthouse, Kathmandu.2pm. The race HQ is situated in the front courtyatd of the Kathmandu Guesthouse, in the centre of Thamel, and is surrounded by an abundnace of shops and restaurants. Here we will require copies of race insurance policies, onward flight details etc and will be available to answer any queries that may arise.
March 9 - SPONSORED BY DI-FOR BEAUTY Rideable 100% - 57km, 550m ascent - 950m descent. Starting from the very heart of Kathmandu, there will be a controlled start, behind a lead vehicle until the race is on the outskirts of the city centre. From here the trail climbs 400m up to Shivapuri Heights before dropping 960m towards the 1st days destination of Nawakot. The course will be a mixture of sealed road and jeep track
March 10 Nawakot to Gorka - Rideable 100% - 100km - 1800m ascent - 1700m descent. On a mixture of sealed road, rocky trail and dusty jeep track we head towards the old capital of Nepal, Gorka. This is a low altitude trail, dropping to only 430m above sea level at one point, so temperatures in excess of 25c could be experienced. With a couple of brutal climbs (one near the start and one towards the end) this is going to be a hard 100km. For those arriving early enough there will be time to visit the ancient palace and temple complex which is the centrepoint and highlight of any visit to Gorka.
March 11SPONSORED BY TORQFITNESS
Gorka to Besi Sahar - Rideable 100% - 57km - 500m ascent - 800m descent. Today will again be hot but on a mildy undulating course with a 50/50 mix of off road and sealed surface. Once we reach Besi Sahar we will be at the start of the Annapurna circuit where the real climbing will commence.
March 12 SPONSORED BY MONTANE MOUNTAIN GEAR Besi Sahar toTaal - Rideable: 70% Altitude: 760m—1700m Distance:40km - 1635m ascent
 Approx 2km of sealed road starts the race along Besi Sahar main street. The trail soon turns to rough jeep track, and follows the course of the Marshyangdi river along the left side of the valley.
After approx 30 km the jeep track runs out and from then its 11km of mainly push and carry up steep rocky climbs with a final 1km descent into the flat valley surrounding Taal
March 13 SPONSORED BY DI-FOR BEAUTY Taal to Chame Rideable: 33% Altitude: 1700m—2570m Distance: 23km 1365m ascent
 Leaving Taal, there is a Mani wall (dry stone wall inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates) in the middle of the path. These should always be passed on the left. After going by fields of maize, barley and potatoes, the valley becomes narrow again. From Taal to Danaqu it will involve a large % of push / carry with a very steep hard climb out of Danaqu. From here though it becomes more rideable with closer views of snow capped peaks and a wide flowing trail to the finish.After a hard days work to reach Chame, competitors can relax by the hot springs on the other side of the Marshyangdi Khola, enjoy the fares at the bakery, or even email home from the internet cafe.
March 14 SPONSORED BY DI-FOR BEAUTY Chame to Manang Rideable: 75% Altitude: 2570m—3540m Distance: 30km - 1044m ascent
 The route today takes competitors through a dense forest in a steep, narrow valley and crosses a river via two bridges, one at 2910m and then another at 3030m. The trail continues along the river to Pisang, where the altitude is enough to bring on the first symptoms of altitude sickness or AMS. From Pisang, the route follows a wide valley that opens up ahead of us. Competitors will pass through Humde (the highest commercial airport in the world) and Braga with its Gompa and roots in Tibetan religion. A cliff face obscures Manang until were practically upon it and a final steep climb brings us to its prayer wheel lined streets and stunning scenery.
March 15 Rest day in Manang
It is necessary to spend a resting day in Manang for acclimatisation purposes. To ascend too rapidly could have potentially fatal consequences. There are many short excursions possible from Manang and remaining active is encouraged to aid acclimatisation.
March 16 SPONSORED BY DI-FOR BEAUTY Manang to Thorong Phedi Rideable: 68% Altitude: 3540m—4450m Distance: 17km 980m ascent 
The race leaves Manang through narrow, medieval looking streets and then climbs steadily upto Khusang. Although the trail is more rideable above Khusang (3900m), the altitude now takes effect making turning those pedals very hard work. For the majority of the international competitors it becomes a slow hard slog upto Thorong Phedi with an added bonus of having to cross a steep scree landslide area in the final 2km.
March 17 SPONSORED BY TORQFITNESS
Thorong Phedi to Muktinath Rideable: 66% Altitude: 4450m- 5416m—3750m Distance:18km
 A 4am start is necessary to cross the Thorong La: the trail can get windy later making it difficult to cross the pass. It will take approximately 4 hours to reach the top (approx 5km) and will be 100% carry for bikers. The effects of altitude are now fully felt and the majority of international competitors will be unable to move at anything but a snails pace. Once at the top, the trail descends rapidly on a very steep slope (technical riding) for approximately 45 minutes to a collection of teahouses and then on fast and flowing singletrack to Muktinath with its pilgrimage site of the temple of the eternal flame.
March 18 SPONSORED BY DI-FOR BEAUTY Muktinath to Tatopani - % Rideable 100% : Altitude 3750m -1190m : Distance 67km  Today we will descend from snow capped peaks to tropical lowlands in just under 70km. Leaving Muktinath the course drops rapidly on jeep track before taking a detour onto narrow and technical singletrack that drops down to the river bed. From here the terrain undulates along jeep track through Jomsom, Marpha and many other small villages along the route. From Kalopani the trail again drops rapidly making for a very exciting finale and taking us to Tatopani and the end of Yak Attack 2010. Here competitors can enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs before letting their hair down at the post race celebration.
March 19 Tatopani to Beni - 100% Rideable : 1190m to 800m : Distance 22km  Today we will have a relaxed ride as a group for the final 22km to Beni. Once at Beni we will transfer to a coach to take us to Pokhara where we can spend the afternoon relaxing around the lakeside.
March 20
Transfer by bus back to Kathmandu (approx 6 hours) After breakfast at the hotel we will return to Kathmandu by coach. The journey will take approx 6 - 8 hours and we wil stop for lunch along the way..The bus will drop you at the race HQ and from here other rides,tours or trips can be taken (for details of other rides available in Nepal or surrounding areas please click here) or we can arrange a transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Pre race acclimatsation ride details Compulsory and suggested kit Visa formalities Food and accomodation TorqFitness training
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