PANAJI: Flavian Sutari, a cyclist from Loutolim-Goa, successfully cycled up to the 5359-metre tall Khardungla pass – the world’s second highest motorable pass on July 19, states a press release.
A retired oil rig technician, Flavian (55) was part of a cycling trio from Goa, possibly the first self-supported team attempting the Manali-Khardungla ride of 520 kms with elevation gains of 10,000 metres crossing five high-altitude passes.
While Flavian was successful in cycling to Khardungla; his team-mates Sangam Patil (37) – a Margao-based businessman suffered from high-altitude sickness (bleeding from the nose) after crossing Rohtang Pass (3980 metres) and had to discontinue the expedition, and Sanket Naik (38) – a government school teacher from Dodamarg suffered a nasty fall in Keylong village, hurting his ribs. However, despite the injury, Sanket completed the five altitude passes and reached Leh.
Flavian took seven and a half hours to complete the ascent of 40kms from Leh to Khardungla. “The rarefied atmosphere due to severe shortage of oxygen makes cycling very difficult on this expedition,” Flavian said.
A very experienced endurance cyclist, Flavian has previously cycled solo between Kolkata and Kanyakumari and with a group of Goan cyclists between Kanyakumari and Mumbai.
