|
|
 |
| |
Mountain
Biking
|
| |
Home > Travel
Guide > Activity
Guide > Adventure
& Nature > Mountain Biking |
| |
|
|
| |
The breeze on your air, an off-beat
trail, and the sense of adventure that comes with being on your
own. Yes! Thats the thrill of mountain biking in Nepal. With
challenging mountain roads that climb up to spectacular views,
and adrenaline pumping descents, with quaint villages off the
main roads, Nepal is virtually a paradise waiting to be discovered
on your mountain bike.
|
|
| Mt.
Biking Checklist |
 |
| Tools & Equipment |
| |
Allen
Keys |
| |
Chain
Link Extractor |
| |
Multiple
Bike Spanner |
| |
Pump/
Puncture Repair Kits |
| |
Spoke
Key |
| |
Oil
Can |
| |
Tube
Of Grease |
| |
| Spares |
| |
1
Rear Brake Cable |
| |
1
Rear Gear Cable |
| |
2
Inner Tubes |
| |
5
Spare Spokes |
| |
Brake
Blocks |
| |
Headlamp
& Spare Bulbs/ Batteries |
| |
Plastic
Tire Levers |
| |
Spare
Chain Links |
| |
| Personal
Gear |
| |
2
Water Bottles & Cages or a Camel Back-type hydration
system |
| |
Basic
First-aid Kit |
| |
Toiletries |
| |
Wash
Towel |
| |
Medium-sized
Money Bag |
| |
Camera |
| |
Rain
Gear |
| |
| Clothing |
| |
Cycling
Shoes/ Cross-training Shoes |
| |
Fingerless
Biking Gloves |
| |
Fleece
Jacket/ Pullover |
| |
Lightweight
Gloves |
| |
Lightweight
Hiking Boots/ Shoes |
| |
Lightweight
Socks & Heavy Socks |
| |
Lightweight
Thermal Long Johns |
| |
Lightweight
Trekking Pants |
| |
Lightweight,
Long-sleeved Shirt |
| |
Lightweight,
Long-sleeved Thermal Shirt |
| |
Padded
Cycling Shorts |
| |
Spare
Shoe/ Boot Laces |
| |
Sunglasses |
| |
T-shirts |
| |
Underwear |
| |
Warm
Cycling Tights/Pants |
| |
Warm
Gloves |
| |
Warm
Hat |
| |
Waterproof
(breathable fabric) Shell Jacket & Shell Pants |
|
|
| Useful
Tips |
|
| |
Make
sure your bike is fully serviced just before leaving |
| |
For
foreigners, traffic in Nepal can be chaotic. So keep your
eyes open all the time |
| |
In
peak seasons, avoid following popular trekking routes
as you will end up carrying your bike for most of the
time |
| |
Always
yield the trails |
| |
Leave
no trace |
| |
Never
spook animals |
| |
Plan
ahead |
| |
Respect
trail and road closures; avoid trespassing on private
land |
| |
Take
special care from TATA Trucks in the highways |
| |
Always
ride on the left-hand side of the road following the traffic
rules |
| |
Take
extreme care near villages as young children play on the
trails and roads |
| |
Don't
forget to warn them by ringing your hammer bell attached
to your handlebars; or you may also call aloud
"cycle aayo!" (Cycle is coming)
|
Popular Touring Routes
|
|
| The
Scar Road |
|
A 70km round trip, this is one of
Kathmandu Valleys classic mountain bike adventure. This trip
gives you a magnificent view of the valley, taking you past
the Nagarjun Forest Reserve also known as Rani Ban. Enroute
you get an awesome view of the Ganesh Himal. There are several
restaurants on the way for a well deserved rest or a quick bite.
|
|
| Dhulikhel |
|
If you are
looking for a prime selection of the valley sights, head for
the road leading from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel. From Bhaktapur
you could take the highway, which by itself offers a great view
or alternatively take the compacted track which will take you
to Dhulikhel via the rural village of Nala.
|
|
| Namobuddha |
|
A day tour
this starts and finishes at Dhulikhel, offering you a breathtaking
view of the Himalayas. A 12km journey gets you to Namobuddha
which is a major pilgrimmage site of the Kathmandu Valley. From
here you can head to the historic Newari town of Panauti. From
here you can either return to Kathmandu via the highway or back
to Dhulikhel.
|
|
| Kodari
and Tibetan Border |
|
A
3-4 days return trip from Dhulikhel, an 82km tour takes you
to the Friendship Bridge at Kodari. For most of the trip you
have the river, Bhote Kosi as your constant companion. You will
also pass the hot springs called Tatopani which is a mere 5km
from the border post of Kodari. If lucky, you could cycle up
to 11km beyond the Friendship Bridge to the Chinese customs
checkpoint at Khosa. You have the option of returning back to
Kathmandu or Dhulikhel.
|
|
| The
Rajpath |
|
Rajpath is the popular name for the
Tribhuvan Highway. Light-traffic, incomparable views, and a
ride over a 2488m pass on a rough sealed road, make this ride
simply unforgettable. It will take you via the pass at Tistung,
the breathtakingly beautiful Panang Valley and finally to Daman,
perched at a height of 2322m. On a clear morning you can see
from Dhaulagiri to Everest from Daman! You come back via Hetauda,
from where you can either continue on the Rajpath towards India
or head towards the Royal Chittawan Park.
|
|
| Hetauda
- Narayanghat |
|
On this route the trail is mostly flat and you can enjoy the
lush subtropical scenery. From Narayanghat you can return to
Kathmandu or Pokhara via Mugling.
|
|
| Pokhara |
|
Though the trips around Pokhara are
shorter, there is no denying the spectacular views and the laid-back
atmosphere unique to Pokhara. Amongst relaxed and tranquil rides,
you can treat yourself to a panoramic view of the Annapurnas
and the Mansalu Himal.
|
|
| Sarangkot |
|
Sarangkot is visible directly north
from Pokhara Lakeside, and makes for a wonderful day trip. This
trip gives you a mind blowing view from the ridge at Naudanda.
On a clear day you can see Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, the Annapurnas
and the Machhapuchhare from Naudadnda, and even look down over
Pokhara and Phewa Tal.
|
|
| From
Naudanda |
|
From here you can head towards Lumle,
a popular start-off point for treks to the Annapurna region.
|
|
|
|
|
