Sudeep Pakrashi:

Subrata Boral is not a new name in the adventure sport especially in the world of bikers. He has conquered more than 30 high-altitude passes across the Himalayas and even in Tibet riding on a two-wheeler in his 30 years’ of journey.

Now the 54-year-old biker wants to add another feather in his crown. That is climbing the country’s highest motorable road, Umling La, at 19 thousand feet on a ‘moped’!

While speaking to Parallel Sports Boral, who hails from Rajarhat area, Kolkata, revealed, “The expenditure in driving a moped on rough terrains will be lesser in comparison to bikes. Nowadays, many youngsters who are joining this adventure sport, trying to climb the mountains, ride on bikes. But many of them may not have the financial capacity to buy expensive bikes. Less expensive mopeds can be their alternative. I want to inspire them by riding on moped.”

This includes the visit of the Khardung La, situated in Ladakh on 18 thousand feet. His achievements also include reaching Everest Base Camp along with co-bikers from North Kolkata Disha Motorcycle Club in 2000, the first-ever in the country. Boral also received the recognition of his passion.

The feat he and his club achieved, climbing consistently more than 17,200 feet, was honored by the Limca Book of Records.

The recognition from Limka Book of Records motivated Boral and his mates and they added another laurel in their kitty, traveling to the Chang Chemno Range Pass, situated at a height of 20,488 feet in Aksi Chin and ventured close to the Line of Actual Control in 2008. The experience was awesome. Boral expressed thankfulness to ITBP for their support and their journey to the highest motorable pass was finally honored by Guiness World Records.

Boral also expressed gratitude to the state’s previous Left-front-led government for initiating a fund of Rs 13 lakh in total for him and his mates from North Kolkata Disha Motorcycle Club before their journey to Everest Base Camp.

Now, the biker is planning to appeal to ‘TVS’, the famous moped company for a new two-wheeler. “A new moped will help me to ride smoothly. I will be thankful if company like TVS comes forward, providing a new moped and financial support for me,” said Boral.

For his upcoming adventure on a moped, among the passes Boral targets to reach are Umling La (19,300ft), Marsimik La (18,313ft), Photi La (18,124ft), and Chang La (17,586ft). Boral had initially planned to embark on the journey by 16th June this year. However, the present tensions across the border may delay his trip.