Mountain biking in Nepal

Mountain biking entails the sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, whether riding specially equipped mountain bikes or hybrid road bikes. Most mountain bikes share similar characteristics that underscore durability and performance in rough terrain: wide, knobby tires, large frame tubing, front fork or dual suspension shock absorbers. The durability factor means a far heavier bicycle weight to rider ratio than their road touring cousins.

Mountain biking is roughly broken down into four categories: cross country, downhill, freeride, and trials/street riding. Each has differing levels of safety-consciousness with different types of mountain bikes and riding gear.

This individual sport requires endurance, bike handling skills and self-reliance, and can be performed almost anywhere from a back yard to a gravel road, but the majority of mountain bikers ride off-road trails, whether country back roads, fire roads, or singletrack (narrow trails that wind through forests, mountains, deserts, or fields). There are aspects of mountain biking that are more similar to trail running than regular bicycling. Because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance in the sport. Riders learn to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded miles from help. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.


Nepal offers some of the finest bike trails on Earth! There are virtually millions of tracks out there. Some people have even started calling Nepal a "Mecca for Mountain biking." Until few years back, visitors came to Nepal mostly to trek, climb , raft or to see the Tigers in the wild. But now, a new sensation has begun.....mountain biking!

Have you ever wondered how would it be to ride alongside some of the tallest mountains in the world? Or crisscross the hundreds of valleys, inhabited by the indigenous people whose lifestyle has remained unchanged for centuries, through terraced fields, rice paddies, rivers and jungles.

Nepal is the world's number one adventure playground for mountain bikers. From the flatlands of the Terai to the terraced hillside farms, the vertical landscape soars towards the snow clad peaks of the Himalayas, inviting you to share the adventure of this awesome landscape. The tropical lush vegetation is a rich contrast against the stark, arctic regions where winds have swept, sculpting amazing forms on arid valleys of the Tibetan plateau. Discover yourself in one of the world's greatest wonders by joining us on an exhilarating and memorable biking adventure in the Himalayas.

The long bike tours require that you are physical fit. Unless you plan to ride along a trekking route, there is no required paperwork. To do any serious biking you need a mountain bike, and a normal bike will not do.

The Kathmandu Valley has some great places to ride. It has many trails and backroads. It is a good way to visit the interesting towns, temples and Buddha stupas. It can be really interesting visiting a rarely visited traditional Newari village. To get around the valley you most likely will want a good map, such as the Schneider or Nelles Verlag map. Most of the other maps are not very good and are often inaccurate.

Many trails are not on maps and you will need a good sense of direction and will have to stop and ask directions to get around. A little Nepali can really help.

Clothing Warning Tight fitting Lycra clothing, especially if worn by women, will not be well accepted by the local people. It shows too much of the body. It is better to wear shorts and a loose T-shirts.

Equipment

If you plan to ride to a really lot of riding, it would be a good idea to bring your own bike. Good mountain bikes can be rented in Kathmandu. A bike can be put on a flight as part of your baggage allowance. You have to deflate the tires, remove the pedals and wheel, and have the handle bars parallel with the frame. There is no problem to bring a bike to Nepal. If you bring a bike you should definitely bring tools and spare parts, as you are unlikely to find parts in Nepal. It is a good idea to have a bell on your handlebars, as there are often many people on the roads and trails in Nepal.

Himalayan Mountain Bikes in Kathmandu are good at repairing bikes. Often they can repair foreign bikes and can substitute spare parts.Most of the bikes rented in Nepal are low quality Indian made bike, which are not durable enough for trail riding. Usually rental companies do not rent luggage racks, helmets and spare parts.You can rent good quality imported from some travel agencies.

What to Expect on the Road

Usually might is right on the roads and the bottom of the barrel are bikes. If you and a bus are heading for a head-on collusion, most likely you are going to lose, so it is more important for you to get out of the way. It can get very hectic sometimes on the road with all kinds of vehicles, people and animals going every which way.The pollution in Kathmandu is getting really bad, so if you have a problem breathing you should consider bringing a mask.

You should be careful around a village not to hit someone who is walking, especially children. Children can run out onto the road at any moment. If you harm a child you will definitely be considered wrong and be beaten up or worst.

You should be careful when passing animal such as cows, buffaloes and dogs, as they can be very unpredictable. A cow can lunge at you for no reason at any time. If you hurt a cow the local will not appreciate it, and regardless what the cow did, you will be considered in the wrong.

To avoid long up-hill rides and to avoid areas with a lot of vehicle traffic local buses can be really helpful. You can put your bike on top of the bus for Rs 40 to Rs 100, depending on the length of the journey. You should have rope or something to make the bike secure. You should have it lie as flat as possible so as not to catch any low wires or tree branches. You should watch your bike being loaded, so it is done in the gentlest way to make sure it is not broken. Do not believe for a second that it will be done properly without you watching it.

If you plan to take a bike along a trekking route you may find that you have to carry the bike up to 75% of the time. There are often trekkers, porters and animals on the trail and will make it hard to get around.

What to Bring

These are some items you may want to bringA helmet, cycle gloves, light clothing (Gortex or Coolmax), sunglasses, cycling clothing, bike bell, water bottle, sun screen, rain jacket, warm hat, iodine tablets, first-aid kit, electrolyte powder, flashlight (torch), bike chain and lock, pollution mask, windbreaker, sleeping bags, bungie cords (shock cords), tire repair kit, spare inner tube, tool kit, pump, spare parts, sweater and good shoes. Sleeping bags and tents can be rented in Kathmandu.

Pollution (face) mask can be purchased in Kathmandu.

Spare parts for the bike, inner tubes, and patches and a small pump.

Recommended Bikes

The 15-18 gear mountain bikes are recommended if you wish to negotiate tough terrain. If you're going to be doing the exploring within the city limits itself, observing the hustle and bustle, going shopping, etc, one-speed Indian bicycles will do nicely. Mountain bikes are available for rent by the day or longer in many of the bicycle rental outlets in and around Kathmandu or Pokhara. If you wish to be better informed about the culture, rhythm of village life, cool spots to visit, perhaps guided trips should be undertaken.