Wilderness Trail Bikes, Inc., a global leader in bicycle components, is proud to announce that its star endurance rider, Harlan Price, claimed victory at India’s nine-day International Khachendzonga MTB Expedition.

Dodging chickens, dogs, cars and other riders through the Himalaya foothills, Price managed to build a commanding lead throughout the 18 demanding stages. Due to shoddy organizational management the race ended up being more like a season of ‘Survivor’ with food deficiencies, tent shortages and poor medical services for the first four days. “Despite those problems the race ended up being a lot of fun,” Price stated. “There were two stages a day, one an uphill and the other a descent; each being anywhere between 5- and 25-kilometers long.”

Price rode an Independent Fabrications 29er with a Rocket V SLT saddle, WTB Nano Raptor front tire and a Vulpine rear tire. “As it turned out that was the perfect set up since half of the downhill’s were mixed pavement and gravel. Some of it was really rough jeep road but the Vulpine hooked up a lot better than I expected at speeds around 40 to 60 kilometers/hour. Plus it felt like butter on the climbs.”

Price survived the lengthy stage race without a single flat or crash. “It’s the second long stage race in a row without a flat,” Price commented. La Ruta de los Conquistadores was the other race, where Price was the first-placed American (tenth-place overall).

For more information please visit WTB.com or Price’s blog, http://boxedbee.blogspot.com/

WTB, based in Mill Valley, California, has been an industry pioneer since 1982. The small, independently owned company strives to produce innovative parts and accessories for both OEM and aftermarket use.