An Introduction to Mountain Biking in Nepal, Nepal’s sporting opportunities are associated with its great outdoor. With its mountains, its crashing rivers, and its mountain trails. Mountain biking is still in its infancy in Nepal, but it’s catching on rapidly.
The Kathmandu valley, in particular, is crisscrossed by trails and minor roads. Many of which wind up to spectacular viewpoints where bikers can rest before enjoying the adrenaline rush of a near free-fall descent.
Mountain Biking in Nepal
Unless you’re an experienced biker and can manage your repairs (and have your spares). It’s a good idea to book a mountain- bike tour. Himalayan Mountain Bikes (01) 416596 FAX (01) 411055 e-mail [email protected], P.O. Box 2247, Kathmandu, are the experts. They have the bikes, the mechanics, the spares, have researched dozens of routes. Can even provide vehicular backup for the more demanding tours.
Serious mountain bikers can even throw themselves at the Himalayas in a competitive spirit. Himalayan Mountain Bikes and the newly formed Nepal Mountain Bikes Association sponsor the annual Himalayan Mountain. Himalayan Mountain Bike Championships held in March. The 27-km (17-mile) course follows the razor-sharp ridges the ring the Kathmandu valley, a gruelling but spectacular and exhilaration run.
Expectations vs Reality
For the less experienced, Himalayan Mountain Bikes offers Some Fabulous introductory rides. A good taster is a two-day ride from Kathmandu to Nagarkot and Sanku. It takes you past farms and villages. The Narayan forest and provides views of the Himalayas at Nagarkot.
The uphill section follows the asphalt road to Nagarkot via Bhaktapur and Thimi. The switchback ascent to Nagarkot at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) is a serious workout. The downhill section plunges 900 m (3000 ft) into the Sali Nadi Valley and the village of Sanku on the rutted jeep track. From Sanku a metalled road returns to Kathmandu.
Other popular rides include the four-day 125-km (78-mile) ride from Kathmandu. A tour that takes you into the stunning ravines of the sun Khosi and its tributaries. And the five-day “Goat Tracks” tour, which as the name suggests is mostly off-road.
