Some
adventure sports offer both thrill of speed and charm of exotic locations.
Biking in mountains, or mountain biking, in fact, demands complete physical
fitness, as the Indian terrain is very rugged, especially in North India.
Balancing act is also very crucial as good balance always helps you to climb
steep pitches. For an aspiring biker, mastering the control fact also
becomes a good confidence booster. Specifically Indian mountain biking
trails can always come out with numerous surprises which one can always
catch being unawares. While riding the Indian mountainous region,
speed-control is another thing that one should keep in mind. Going uphill
generally turns out to be more challenging to keep the speed control in mind
too.
Mountain Biking Sites in India
From October till December is the best season to try out India mountain
biking experience. Higher region cycling tracks for experienced cyclists
include Trans Himalayan tracks of Lahual, Spiti and Kinnaur in Himachal
Pradesh; Garhwal and Kumaon in Uttaranchal; Sikkim, Northeastern region,
Ladakh and Kashmir.
Mountain Biking in
Ladakh
Ladakh with numerous unspoiled areas are the best destination of mountain
biking in India among other higher Indian regions. These are a little
off-track because their high altitude location makes them inaccessible for
usual holidaymakers.
Mountain Biking in
Himachal Pradesh &
Uttaranchal
Umpteen number of easy introductory mountain biking trails are available in
Jammu, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur in Himachal and Almora, Nainital,
Ranikhet, Rishikesh, and
Mussoorie in
Uttaranchal.
Mountain Biking in Sikkim
Sikkim is another destination which bikers would love to explore. It allows
the visitor to get in touch with colourful cultural heritage and monastic
lifestyle of the Sikkimese people.
Mountain Biking in Himalayas
If you are looking for some of toughest biking trails in the world, the
Himalayas are undoubtedly one of the finest options. Here, you will find
tricky terrains to challenge and check your stamina and technical abilities.
Biking in Himalayas, apart from giving you utmost adventure opportunities,
also give you an option to enjoy the mind boggling scenery to keep you fresh
and sportive. These off-road biking trips also prove to be cheaper as
compared to other biking trails in India.
Essentials for Mountain Biking in India
If you are interested in enjoying a safe and fun ride, you should always
carry a riding kit. Keep only those things with you that you are going to
use in your riding expedition. A first aid box and a basic bike repairs is
among the essentials that will be required in your mountain bike trip. Other
must have items for short riding trips include wrenches for all the nuts and
bolts on the bike, pump, patch kit/tubes, tire levers, crescent wrench, zip
ties, chain tool, duct tape and a small first aid kit. Some of the things
required for long rides include cables, brake pads, food, water, a bigger
first aid kit, crank remover, spare spokes, cassette remover and extra
clothing. You can use a jersey pockets or bike bags to carry these items.
Major Mountain Biking Sites in India
As you plan your mountain biking adventure in India, you should know the
major mountain biking destinations in India beforehand. The states of
Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh are the major sites of mountain biking in
India. Given below are some famous mountain biking destinations in India.
»
Nainital
(Uttaranchal)
» Almora (Uttaranchal)
»
Rishikesh (Uttaranchal)
» Ranikhet (Uttaranchal)
» Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh)
» Lahaul & Spiti (Himachal Pradesh)
»
Shimla
(Himachal Pradesh)
»
Manali
(Himachal Pradesh)
»
Leh-Ladakh
(Jammu &Kashmir)
Tips for Mountain Biking in India
There are important techniques involved and tips to be followed during your
mountain biking adventure in India. A good mountain biking experience always
begins with a safe start. Safety is of course the main concern during biking
adventure.
» Make sure your helmet matches the size of your head and it fits
rightly.
» Always ride in control so you can avoid mishaps during unexpected
circumstances.
» Choose only open trails to ride and do not go into the jogger's
area.
» Before starting on the ride, make sure you have the required permits
to ride in a particular area.
» Never disturb the wildlife while you enjoy mountain biking.
» It's wise to keep in mind your essentials and your ability
beforehand.
