Category : Land Adventure Sport
Major Regions : Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu &
Kashmir
Best Season : Throughout the year
About Mountain Biking in India
If you like to venture into the unexplored regions and love to do it in an
adventurous manner, then the sport of mountain biking is made just for you.
Riding a bicycle through uneven mountain pathways can often provide you with
extreme thrills and bring out the adventurer in you. The mysterious
Himalayas houses some of the very best biking trails that besides being
challenging have also remained somewhat unexplored. It is this fact about
the place that draws numerous tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts to
the destination every year.
While mountain biking is a fun filled and adventurous sport, it also
requires a certain degree of physical fitness in a person, especially when
looking to conquer some of the most rugged and challenging tracks of north
India. Bicycling often requires a person to lift his bike and walk for some
distance, therefore, a person should be prepared to face the challenges.
Mountain Biking in India
While biking in India can be undertaken at any time of the year, people
looking to conquer the upper reaches of the Himalayas should do so during
summers as most of the areas become inaccessible during winters due to heavy
snowfall. Almost the entire country offers numerous regions for biking,
however, the extreme adventurers should head to the trans Himalayan regions
of Lahaul, and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, Garhwal in Uttaranchal or Ladakh
in Jammu & Kashmir.
Biking in Ladakh
Amongst the higher regions for mountain biking, probably the best is the
cold desert region of Ladakh. While the region offers numerous tracks for
mountain biking, what makes the place special is the fact that it remains
inaccessible to the usual holiday makers, thus lending it a secluded charm.
Biking in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state of extreme natural beauty, which offers umpteen
opportunities for adventure sports enthusiasts. Some of the best mountain
biking trails in the state are found at Kangra, Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur.
Biking in Sikkim
The exotic north-eastern state of Assam is home to a variety of beautiful
locales as seen nowhere else in the country. Biking is one of the best ways
to explore the region and understand the lifestyle and culture of the
Sikkimese people.
Tips for Mountain Biking in India
It is essentail to keep some things in mind before leaving on a mountain
biking expedition to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable ride. It is
recommended that you get acquaint with your bike in the plains before
heading off to the mountains. Ensure all the nuts are tightly screwed and
none of the parts is rusted or weakened. While cycling downhill, it is
essential to use the front brakes properly to ensure maximum control over
the bike. The cycle bar should be gripped firmly, especially when travelling
at high speeds.
Essential items to carry include a riding kit, a first aid box and a tool
box with basic bike repair tools. All these items as well as other
belongings should be packed in a small bag so as to avoid any problems in
carrying while riding the bike.
Major Biking Regions in India
- Nainital, Uttaranchal
- Rishikesh, Uttaranchal
- Almora, Uttaranchal
- Ranikhet, Uttaranchal
- Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
- Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Manali, Himachal Pradesh
- Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
