The annual Tour of Karnataka (ToK), a cycling event covering over 500km, returns this year with 160 participants aged 16 to 63. Running from November 21 to 26, the ninth season, organised by Cadence90 with The Times of India, will lead riders through Shivamogga, Sagara, Murudeshwar, Sirsi, and Dandeli. Participants will be transported from Bengaluru to Shivamogga on November 21 and back from Dandeli to Bengaluru by the organisers. The challenging ride features 7,000 metres of elevation gain, said Chethan Ram, the founder of Tour of Karnataka. The event, he said, was conceived in 2015 after about a few years of developing a local cycling community who would ride in the Malnad area, or the outskirts of Bengaluru over the weekend. 'We make sure riders have enough time to form a bond with each other either during or post the ride or through shared memories of enjoying the local cuisine, dining together, and soaking in the local culture. For instance, our ride in Udupi had a show of tiger dance. This exposes the usually unexplored part of Karnataka to those from here and outside,' he added.