Nepali Mountain Bike Dreams

I met Binit about 2 years ago, around the time that I had been about a year into having started Warpaint. Binit has been a big part of Warpaint since becoming friends. From help with web development (for those who don’t know Binit is a board member and handles the website side of things for us, so if you need any web work Warpaint vouches for Binit!) to just bouncing ideas off of for the organization, he has been an invaluable resource and friend. Getting the chance to introduce him to new riding experiences has also been an awesome experience. I always feel grateful to have the opportunity to introduce friends to awesome, local riding destinations and to have them be part of this awesome community that we’ve been able to build. Enjoy reading about Binit’s start into riding and who knows, you might even see some stories from some Nepali riders popping up in the magazine in the near future! 

Name: Binit Sundar Shrestha

Pronouns: He/Him

Age: 28

Hometown: Lalitpur, Nepal

Ethnicity: Asian (Nepali)

Pets: Funcho, Chipu, CoCo, Poo Bear, Dhanu, and more to come!

Favorite song: Too many to choose from. But I’m super into Seattle grunge and heavy metal. Let’s say when I crash in a ditch my mind plays “Down in a hole”.

Share a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Mangal Bazaar, in the heart of Lalitpur, Nepal. 2016 was a pivotal year for me as I moved to Portland, OR to be with the love of my life and to pursue higher education. I work in software development and spend most of my time learning about problem-solving and using technology to help those around me. In my downtime, I enjoy adventures outdoors, cooking, relaxing with my partner, and playing music. I love shredding the gnar, hiking for a view, cooking for my loved ones, and pumping iron at the gym.

How did you get into mountain biking?

I learned to ride a bike during my second-grade summer break, and I’ve been pedaling ever since. I remember exactly when I knew I wanted to get into mountain biking. I was sitting in front of a cafe near my house in Mangal Bazaar, people-watching. A biker with a full-face helmet riding a white Commencal bike bunny-hopped over a pothole right in front of me. I was fascinated by the bike, the helmet, and the very contagious Mtb energy. It piqued my interest so much that I borrowed friends' bikes for several years until I could afford my own. In 2014, I bought my first mountain bike and started riding trails around the Kathmandu Valley. My mountain biking journey in the US is fairly new but super exciting, and I spend a lot of time riding with the Warpaint crew!

First Mountain bike in 2014.

Do you participate in this sport with other BIPOC athletes? 

When I moved to the States, I couldn't afford a mountain bike for several years. I used to ride a city bike around Portland with several of my Nepali friends. Later, I used some of the COVID stimulus money to buy a mountain bike and frequently visited Gateway Green. During an MTB festival there, I met many BIPOC riders, including Luis Flores (Warpaint trail building OG and awesome dude!). He helped me assemble a bike and introduced me to the Warpaint crew. I'm glad to say that I've made some lifelong friends through Warpaint.

Can you share with us any organizations you might be involved with that are helping to diversify the outdoors? Can you describe how it has helped you and the community?

I've been riding with a few groups like Warpaint and BikepocPNW that are dedicated to promoting the BIPOC biking scene. I've also developed a fascination for climbing and have been attending bouldering nights with PDX Climbers of Color. I hope to discover more organizations and groups working to diversify the outdoors. 

Finding these communities has given me a strong sense of belonging. It's a unique and rewarding experience to engage in outdoor sports with like-minded people who share similar upbringings and walks of life.

Is there anything that you would like to share about your journey stepping into the outdoors scene?

Most Nepali people are always outdoors, connecting with nature. As a kid, I spent all day biking with friends, often going fishing and swimming in small streams and rivers. As I grew older, I played music with different bands around Kathmandu and rarely spent time outdoors. I'm blessed to have started biking again and even more blessed to live in the PNW, where there is an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from. I'm especially fortunate to have a partner who is incredibly supportive of all my outdoor interests and motivates me to follow my passions.

Do you have any comments on our intention? Do you agree or disagree with there being a lack of media coverage of people of color in the outdoors?
 

I am truly amazed by the energy that Warpaint brings to highlighting and diversifying the outdoor sports scene. I'm pleased to contribute to the web and information-related aspects within Warpaint, and I'm always excited to ride with the group. Friday night lights and shuttle days at Cold Creek are some of my favorite activities.

I completely agree that there has been a lack of media coverage for BIPOC individuals. When people of color do receive media attention, they are often tokenized by brands, which can be more harmful than helpful. I hope to see future media content where brands highlight the stories behind BIPOC athletes, instead of using their appearance as a marketing tool.

I've seen many riders, artists, and business owners who bring so much of their culture to share with the world around them. I look forward to a future where the greater part of the outdoor industry recognizes and acknowledges the diversity and cultures that go hand in hand with nature. Diversity work is more than making superficial gestures like printing something cultural on a t-shirt or using a manta fabric fanny pack and a patch or sticker on outdoor gear.