Himachal Pradesh
Farewell Spiti Valley, Hello Hippy Trail
Retracing my steps from Chandra Tal I join back on to the dirt road headed in the direction of Rohtang La and the junction of the Leh to Manali highway. I had been warned the road was rough, but its surface is jarring and makes for slow progress as it weaves through a dry river […]
McLeod Ganj and Tibet
Its a stuffy and cramped bus journey from Manali to McLeod Ganj that sees the Ogre and I deposited 6 kilometres north of Dharmsala in the early hours of a Tuesday morning. A scrum of people congregate to collect their bags whilst taxi drivers and touts mingle with the assembled crowd trying to secure business […]
Chandra Tal
The descent down Kunzum La is rough and chilly, it has an isolated feel despite the occasional jeeps ferrying passengers over the pass. Taking the junction to Chandra Tal I’m blasted with rain and a fierce head wind. I stop to put my waterproofs on and what little cold weather gear I have. The ever […]
Kaza Singletrack
After a couple of nights in Kaza I’m keen to get moving, Himalaya By Bike mentions some single track in the high pastures which I’m keen to explore after days spent on dirt roads. Asking around no one is really sure, probably because very few people ride bikes. Wandering through Old Kaza I spot that […]
Spiti Valley Cycling
The cycling in Spiti Valley drew me to this westerly corner of the the Indian Himalayas, each account I read overflowing with superlatives. The only ones I can offer are: breathtaking and magical. Each twist and turn offer an ever changing horizon, gone is the harsh light and arid almost moonscape like conditions of Upper […]
Kinnaur Valley Cycling
After pedaling uphill for two days the ceremonial sign for the Kinnaur valley welcomes you to the valley. By now the road clings to the side of the steep valley walls, and carves its way through the sheer rock faces only with just enough room for an Indian truck and no more. The driver’s mate […]