Eighty intrepid cyclists set out from Shimla today to capture lofty Himalayan ranges in the ninth edition of one of the world's toughest mountain biking rallies.The 'MTB Himalaya-2013', flagged off by Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy, will cover around 500 km in six days. Portuguese bikers, Luis Leao Pinto, who is Titan desert MTB Marathon champion and ranked ninth in the world ranking, and Ricardo Rodrigues Martins, ranked 16th in the world, are among 16 foreign participants, representing nine countries.Both Portuguese cyclists are marking their debut in an Asian biking event. The highest point of the rally will be the 3,400-metre Hatu peak, overlooking the tourist destination of Narkanda, some 65 km from Shimla. On an average, a cyclist will pedal about 70 km daily.Jaskeerat Bedi from Delhi is participating in the event for a cause, to spread awareness about breast cancer. She isrepresenting the Forum for Breast Cancer Protection. The other Indian riders comprise 21 from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.