East Nepal ... So Much More Than Just Mountain Biking.

When you mountain bike in Nepal, it's not just about the trails....indeed they are simply incredible, but at the end of the day when the trail dust has settled and your wheels have stopped spinning there is an entire new world of discovery here.

Sitting back in a quaint Tea Houses sipping a warm mug of Himalayan coffee or piping hot Thungba ( a local fermented millet drink) after a full day on the natural dusty trails is a moment worth savoring as you peer out at the environment around you and the curious locals staring back at you in awe.

Mountain bike tours in Nepal can be tailor made to suit most riders cycling needs from trails like the Annapurna circuit for those looking for a physical challenge, Upper Mustang for a real off the beaten track mountain bike expedition or Shivapuri National Park and the Jomsom Trail for the gravity assisted fiends among us.

But alas, Himalayan Single Track is always searching for new routes and single tracks for mountain biking in Nepal. If you are looking for fun riding together with real mountain bikers, you have come to the right place. And our search for trails and single track is never ending which lead us to our two recent forays into East Nepal no the hunt for trails....what we unearthed is something pretty damn special.

Pack your bikes and your bags and leave your in-habitations at home and join us for this once in a life time journey into Eastern Nepal and the Rhododendron (LaliGuras) Capital of the World. When spring is in the air, Nepal's National Flowers are in full bloom and the trails are ripe for exploration. Join this Epic Adventure into the (Almost) Unknown as Santosh Rai leads the trip team to find new trails, adventures and tourism opportunities into the vastly unexplored region. This area is our play ground and many of our guides hail from the region. The eastern himalaya marches along the horizon, emerald rivers run in the valleys and local culture abounds alongside the natural trails which cross cross the landscape.

The people in this region are open and inquisitive and are often astonished to see people on bikes. Not only that the scenery here is stunning with views of the Eastern Himalaya including Mount Everest and Kanchanjunga. Travel through Chainpur the most famous region in Nepal for making traditional silver water pitchers, around Gupha Bazaar where you can buy reputably the best “Churpi” (Dried cheese) in Nepal. The trail varies from 600 meters to 2970 meters with plenty of diversity in Flora and Fauna. This is truly one of the spectacular areas in Nepal for mountain biking….better still the trails are almost all Virgin for mountain bikers!

The trail leads us to the Beautiful greenery and rolling Tea Gardens of Ilam, nestled in the foothills of Mount Kanchanjanga. Here the single tracks seem endless and the views are some of the best you will find anywhere in Nepal! Rolling on down to the humid Koshi barrage and a romp in the jungle at Koshi Tapu where your tired legs will relish the flat ground and shady Forests of Saal. The place is a feast to the eyes of bird lovers.

The trip will be a mix of vehicle supported link trail, lots of riding and some sections of carry. Stayed tuned for 2015 when we will be launching our first commercial mountain bike tours into the region. The region is overwhelming for not just your sense of mountainbike adventure but in so many other aspects that will imprint on your soul and make you want to come back for more ... We will not spill our secret trails right now...but get ready for adventure unlimited in Eastern Nepal. 

Check out more stunning photos from the trip here

What Are You Getting When You Pay for a Guide?

It is all to often that people underrate the true value of a guide, not just in mountain biking but in any field when it comes to travel in the Asian Regions.

You should never cut corners with your safety and you should never underestimate the trail conditions in places you are not familiar with, so lets take a look at what you are paying for when you hire a guide:-

    Local Trail Knowledge – The guides ride here every day, Nepal and the Himalaya is their playground and they are can and will show you all the secrete nooks and crannies and trails that you normally miss. They will also know which trails are riding better at the time and which ones to avoid. Mountain Bike Guides generally love to ride so they will certainly have a much better insight into the local trails than you can pick up from a map. After all you did pay a lot of money to get yourself and your bike to Nepal, so you really should milk it for all its worth!

2   Safety – You are essentially paying a guide to be responsible for not only your enjoyment and riding experience, but also for your safety. They have some things you do not like better local knowledge when it comes to trails, weather and danger areas and much better judgment on these things. Having a great mountain biking experience is one thing and it’s even better when you come out of it unscathed. In the off chance that something does happen, they have the know how and the connections to get you out of there as well as the relevant first aid training.

3   Experience - You are most likely in a totally different world than what you are used when you travel to Nepal. The guide can help enhance your riding experience by sharing local knowledge about cultural, people and life styles. Cultural interaction can add another dimension to your biking experiences in Nepal.

     Equipment – We all know how much it cost to maintain our own bikes, the guide must do the same. You would not value the skill of a guide on a poorly maintained bike without the proper equipment. You are paying to be led by a professional.

5   Training- A guide does not get to his position without training and experience. It’s not like you can just buy a book…”The Dummies Guide to Mountain Biking” or something. Guiding is a high risk occupation and its hard work….harder than most people think. Our guides for example go through three phases of training. Beginner Level, Intermediate Level and Advanced Level. On top of that they have to have relevant first aid certificates, mechanic skills, the skills to ride and be on top of all the latest industry news and technologies and they have to invest time to reki trails and their own fitness, so that when you are here you can just enjoy the good stuff.

