Aizawl: Mizoram is one of India’s smallest states, tucked away in the northeastern corner, known for its scenic hills and lush greenery. But on a crisp November day in 2024, this quiet state was thrust into the international spotlight when it hosted the Red Bull Urban Downhill Race for the first time in Southeast Asia. It was a race that had never been held before in this part of the world – but how did Mizoram, with its winding hills and mountain trails, land this high-octane event?
The story begins with Miller B Renthlei, a man whose passion for mountain biking has shaped both his career and his life.
By day, Miller is dressed in a black suit, navigating the legal world, working tirelessly in the fight for justice. But come evening, that suit is replaced by worn-out trainers as he hops onto his mountain bike, his true love.
Miller’s love affair with cycling began early. He remembers riding a bicycle when he was just three years old, but it wasn’t until his high school days that the passion truly ignited. In 2009, he bought his first BMX bike, and from that moment, he became deeply immersed in the world of biking. The sport soon became more than just a hobby; it became a way of life. Miller found himself riding for hours, exploring the hills that surrounded him in Mizoram.
He went on to participate in a few tournaments, in 2012, he secured first place in the handstand category at the Northeast Cyclo BHP event in Shillong and claimed the top spot in the Senior category at the 4th Assam Downhill Championship in Assam earlier this year in February. But for Miller, it was not about the accolades, his focus was on fostering the community, encouraging others to join, and embracing it as a lifestyle.
In 2012, he founded a group, ‘Ground Rule‘ in Shillong, which he later expanded to Aizawl. This initiative is built on the powerful idea of uniting under one common rule and shared vision. Its mission is to inspire and promote street culture across a wide range of disciplines, including cycling, skateboarding, graffiti, yoyo, inline skating, and breakdancing. The goal is to support and uplift one another, creating a strong community that thrives together.
As he honed his skills, Miller became the first downhill mountain biker in the region, and he didn’t want to keep it all to himself. Instead, he set out to build a community of like-minded riders. He mentored younger cyclists, organized events, and spread the word about the joy of riding through the rugged terrains of Mizoram. His efforts paid off, and the small biking community began to grow.
According to a Red Bull feature on Miller, he played a key role in discovering and developing mountain biking trails in the Aizawl area, with a focus on activism to ensure the sport’s survival. One notable trail, the Ridgeline Trail, located about 40 minutes from Aizawl on Sakawrhmuituai Mountain, was initially part of a government initiative in 2019 but stalled after a policy change. Taking matters into his own hands, Miller and a friend began to develop the trail, even funding it themselves at times. Local mountain biking enthusiasts and villagers soon joined in, leading to the construction of features like a five-foot drop ramp. Miller also fostered a sense of community by encouraging shared use of bikes and organizing rolling trophy competitions to inspire youth participation in the sport.
But Miller’s vision stretched further. His dream was not only to encourage more riders within Mizoram but to showcase the region’s potential on the global stage. Through his YouTube channel, Miller began uploading videos of his MTB adventures, sharing glimpses of the breathtaking landscapes and challenging trails in Mizoram. His uploads gained a modest following at first, but it was one particular video that would change everything.
Victor, a mountain biker from South America, had initially come across Miller’s videos on YouTube. Already a prominent figure in the downhill biking community, Soto was immediately captivated by the beauty and potential of Mizoram’s trails.
For Victor to get involved, the journey started in Aizawl, where Miller and his friend Giridhar Narsaria from Red Bull, began discussing the idea of bringing an urban downhill race to Mizoram. At the time, the idea seemed far-fetched, but they remained persistent. Miller and Giridhar knew that Red Bull had been organizing events in the state and was open to exploring new events.
It wasn’t long before they pitched the idea to Red Bull. As luck would have it, the company was already consulting with Víctor, who had been watching Miller’s videos. Victor was quick to endorse the concept of an urban downhill race in Mizoram, and the wheels were set in motion.
In early 2023, Miller and his cycling partner, Michael Lalremruata, were asked to begin mapping out the track for the event. This was where the real work began. Every evening, after work, they would head out to scout potential routes, check elevations, and examine the terrain. “We made so many maps, checking every possible location,” Miller recalls. “We even used Google Earth to ensure the track was suitable.” Throughout the week, Miller would scout potential routes and conduct test runs on Sundays.
The first official test run on the proposed route took place on August 12, 2023. Miller and Giridhar, both excited yet nervous, rode the trail together. “It felt surreal,” Miller admits. “It was a conversation we had four years ago, and now, we were actually riding the track.”
Despite the challenges, Miller remained hopeful. In September 2023, he and a team from Redbull met with Mizoram’s Sports Minister, Robert Romawia Royte, who was immediately enthusiastic about the idea. They would also have to engage in talks with the new sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar as a new party was elected in the state. The Sports Minister as well as the Chief Minister Lalduhoma were enthusiastic about the idea.
The journey toward the event moved forward last November when Tomáš Slavík visited Mizoram to explore Aizawl’s streets, designing a challenging urban downhill route tailored to the city’s rugged landscape. Slavik’s visit confirmed that the Red Bull Urban Downhill Race in Mizoram was not just a dream anymore—it was happening.
For Miller, the race was more than just an opportunity to showcase Mizoram’s natural beauty to the world. It was about something much deeper. “I knew this event would help boost tourism, bring international attention to Mizoram, and provide the youth of this state with new opportunities,” he says.
Miller was asked to come up with a name for the event, and he decied on Red Bull Tlangruam, where tlang means hill and ruam means valley in the local Mizo language.
On November 6, 2024, the long-awaited Red Bull Urban Downhill Race officially took place, drawing 22 riders from across the world to the hills of Mizoram. It included mentorship sessions by Tomas Slavik and Pedro Burns on October 24-25, followed by qualifiers and the main race on October 26. There were three participants from Mizoram.
Chiang ‘Dan’ Sheng Shan from Taipei City won, with Rama Teguh Adi Pratama from Indonesia coming second and Yawar Ali Khan from India taking third place. The winner earned a spot in the Red Bull Cerro Abajo event in South America.
For the first time, the people of Mizoram watched in awe as mountain biking legends soared through the steep hills that had long been a defining feature of the city. The once-challenging steps, which many associated with a sense of struggle, would forever be remembered as the place where these athletes made history.
As the crowd cheered and waved, few knew of the quiet figure in the corner—Miller, with a cap on his head and a heart brimming with pride. His endless nights spent charting paths and nurturing a dream for Mizoram had come to fruition, turning a vision into a reality.
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