Himalayan flair as Nepalese cyclists saddle up in Limerick

THERE was some Himalayan flair in the city as two Nepalese cyclists showed promising pedal power to visit Limerick as part of a global cultural tour.

Ajay Mishra and Bhagat Katri have visited 115 countries, spreading a message of hospitality and friendship from their homeland, nestled between China and India in the Asian continent.

They saddled up to the banks of the River Shannon, where they were met by members of Limerick’s Nepalese community - the country’s largest outside of Dublin, alongside Fianna Fail councillor Azad Talukder, and later, Minister of State at the Department of Justice Niall Collins.

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So far, Ajay and Bhagat have cycled more than 92,000km and their itinerary has included Singapore, Paris, Bangkok, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Manchester, Liverpool and London.

Here in Ireland, the pair, whose crash helmets sport the unique Nepalese flag, have visited Dublin, Carlow, Thurles, Cork, Galway, Dublin, as well as Shannonside.

“We are travelling around the world by bike with the purpose of promoting Nepal all over the world. Nepal has three precious things - Gautuma Buddha, the symbol of peace, Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak of the world, and Gurkhas,” explained Ajay.

“People are forgetting these things, and we are trying to remind and recall these three things in the world,” he added. “People might forget our names, but hopefully they will remember Nepal and know Nepal as the land of Buddha”.

Each city they visit, the two cyclists are giving away a national hat of Nepal, and two of the country’s unique flags - the only ones in the world not shaped in a rectangular fashion.

The pair have received funding from Nepalese communities around the world for their adventure.

Given they are not allowed to cycle along motorways, they have passed through many villages across Ireland on the back roads.

“It is really friendly, people are very welcoming. We talk with a lot of Irish people. People stop us and ask if we need anything, and take pictures with us,” Ajay added.

They picked Limerick in particular as part of the tour because of its strong Nepalese community, pictured below.

Cllr Talukder said he was proud to welcome the two cyclists to Limerick, as was Mr Collins.

The local TD said: “I am delighted Ajay and Bhagat decided to include Limerick on their journey. There is a strong Nepalese community in the city which you could see from the welcome they received.”

Next stop for the pair is Canada.