At the end of a the day you are paying a guide for his expertise in all areas and out of it you are getting a super enhanced mountain biking experience discovering new trails, new cultures and also improving your own skills….. and you are coming home safely at the end of the day!!

Ask yourself this….how much would you pay for the same service and professionalism at home? A lot more.

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HST Basic Mt. Bike workshop

The day started at 9:00 am from Himalayan Single Track in the foggy cold winter morning. It was not long before we where all shedding off layers as we climbed up into the sunshine on the Mudkhu Road, Nagarjun Jungle on one side and the fog shrouded views of the expanding rural suburbs of Kathmandu valley on he other their side as we peddled up the steady incline.

Our group consisted of 12 riders and we arrived at the tea shop in Mudhku in time for a warming cup of Nepalie tea and some freshly made Chana and Anda ( chickpeas and eggs) . Didi and Dai at Mudhku Tea Shop really know how to look after local mountain bikers, go here any morning of the week and you will meet many local riders out enjoying their mountain bikes for fun and fitness. A great place to meet new freinds and only 8km from the city.

After the re engerizing tea break we climbed up a short but steep single track and got a close up look at some traditional farming houses as we literally rode throught thier back yards, much to the surprise and curiosity of the people that lived there. Finally our trail ended on a sunny ground overlooking the valleys beyond. 

Here the training began. Santosh and Lama gave an introduction to everyone and first we discussed what is "mountain biking" and what are " mountain bikes". A good place from which to start and develop an understanding of our two wheeled steeds.

From here Santosh went into a talk about the "M" Checks and the key safety points of checking your bike before you get on and ride it. The morning then progressed into demos on puncture repair, wheel removal, repairing broken chains and basic gear tuning. All valuable lessons for riders.

To end the day we moved on to a small session of mountain bike skills and bike handling which focused on the importance of the "Attack Position", bike handling, braking and body position. We had lots of fun doing that. Returning to Thamel our trail took us down some fun and steep singletracks in the paddyfeilds, a good place to practice our new found skills....

Why are courses like this so important? Well mountain bikes are a vehicle of recreation and sport, but we can only get out of them what we put in and by knowing more about how to maintain, look after and fix our bikes as well as a bit about better bike handling and body position can help us get a whole lot more out of our daily mountain biking experiences.

The Himalayan Single Track team is looking forward to doing more of these in the future.

www.himalayansingletrack.com

2014 SPECIAL MOUNTAIN BIKE TRIP - UPPER MUSTANG TIJI FESTIVAL

We have written May words before about the simple awesomeness of mountain biking in the Upper Mustang Region. This natural desert like area abounds with trails, single tracks and challenging passes with some very very spectacular scenery along the way. But to make it even more special, in the month of May, during the Full Moon the local people celebrate the Tiji Festival.  Tiji is one of the most colorful and authentic Buddhist Festivals in Nepal and it makes a special trip in Upper Mustang even more spectacular and memorable.

Its a three-day ritual known as "The chasing of the Demons" that centers on the Tiji myth. The myth tells of a deity named Dorje Jono who must battle against his demon father to save the Kingdom of Mustang from destruction. The demon father wreaked havoc on Mustang by bringing a shortage of water (a highly precious resource in this very dry land) and causing many resulting disasters from famine to animal loss. Dorje Jono eventually beats the demon and banishes him from the land. Tiji is a celebration and reaffirmation of this myth and throughout the festival the various scenes of the myth will be enacted. It is of course timed to coincide with the end of the dry winter / spring season and will usher in the wetter monsoon season (the growing season for Mustang).

Tiji comes from the word "ten che" meaning the hope of Buddha Dharma prevailing in all worlds and is effectively a spring renewal festival. Its a colourful festvvial of dancing demons, horse back riding and racing and many other local tradition, surely an added highlight to any mountain bike trip in the Upper Mustang Region.

ITINERARY

17^th May - ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU- Accom: Hotel Courtyard

18^th May - KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING & WARM UP RIDE- Accom: Hotel Courtyard

19^th May - DRIVE TO POKHARA- Accom: Attiti Resort

20^th May -  POKHARA FLY TO JOMSOM & BIKE TO JHONG (3550 meters)-  Accom: Teahouse

21^st May - JHONG TO SAMAR (3660 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

22^nd May - SAMAR TO GHAMI (3520 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

23^rd May - GHAMI TO CHARANG (3560 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

24^th May - CHARANG TO LO-MANTHANG (3810 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

25^th May - LO-MANTHANG – Full Moon and Start of the Tiji Festival

26^th May - LO-MANTHANG – Tiji Festival

27^th May - LO-MANTHANG – Tiji Festival

28^th May - LO-MANTHANG TO GAMI (3520 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

29^th May - GAMI TO SAMAR (3660 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

30^th May - SAMAR TO JOMSOM (2980 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

31^st May - JOMSOM TO TATOPANI (1190 meters)- Accom: Teahouse

1^st Jun - TATOPANI TO POKHARA- Accom: Attiti Resort

2^nd Jun - POKHARA TO KATHMANDU- Accom: Hotel Courtyard

3^rd Jun - DEPARTURE- TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

Muktinath - More than just Mountain Biking.

For many years now the Jomsom Muktinath route has been a popular biking trail and indeed it is an awesome ride. By all means rip up the trail, but don't forget to take some time out the explore the culture,environment  and architecture of the region. Follow our journey from Jomsom and Beyond.

Most people normally whizz through Jharkot on route to Muktinath, but take a moment here, meander inside the slate paved lane ways and wend your way to the 500 year old Sakya Monastry, duck your head and pass through the Tibetan Medical centre, find the young monk with the key and go inside the ancient monastry. The walls are hung with canvas and hand painted with the scenes of the seven hells and the all empowering heaven. A twelve foot tall golden statute of buddha dominates the room and small hand carved wooden benches are draped with Tibetan carpets where the Monks sit and chant. Butter candles beyond count light up the ancient chamber and make it glow with a surreal light. Climb up onto the roof top for panoramic views of Muktinath, Throng La and Jhong. Spend some time here and you will soon forget about the twenty first century.

Look left and right anywhere you ride in this region and you will see small hairy cows grazing the sparse alpine grass. Rather cutley they are called Loulous....super cute and docile, these tiny beasts produce rich, vitam fulll milk which the local people use to make butter, cheese and gee. Look to the roof tops of the houses and see the piles of fire wood, in this region wealth is gaged by the amount of wood you have stacked up. The limited rain full in the area makes a flat roof top the ideal place for drying wood.

Our modern bikes are a stark contrast to the simple surroundings of the people that live here,there worth   alone more than most families could conceive. Think about this as Nomads on ponies trot past you on their way to Muktinath where they participate in the local traditional style archery competition, a sport taken very seriously among village elders and youths alike.

The forgotten road on the opposite side of the valley to Muktinath cavres its way down the mountainside  and over frozen gullies, passing through the timeless village of Jhong on the way. The desire to ride fast tussles with the desire to stop and look and breath and feel this amazing place, the lush green vale with rolling fields of barley, the wizened shepards tending flocks of Changra (Mountain Goats) the sweet spring scent of apple blossom and the forboding snow capped peaks of Nilgiri and Dhaulgiri dominating the ever blue sky line.... " I dont have any words for this" is what Jevi our training guide said when we ask him how he felt on this his first time in the Himalaya.

Catch your breath after the 900 meter decent at Kagbeni, a visit to a Red House is a must to experience the true hospitality of the region where modern meets ancient. This contrast is no where more apparent than sitting on the balcony at Applebee's, sipping a cappuccino and staring down the valley to Upper Mustang.

Passing through Jomsom for most of us is just a pit stop for lunch or to get on or off a plane. But to enter this region you must carry a ACAP permint, most people pay little attention to what these are for. The Annapurna Conservation Permit monies go toward conservation in this uniquely diverse eniviroment. Conservation here is a never ending struggle between tourism, local people, developers, and poachers. Take half an hour and go inside the information office,say hello to the friendly staff and learn about the flora and funa of the area. If you are lucky, ask them to show you footage of the most recent camera traps located high in the Tilicho, Gai La and Mustang Regions and witness the elsuive snow leopards, which rangers say are actually increasing in numbers.

A half an hour battle with the head wind takes us to Marpha,a village secluded and forgotten since the development of the Jomsom Road, but not a place to be missed, do yourself a favour and help the local community by staying here overnight on your way down. While away and afternoon by exploring the meandering lane ways, discover the local style of architecture of the rock and mud houses, climb up to the monastery or venture up to the hermits cave high on the cliff above, if this does not help your path to enlightenment, the local Marpha Apple or apricot brandy certainly will...a famed product of the renowned apple growing capitol of Nepal, this stuff will knock your socks off! If you cannot stay the night, atleast drop by Neeru guest house, bask in the sunny garden and devour Didi's delicous apple pie...good fuel for cyclists.

Back on the road cross the river on one of the few hand made wood and rope bridges left in the region and enter the Pine Forest to the Tibetan Camp. From here the adventure begins, avoiding the road and the modern development it has brought, we venture along foot path and rocky trail. At times we have to carry the bikes up short steep inclines, or get our feet we in the icy cold Kaligandaki River, but this is all part of the adventure and the single track that follow is well worth it! This trail too is not just about the riding, look carefully as we drop down lower and the trees change, the environment changes and so do the people that live here. We cross from the Sherpa and Tibetain Culture into the productive Takali, Gurung and Muggar Lands. The trail is beautiful and almost forgotten, the mist laden mountains loom above and pine forests filled with birds line our trail along the holy river......

After Kalopani we drop down a bone jarring 1900 meters on rubble roads, past roaring waterfalls and into the subtropical jungle to Tatopani, this may be the end of the journey, but the memory will linger long after...

This is how we roll at Himalayan Single Track...not just mountain biking, but amazing journeys into the heart and soul of a region...